Cyfri'r Geifr

Cyfri'r Geifr (English: Counting the Goats) is a Welsh folk song. Both the tune and the words are traditional and have developed over the centuries.

The song begins at a slow pace but the speed is increased with each new verse. The first four lines are repeated before each new goat is counted. Further choruses can be added by choosing a new colour for the goat. For a real tongue twister, each verse is often

sung twice, doubling the speed the second time through. A pink goat is usually used for the last verse, as it is almost impossible to sing properly at any speed. The song is a popular test-piece in choral competitions and has been recorded by many singers and choirs.

Although up to sixteen version of the song have been identified, mainly regional, this version is the most common.

Lyrics

Oes gafr eto? Oes heb ei godro? Ar y creigiau geirwon Mae’r hen afr yn crwydro. Gafr wen, wen, wen. Ie fin wen, finwen, finwen. Foel gynffon wen, foel gynffon wen, Ystlys wen a chynffon. Wen, wen, wen. Gafr ddu, ddu, ddu. Ie finddu, finddu, finddu. Foel gynffon ddu, foel gynffon ddu, Ystlys ddu a chynffon. Ddu, ddu, ddu. Gafr goch, goch, goch. Ie fin goch, fin goch, fin goch. Foel gynffon goch, foel gynffon goch, Ystlys goch a chynffon. Goch, goch, goch. Gafr las, las, las. Ie fin las, fin las, fin las. Foel gynffonlas, foel gynffonlas, Ystlys las a chynffon. Las, las, las. And, traditionally, in the last verse the goat is always pink... Gafr binc, binc, binc. Ie fin binc, fin binc, fin binc. Foel gynffonbinc, foel gynffonbinc, Ystlys binc a chynffon. Binc, binc, binc.

Is there another goat? That's not been milked? On the craggy rocks The old goat is wandering. A white, white, white goat, Yes a white lip, white lip, white lip, A white tail, white tail A white flank and tail, White, white, white. A black, black, black goat, Yes a black lip, black lip, black lip, A black tail,black tail. A black flank and tail, Black, black, black. A red, red, red goat, Yes a red lip, red lip, red lip, A red tail, red tail. A red flank and tail, Red, red, red. A blue, blue, blue goat, Yes a blue lip, blue lip, blue lip, A blue tail, blue tail. A blue flank and tail, Blue, blue, blue. A pink, pink, pink goat, Yes a pink lip, pink lip, pink lip, A pink tail, pink tail. A pink flank and tail, Pink, pink, pink.

External links

• Youtube version accompanied by a harp!