A Girl’s Song To Her Mother
                                -- Hilary Tann (1954), music
                                -- Menna Elfyn (1952), words

I remember your shawl’s fragrance 
    in the crook of your shoulder. 
There I’d find leaves of the palm tree, and shelter; 
    there I’d find a heartbeat like 
hummingbirds. My yoke was so tender 
    enfolded in your arms. 
Take me to the vale of feathers to the 
    dancing world, my downy one; 
my head on your pillow, my days filled 
    with cotton grass and love. 
(Fy hudo I gwm plu, I fyd lledrith, 
  yn fabli, fy mhen ar obennydd, fy nydd ym mhlu’r 
  gweunydd.)

I remember the song-lines of the blanket’s murmur, 
     the coverlet received every year for
your labour, ah, slave of the old story, caressed 
     by your skin and the balm of garment
to hide away your pain.          [Refrain]

I sing nightly of the shawl, 
     its timeless embrace, 
how gently it raised me safely with grace. 
     Tonight is my turn to place a blanket over
you, and keep you, my mistress without burden 
     or cry.                     [Refrain]