A Welsh Carol
December 15, 2023
THE OPERA singer Bryn Terfel sings with great restraint and feeling the gentle, soothing Welsh song “Ar Hyd y Nos,” or ‘All Through the Night,” often sung at Christmas time. This recording with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra is the most beautiful performance of this song I have ever heard.
An English translation by A. G. Prys-Jones:
Ev’ry star in heaven is singing
All through the night,
Hear the glorious music ringing
All through the night.
Songs of sweet ethereal lightness
Wrought in realms of peace and whiteness;
See, the dark gives way to brightness
All through the night.
Look, my love, the stars are smiling
All through the night.
Lighting, soothing and beguiling
Earth’s sombre plight:
So, when age brings grief and sorrow,
From each other we can borrow
Faith in our sublime tomorrow,
All through the night.
