Peace Poetry

Waldo Williams He was a conscientious objector to Word War II, and the horror of war was evident in his poems during this period – Y Tangnefeddwyr (The Peacemeakers), which describes “Abertawe’n fflam” (“Swansea aflame”) is one which stays in the memory.

Y Tangnefeddwyr  Uwch yr eira, wybren ros, Lle mae Abertawe'n fflam. Cerddaf adref yn y nos, Af dan gofio 'nhad a 'mam. Gwyn eu byd tu hwnt i glyw, Tangnefeddwyr, plant i Dduw. Ni châi enllib, ni châi llaid Roddi troed o fewn i'w tre. Chwiliai 'mam am air o blaid Pechaduriaid mwya'r lle. Gwyn eu byd tu hwnt i glyw, Tangnefeddwyr, plant i Dduw. Angel y cartrefi tlawd Roes i 'nhad y deuberl drud: Cennad dyn yw bod yn frawd, Golud Duw yw'r anwel fyd. Gwyn eu byd tu hwnt i glyw. Tangnefeddwyr, plant i Dduw. Cenedl dda a chenedl ddrwg - Dysgent hwy mai rhith yw hyn, Ond goleuni Crist a ddwg Ryddid i bob dyn a'i myn. Gwyn eu byd, daw dydd a'u clyw, Dangnefeddwyr, plant i Dduw. Pa beth heno, eu hystâd, Heno pan fo'r byd yn fflam? Mae Gwirionedd gyda 'nhad Mae Maddeuant gyda 'mam. Gwyn ei byd yr oes a'u clyw, Dangnefeddwyr, plant i Dduw.

The Peacemakers Rose-red sky above the snow Where bombed Swansea is alight, Full of my father and mother I go, I walk home in the night. They are blest beyond hearing, Peacemakers, children of God. Neither, within their home, abuse Nor slander could be found. Mam would look for an excuse For the biggest scoundrels round. They are blessed beyond hearing, Peacemakers, children of God. It was the angel of poor homes Gave my father two rich pearls: Brotherhood the mission of man God's largesse the invisible world. They are blessed beyond hearing, Peacemakers, children of God. Nation good or nation bad (So they taught) is fantasy. In Christ's light is freedom had For any man that would be free. Blest, the day dawns that will hear them, Peacemakers, children of God. What is their estate tonight, Tonight, with the world ablaze? Truth is with my father yet, Mother with forgiveness stays. The age will be blest that hears them, Peacemakers, children of God.