Harlech

First Bank Holiday May 2005

I insisted on stopping at Harlech castle given that we were in area and as the song 'Men of Harlech' used to be my grandfather's favorite song.  I remember him teaching me it at some point.  So stop we did ...

Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle was prominent in Welsh history several times. Owen Glendower captured it and held a parliament there in the early 15th century. Queen Margaret took refuge there in 1460, when her husband, Henry VI, was captured. In 1647, during the English Civil War, Harlech Castle was the last Welsh fortress surrendered to the Parliamentary armies.

The road into town.  You can just make out the castle next to the 30mph sign.

The bike

Harlech Castle

The keep and gatehouse.

Anka loving my leather pants.  God I look a wreck!

More pictures of the castle can found at the Castle Wales Website

Men of Harlech Lyrics

There seems to be lots of versions of this song but this one seems to ring a bell. 

You can sing a long to the midi file if you like

Hark, I hear the foe advancing
Barbed steeds are proudly prancing
Helmets in the sunbeams glancing
Glitter through the trees.

Men of Harlech, lie ye dreaming
See ye not their falchions gleaming
While their pennons gaily streaming
Flutter in the breeze.

From the rocks resounding
Let the war cry sounding
Summon all at Cambreais call
The haughty foe surrounding

Men of Harlech, on to glory
See your banner famed in story
Waves these buring words before ye,
"Britain scorns to yield!"

Mid the fray see dead and dying
Friend and foe together lying
All around the arrows flying
Scatter sudden death.

Frightened steeds are wildly neighing
Brazen trumpets loudly braying
Wounded men for mercy praying
With their parting breath.

See they're in disorder,
Comrades, keep close order
Ever they shall rue the day,
They ventured o'er the border.

Now the Saxon flees before us,
Victr'ry's banner floateth oe'er us,
Raise the loud exulting chorus,
"Britain wins the field!"
 

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