Awen

Awen is a Welsh, Cornish and Breton word for "(poetic) inspiration". In the Welsh tradition, awen is the inspiration of the poet bards; or, in its personification, Awen is the inspirational muse of creative artists in general: the inspired individual (often, but not limited to being, a poet or a soothsayer) is described as an awenydd. Emma Restall Orr, founder and former head of The Druid Network, defines awen as 'flowing spirit' and says that 'Spirit energy in flow is the essence of life'.

In current usage, awen is sometimes ascribed to musicians and poets. It is also occasionally used as a female given name.

It appears in the third stanza of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, the national anthem of Wales.

Etymology

Awen derives from the Indo-European root *-uel, meaning 'to blow', and has the same root as the Welsh word awel meaning 'breeze'. There is a parallel word to 'awen' in Irish, ai, also meaning "poetic inspiration" which derives from the same ancient root.

Historical Attestation

The first recorded attestation of the word occurs in Nennius' Historia Brittonum, a Latin text of c. 796, based in part on earlier writings by the Welsh monk, Gildas. It occurs in the phrase 'Tunc talhaern tat aguen in poemate claret' (Talhaern the father of the muse was then renowned in poetry) where the Old Welsh word aguen (awen) occurs in the Latin text describing poets from the sixth century.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Hey There Fancy Pants

by: Ween

Hey, there fancy pants
Play the songs that make us dance
Play the tunes that make the ladies swoon
A song for all the lonely hearts
Shattered dreams and broken parts
Feels like sunny days are coming soon
Hey Mr. Buttercup
Spin the wheel and try your luck
The spotlight's shining bright tonight on you
Bring along your lady friend
Do a dance from way back when
Tonight's the night when all your dreams come true
Hey there sour grapes
Down in the dumps, long in the face
Drinkin' down your dinner, all alone
Feelin' bad, feelin' blue
Tonight the rainbow ends with you
So sit on down and make yourself at home, so
Hey there fancy pants
Play the songs that make us dance
Play the tunes that make the ladies swoon
A song for all the lonely hearts
Shattered dreams and broken parts
Feels like sunny days are coming soon
Fancy pants
Fancy pants
Fancy pants




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