Deafforestation

[rbomford]

Coed Glyn Cynon

Aberdare, Llanwynno through,
all Merthyr to Llanfabon;
there was never a more disasterous thing
than the cutting of Glyn Cynon.

They cut down many a palour pur
where youth and manhood meet;
in those days of the regular star
Glyn Cynons woods were sweet.

Many a birch-tree green of cloak
(I'd like to choke the Saxon)
is now a flamming heap of fire
where iron workers blacken.

An unknown Welsh poet laments the felling of woods in Glamorgan by
English ironmasters in the sixteenth century.

Aberdar, Llanwnno i gyd
plwy Merthyr hyd Lanfobon;
mwya adfyd a fu erioed
pan dorred Coed Glyn Cynon.

Torri llawer parlwr pur,
lle cyrchfa a gwyr a meibion;
yn oes dyddiau seren syw
mor arael yw Glyn Cynon.

Llawer bedwen glas ei chlog
(ynghrog y byddo'r Saeson!)
sydd yn danllwyth mawr o dan
gan wyr haearn duon