9.
Anogaeth i Bawb Feindio ei Fusnes ei Hunan
Encouragement to All to Mind their own Business
Geiriau/Words: Richard Williams ‘Dic Dywyll’ (c.1810–c.1860) Alaw/Melody: ‘Vulcan’s Cave’ (Tradd./Trad.)
Roedd Dic Dywyll, y baledwr dall o Fôn, ymysg y mwyaf poblogaidd o gantorion crwydrol ei oes. Roedd yn teithio i bob cwr o’r wlad i ganu mewn ffeiriau ac i werthu ei faledi ar ffurf tafleni printiedig. Bu’r faled ddifyr hon yn hynod boblogaidd, ac mae’n debyg i Dic ennill £8 mewn un diwrnod o’i werthu ym Merthyr Tudful, bron i 2,000 copi!
‘Dic Dywyll’ or ‘Dark Dick’, so called because of his blindness, was amongst the most popular Welsh balladeers of the 19th century. He travelled throughout Wales composing and singing topical songs of disaster, murder and injustice, and also light hearted love songs full of colourful characters. This song of counsel gives lots of good examples why we should all keep our mouths shut, and refrain from mischievous activity, lest we find ourselves penniless, in Botany Bay, or with unwanted children, etc. It’s a fine example of the poetic skill of the composer, full of rhyme and alliteration, witty warnings and scathing social commentary, all composed without the power of sight.
Nora Brown continues to bring nuance and resonance to her modern interpretation of Appalachian folk and bluegrass on her latest LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 30, 2022