Bro Gozh ma Zadoù

Bro Gozh ma Zadoù
English: Old Land of My Fathers

anthem of  Brittany


Lyrics François Jaffrennou, 1897
Music James James, 1856
Adopted 1903

Bro Gozh ma Zadoù (Breton: Old Land of My Fathers) is the anthem of Brittany, sometimes presented as the "national anthem"[1] although it has no official status. It is sung to the same tune as that of the national anthem of Wales, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, and has similar words. The Cornish anthem, Bro Goth Agan Tasow, is also sung to the same tune.

The Breton lyrics are the creation of François Jaffrennou in 1897, and the music was that composed by James James, of Pontypridd, Wales, for Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. The new song was first published in 1898, and circulated as Henvelidigez ("Adaptation"). It was chosen as national anthem (and a song to celebrate friendship between the Welsh and Bretons) in 1903, at a Congress of the Union Régionaliste Bretonne held in Lesneven. Maurice Duhamel adapted it for the piano, and it was first recorded by Pathé in 1910.

Lyrics

Breton[2]

Ni, Breizhiz a galon, karomp hon gwir vro!
Brudet eo an Arvor dre ar bed tro-dro.
Dispont 'kreiz ar brezel, hon tadoù ken mat,
A skuilhas eviti o gwad.

O! Breizh, ma bro, me 'gar ma bro.
Tra ma vo mor 'vel mur 'n he zro,
Ra vezo digabestr ma bro!

Breizh, douar ar Sant Kozh, douar ar varzhed,
N'eus bro all a garan kement 'barzh ar bed.
Pep menez, pep traoñienn d'am c'halon zo ker,
Eno 'kousk meur a Vreizhad taer!

Ar Vretoned 'zo tud kalet ha kreñv.
N'eus pobl ken kalonek a-zindan an neñv.
Gwerz trist, son dudius a ziwan enno.
O! pegen kaer ez out, ma bro!

Mard eo bet trec'het Breizh er brezelioù bras,
He yezh a zo bepred ken bev ha biskoazh,
He c'halon virvidik a lamm c'hoazh 'n he c'hreiz.
Dihunet out bremañ, ma Breizh!

English

Us, Bretons by heart, love our true country!
Armorica, famous throughout the world.
Without any fear in battle, our so good fathers,
Shed their blood for you.

Brittany, my country that I love,
As long as the sea, like a wall surrounds you,
Shall my country be free!

Brittany, land of the Old Saints, land of the bards,
There is no other country that I love as much.
Every mountain, every glen is the dearest to my heart,
Many an heroic Breton are resting there.

The Bretons are a strong and tough people.
No people under the skies is as brave as them,
Whether they may sing a sad gwerz or a nice song.
Oh, my so beautiful country!

If in the past Brittany may have been defeated in battle,
Her language will always remain well alive,
Her flaming heart is still beating in her chest :
You are now awakened, my dear Brittany!

References

  1. For example, on the web site of the committee brogozhmazadou.com
  2. "Les paroles du Bro Gozh ma Zadoù" (in Breton). Bro Gozn ma Zadoù. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
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