Eben Fardd

Eben Fardd Poems

Eben Fardd Biography

Ebenezer Thomas (August 1802 – February 17, 1863), better known to Welsh speakers by his bardic name of Eben Fardd, was a Welsh teacher and poet. Eben Fardd was born in Llanarmon, Caernarvonshire, the son of a weaver, and educated at local schools. His elder brother, William, was a schoolmaster, and when William died, Eben Fardd took over his school at Llangybi. He won a prize for his poetry at the 1824 eisteddfod in Welshpool. In 1830, he married Mary Williams; they had three daughters and a son. In 1840, he won another prize at the Liverpool eisteddfod, and in 1841, his first volume of poetry, Caniadau, was published. In 1850, he was given a grant by the Calvinistic Methodist Church to run a school on its behalf. He had gained such respect as a poet and eisteddfod competitor that he also became an adjudicator. He also wrote numerous hymns. His collected works were published in 1873 under the title Gweithiau Barddonol Eben Fardd.)

The Best Poem Of Eben Fardd

Cerdd A Chyfieithiad

On level land, the finest inn,
With plenty of food and beer within
And every hour of the day
The songs of birds, to make one gay.

On holidays and Sundays too,
Beware of drunkeness, be true.
Enjoy your life, but don't betray
The good old beer, come what may.

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