"An Alarc'h" ("The Swan") is a Breton traditional song. It is found in the 1839 collection Barzaz Breiz. It tells of the return from exile in England of the Breton prince Jean de Montfort (known as "The Swan of Montfort") and his defeat of the French army under Bertrand du Guesclin in 1379. It has been recorded by, amongst others, Alan Stivell and Gilles Servat.
Contents
The Scottish folk song "The Twa Corbies", a variation of the English song "The Three Ravens", was set to the tune of "An Alarc'h" by R.M. Blythman.
Lyrics
(From the Barzaz Breiz of 1839)
Eunn alarc'h, eunn alarc'h tre-mor (×2)
War lein tour moal kastell Armor!
Dinn, dinn, daon! dann emgann! dann emgann!
Oh! Dinn, dinn, daon! d'ann emgann a eann!
Neventi vad d'ar Vretoned!
Ha malloz-ru d'ar C'hallaoued!
Dinn, dinn, daon! d'ann emgann! d'ann emgann! etc.
Erru eul lestr, e pleg ar mor,
He weliou gwenn gant han digor;
Digouet ann otrou Iann endro,
Digouet eo da ziwall he vro;
D'hon diwall doc'h ar C'hallaoued,
A vac'hom war ar Vretoned.
Ken e losker eur iouaden,
A ra d'an od eur grenaden;
Ken a zon ar meneiou Laz;
Ha froen, ha drid ar gazek c'hlas;
Ken a gan laouen ar c'hleier,
Kant leo tro-war-dro, e peb ker.
Deut e ann heol, deut e ann han;
Deut e endro ann otrou Iann!