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Cigfa's Song
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From the third branch of the Mabinogion - Rhiannon, Pryderi, Manawydan and the conniving workings of a jilted suitor -
love folk celtic traditional nature world healing inspiration wales timeless winter legends welsh dreamer lore dacw nghariad hiraeth jodeejames jodee
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If i could sound like anything, i would wish it was the wind and sky - maybe a bit of waterfall and the breath of the forest ;) i sing and play guitar - some so
Jodee conjures the very essence of tradition whether of this century or those before us. Nobles, shepherds, lovers and dreamers, birds as messengers and inspiring heroes, all come to life in Jodee’s music - an unique and timeless musical journey.
Song Info
Genre
World • World General
Charts
Peak #98
Peak in subgenre #27
Author
Jodee James
Rights
2004 Halo Moon Creations
Uploaded
October 04, 2011
Track Files
MP3
MP3 13.5 MB • 320 kbps • 5:53
Story behind the song
From the third branch of the Mabinogion - After the death of Pwyll, Rhiannon weds Manawydan. Mysterious trouble breaks out - all vengeance of Rhiannon’s unsuccessful suitor from long ago - but the curse is lifted and all is well ~ Cigfa is the wife of Pryderi, Rhiannon’s son, prince of Dyfed. Guitar & Vocals: Jodee James; Fiddle: Clarence Ferrari; Drums: Tom Lenahan; Flute: Gina Tlamsa; Bass: Dynamike
Lyrics
(A mist came across the land and took everything away - Manawydan’s wife Rhiannon vanished Likewise her son Pryderi, husband of Cigfa- All vengeance of Rhiannon’s unsuccessful suitor from long ago…) Song: 1. When Cigfa daughter of Gwyn Gloyw The wife of Pryderi Saw no one left in all this land except Manawydan and she She wept until she didn’t care Her life all in despair “You have no need of fear”, says he day di day di day o 2. May God reward you greatly Her heart it filled with cheer “Dear friend”, said Manawydan ”we’ve no use staying here Let us go to England I’ll make a living with my hands There I’ll be a shoemaker.” day di day di day o 3. But the shoemakers got jealous His work all in demand They plotted then to put an end To Manawydan “Oh let’s go back to Wales”, he says “To the land we love I’ll take with me this sack of wheat.” day di day di day o And so they went to Wales and they did grow The best wheat on the earth that ever a man did sow Ai lai da lai lai…… 4. Thus passed the seasons of the year Til harvest time grew there But in the misty morning gray He found his harvest bare Was nothing but an empty stalk Standing there before him Where once he had a crop so fine day di day di day o 5. At midnight rose a clamor The loudest in the world And in this loud commotion a host of mice unfurled Not leaving free a single stem Eating right before him A multitude of mice so grand day di day di day o Manawydan sped among them – caught the slowest one He wrapped the mouse up in his glove, he swore its life was done 6. “What’s in the glove?” says Cigfa “I have a thief”, says he “What kind of thief would fit inside?” “One snatched for robbery.” And each time he went to hang the mouse A visitor would stop him A clerk, a priest, a bishop last day di day di day o Each offering him money to set the creature free But Manwydan wouldn’t do it - he wouldn’t set this mouse free Ai lai day lai lai…… 7. The bishop raised his offer seven pounds to twenty-four “As many horses that you see” With each “no” he offered more Manawydan thought a moment Then he spoke his price Rhiannon and Pryderi day di day di day o 8. Manawydan he was wiser He was the wiser one He looked the stranger in the eye The stranger came undone “Tell me why you speak so desperately For this creatures life?” “For the creature in your glove, good sir Is my beloved wife.” 9. Oh you might be wondering What man’s wife would be a mouse One put inside illusion To cast trouble all about Manawydan got his wish The stranger showed his face What ere you ask, shall be yours Granted all in haste Ending: And so the spell was lifted - it came to be Suddenly Rhiannon and Pryderi Suddenly all Dyfed was set free Thus ends this branch of the story
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