“All Through the Night (Ar Hyd Y Nos)”

Description

"Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee, All through the night. Guardian angels God will send thee, All through the night." The singer watches over the child while the world sleeps. (The (dying?) child/lover is wished to heaven)

Notes

That this song is originally Welsh is not doubted. The English translation is sometimes credited to Sir Harold Boulton, but Fuld notes that there is no standard English translation. The 1784 version in Jones is not by Boulton. - RBW

There seem to be several versions of the song with various plots. In one, the child -- or possibly a dead lover -- is mourned; another is a Christmas carol. - PJS

Recordings

  • Shannon Four, "All Through the Night" (Victor 19413, 1924)

References

  1. Silber-FSWB, p. 410, "All Through the Night" (1 text)
  2. Fuld-WFM, p. 410, "All Through the Night"
  3. DT, THRUNITE* THRUNIT2*
  4. BI, FDWB410B

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1784 (Edward Jones, "Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards")
Keywords: lullaby death love
Found in: Wales