Barddas

[Rolf Gunnar Rolfsson]

I would like to express agreement with Pieter in basic
outline of list rules, which reflect common decency
and honorable behavior.

In oral tradition the construction of sentences in
rhyme and rhythm is for remembrance, and writing
letters of alphabet is art form, and pilgrim traveling
story can be told in verses, and skilled bard is
accurate and precise in form, equal to everyday
language and equally carrying same message, and oral
tradition of master singer is preferable in
remembrance, as it precedes intellect, being of the
spirit.

Quote from Barddas:

“There are three kind of men of vocal song. The first
is the Poet, whose function is to poetize, and to sing
methodically, according to the art of song - being of
warranted authority, of learned pursuit, of genial
imagination, of discreet intention, and of regular
purpose, to keep the memorial of privilege, usage, and
instruction derived from ancient song, to pronounce
judgment upon vocal song, to keep laudable memorial of
every man and deed that are adjudged to be
commendable, to preserve a record of genealogies and
descent of the nation of the Cymry - their derivation
and condition, and to sing poetically upon a subject
in such a manner as would be easiest to understand,
learn, and remember the song, for the instruction and
amusement of those who may learn, recite, and hear it.
The second is the Family Bard, or minstrel who is a
poet of warranted authority, as becomes a poet
according to the privilege and usage of the Ancient
Cymry; and his function is to sing domestically upon a
subject and proposition, to sing with a clear
imagination, and with affectionate meditation, to
regulate and teach good, noble, and moral usages, and
to sing love without frivolity, praise without
flattery, satire without reproach, instruction in an
amusing way, and amusement in an instructive way, as
may be easiest to learn, understand, and remember the
song. Upon him and his song are conferred the system
and judgment of the Chair of Eisteddvod of the
territory, in which may be his abode; but, in
conformity with good usages, and such as are meet to
be practiced, he must neither sing nor teach in song
what is not fitting to be heard or taught. He is a
brother in the faith and companion to a Poet, who is a
Chaired Bard, authorized by, and under the protection
and privilege of his Chair. It is lawful to refer a
domestic song to a Chair, and it ought to be judged
according to the kind of system which is peculiar to
it, for its system is not the same as that which
belongs to the extraordinary song of the Chaired Poet,
who has to maintain his Chair against his fellow
competitors, but is arranged according to its Cymraeg,
the goodness of its instructions, the lucidity of its
meditation and Cymraeg, and the facility of learning,
understanding, and remembering it, and of clothing it
in harmony and music. The third is the Minstrel, who
is authorized to stroll, to censure, to satirize, to
reproach, to mock, to abuse, to supplicate, and to
recite lyrics in a dialogue, for the sake of amusing
and rejoicing the mind. Neither he nor his song is
endowed with a system, judgment, or privilege of
Chair, nor is there any usage attached to his office
or art, further than that they are subject to the
judgment of country and law, and that he should do
nothing against them. These three persons of vocal
song are called Chair Bard, Family Bard, and Irregular
Bard; and to them belong the three branches of vocal
song, namely, Bardism, that is, Poetry, Domesticity,
and Minstrelsy.”

(Barddas Vol.II.- Privilege & Usage p.99, 1874,
Elibron Classics Replica Edition.)


Druid's Way

Everybody look the druid's way
and that is a flourishing thing,
as flower heads turn to sun's display
in the makings of a king.

Social acceptance at the core
is a higher principle interference,
where humor is a token at the door
and faery fairness a sign of intelligence.

Faery queens of beauty sprite
are ladies with grass between toes
in strawberry taste, as brides of white,
with flower powder on their nose.


Rolf Gunnar Rolfsson

Art Studio El Camino












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