2. Dai the Dap sits with his Karaoke machine and starts singing "My hen laid a haddock...". He's trying to sing the first line of the Welsh National Anthem. What is the proper first line - which also includes the title of the Anthem?
From Quiz Dai the Dap sings a daffy Welsh rap
Answer:
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau
"Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" was written in 1856 by Evan James from Pontypridd. The tune, known as "Glan Rhondda" (the banks of the Rhondda - the valley in which Pontypridd is located) was written by his son, James James.
The song is always sung in Welsh, and no formal translation into English is used. However, a literal translation into English would read something like this;
"The old land of my fathers is very dear to me,
The land of poets and singers, renowned and respected people;
Our manly warriors, gallant patriots that they are,
Shed their blood for Freedom.
Country, Country, I am a strong advocate for my country.
Whilst the sea remains as a wall to my pure, beloved land,
Long may the old language endure."
There are two (and in some accounts three) more verses, but they are rarely sung.
Phonetically, the first line would be pronounced
"My hen oo-lard vurr n-hard eye" - which is where the slightly scurrilous "My hen laid a haddock" version comes from!