Men of Harlech

The music was first published in 1784 as March of the Men of Harlech in Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards. It was first published as a song in Gems of Welsh Melody, edited by the Welsh poet, John Owen ("Owain Alaw") in 1860, with Welsh lyrics by the bard John Jones (Talhaiarn), and English words by W.H. Baker. Since then, many different versions of the English lyrics have appeared.

The song gained international recognition when it was featured prominently in the film Zulu, although the version of lyrics sung in it were written especially for the film.

Lyrics

There are several versions of Men of Harlech. The following version was used during the Anglo-Welsh wars (as they mention defeating the Saxons).

1. Men of Harlech, march to glory,

Victory is hov'ring o'er ye,

Bright-eyed freedom stands before ye,

Hear ye not her call?

At your sloth she seems to wonder;

Rend the sluggish bonds asunder,

Let the war-cry's deaf'ning thunder

Every foe appall.

Echoes loudly waking,

Hill and valley shaking;

'Till the sound spreads wide around,

The Saxon's courage breaking;

Your foes on every side assailing,

Forward press with heart unfailing,

'Till invaders learn with quailing,

Cambria ne'er can yield!

2. Thou, who noble Cambria wrongest,

Know that freedom's cause is strongest,

Freedom's courage lasts the longest,

Ending but with death!

Freedom countless hosts can scatter,

Freedom stoutest mail can shatter,

Freedom thickest walls can batter,

Fate is in her breath.

See, they now are flying!

Dead are heap'd with dying!

Over might hath triumph'd right,

Our land to foes denying;

Upon their soil we never sought them,

Love of conquest hither brought them,

But this lesson we have taught them,

"Cambria ne'er can yield!"

And another:

1. Glyndwr, see thy comet flaming,

Hear a heavenly voice declaiming,

To the world below proclaiming,

Cambria shall be free:

While thy star on high is beaming,

Soldiers from the mountains teeming,

With their spears and lances gleaming,

Come to follow thee.

Hear the trumpet sounding

While the steeds are bounding,

On the gale from hill and dale,

The war-cry is resounding:

Warriors famed in song and story,

Coming from the mountains hoary,

Rushing to the fields of glory,

Eager for the fray:

To the valley wending,

Hearths and homes defending,

With their proud and valiant prince,

From ancient kings descending;

See the mighty host advancing,

Sunbeams on their helmets dancing,

On his gallant charger prancing,

Glyndwr leads the way.
2. Now to battle they are going,

Every heart with courage glowing,

Pride and passion overflowing

In the furious strife:

Lo! the din of war enrages,

Vengeance crowns the hate of ages,

Sternly foe with foe engages,

Feeding Death with Life:

Hear the trumpets braying,

And the horses neighing,

Hot the strife while fiery foes

Are one another slaying;

Arrows fly as swift as lightning,

Shout on shout the tumult height'ning,

Conquest's ruddy wing is bright'ning,

Helmet, sword, and shield;

With their lances flashing,

Warriors wild are crashing,

Through the tyrant's serried ranks

Whilst onward they are dashing:

Now the enemy is flying,

Trampling on the dead and dying;

Victory aloft is crying,

"Cambria wins the field!"

One by George Thompson:

1. Dauntless sons of Celtic sires

Whose souls the love of freedom fires,

Hark! ev'ry harp to war inspires

On Cader Idris side.

See the brave advancing,

See the brave advancing,

Each well-tried spear

Which Saxons fear,

In warlike splendour glancing.

Proud Harlech from her frowning tow'rs

Pours forth her never failing pow'rs.

Rouse, heroes, glory shall be ours,

March on, your country's pride!

2. Shall heart-rending sound of woe

Be heard where Conway's waters flow?

Or shall a rude and ruthless foe

Find here one willing slave?

From mountain and from valley,

From mountain and from valley,

From Snowdon, from

Plinlimmon's brow

Around your prince ye rally.

Let cowards kiss th'oppressor's scourge,

Home to his heart your weapons urge,

O'erwhelm him in th'avenging surge;

To victory, ye brave!

One in Welsh;

1. Wele goelcerth wen yn fflamio,

A thafodau tân yn bloeddio,

Ar i'r dewrion ddod i daro,

"Unwaith eto'n un":

Gan fanllefau tywysogion,

Llais gelynion, trwst arfogion,

A charlamiad y marchogion,

Craig ar graig a gryn!

Arfon byth ni orfydd,

Cenir yn dragywydd;

Cymru fydd fel Cymru fu,

Yn glodus yn mysg gwledydd.

Yng ngwyn oleuni'r goelcerth acw,

Tros wefusau Cymro'n marw,

Annibyniaeth sydd yn galw,

Am ei dewraf dyn.

2. Ni chaiff gelyn ladd ac ymlid

Harlech! Harlech! cwyd iw herlid;

Y mae Rhoddwr mawr ein Rhyddid,

Yn rhoi nerth i ni.

Wele Gymru a'i byddinoedd,

Yn ymdywallt o'r mynyddoedd!

Rhuthrant fel rhaiadrau dyfroedd,

Llamant fel y lli!

Llwyddiant i'n lluyddion!

Rwystro bâr yr estron!

Gwybod yn ei galon gaiff,

Fel bratha cleddyf Brython;

Y clêdd yn erbyn clêdd a chwery,

Dûr yn erbyn dûr a dery,

Wele fâner Gwalia'i fyny,

"Rhyddid aiff a hi!"

... And a special version was made for the film Zulu:

1.Men of Harlech stop your dreaming

Can't you see their spear points gleaming

See their warrior's pennants streaming

To this battle field

2.Men of Harlech stand ye steady

It cannot be ever said ye

For the battle were not ready

Stand and never yield

3.From the hills rebounding

Let this war cry sounding

Summon all at Cambria's call

The mighty force surrounding

4.Men of Harlech onto glory

This shall ever be your story

Keep these fighting words before ye

Cambria (Welshmen never) will not yield