Free Welsh nursery rhyme printable
Gee Ceffyl Bach: Welsh Lyrics, English Meaning and A4 Poster
Gee Ceffyl Bach is a lively traditional Welsh nursery rhyme about two riders travelling over a mountain on a little horse. This free bilingual poster gives children a short, memorable introduction to Welsh words through rhythm, movement and repetition.
Designed for A4 portrait printing. In your printer settings, select A4, portrait and 100% scale or “actual size”.
What does Gee Ceffyl Bach mean?
The title is usually understood as “Gee up, little horse”. The rhyme imagines a small horse carrying two people over a mountain to gather nuts. Their journey reaches a river where the stones are slippery, and the pair fall down. That final tumble makes the song especially suited to actions: children can pretend to ride, point upwards for the mountain and gently drop their hands or crouch at the ending.
The English wording on this poster is a fresh, child-friendly translation rather than a singable replacement for the Welsh. Its purpose is to help parents, carers and teachers understand the scene while keeping the Welsh verse at the centre of the activity. As with many traditional songs, families may know slightly different spellings, punctuation or endings.
Welsh lyrics
Gee ceffyl bach yn cario ni’n dau,
Dros y mynydd i hela cnau,
Dŵr yn yr afon a’r cerrig yn slic,
Cwympo ni’n dau, wel dyna i chi dric!
English translation
Gee up, little horse, carrying both of us,
Over the mountain to gather nuts,
Water in the river and the stones are slippery,
We both tumble down—well, there’s a trick!
Useful Welsh words in the rhyme
| Welsh | English | Simple learning idea |
|---|---|---|
| ceffyl bach | little horse | Pretend to hold reins. |
| ni’n dau | the two of us / us both | Hold up two fingers. |
| mynydd | mountain | Make a mountain shape with both hands. |
| cnau | nuts | Pretend to gather small objects. |
| afon | river | Move one hand like flowing water. |
| cerrig | stones | Point to imaginary stepping stones. |
How to use this Welsh rhyme with young children
Begin by reading one Welsh line at a time and letting children echo it. There is no need to explain every grammatical detail. At nursery and early primary age, hearing the sound pattern and joining in confidently are more important than producing a perfect translation. Repeat the rhyme slowly, then try it again with a steady riding beat made by tapping knees.
For an EYFS or Foundation Learning activity, place the poster where children can see it during group time. Add four simple actions—riding, mountain, river and falling—and use the same actions each time. Consistency helps children connect spoken Welsh with meaning. The short verse can also support listening, turn-taking, rhythm and gross motor movement.
At home, the printable can become part of a small Welsh-language routine. Sing it before a walk, use a toy horse to act out the journey or look for a mountain, water and stones in the picture. Older children can circle familiar letters, find repeated words or copy ceffyl bach beneath their own horse drawing.
Why traditional Welsh nursery rhymes are useful
Hwiangerddi give beginners short pieces of language that are meant to be repeated. Rhyme and rhythm make unfamiliar words less intimidating, while a clear story gives children clues about meaning. A bilingual Welsh nursery rhyme printable is particularly helpful for a non-Welsh-speaking parent who wants to support school or nursery learning but is unsure where to begin.
This sheet is intentionally uncluttered. The Welsh verse is presented first and in larger type, with the English meaning underneath. The border, horseshoe, hills and river were drawn specifically for this resource using simple geometric vector lines. Children can enjoy the poster in colour, while its pale background and limited palette should remain clear when printed in greyscale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gee Ceffyl Bach a traditional Welsh nursery rhyme?
Yes. It is widely taught as a traditional Welsh children’s rhyme. Older collections also preserve related “little horse” verses, and wording can vary between sources and families.
Can I print this for a classroom or home-learning activity?
Yes. This free Prydain printable is intended for personal, family and classroom use. Please do not resell the poster or upload the file to another website.
Does the English version rhyme?
Not exactly. It is a close, newly written explanation of the Welsh meaning, designed to help adults and children understand the scene without changing the original Welsh ideas merely to force an English rhyme.
Which age group is this suitable for?
The large text, short verse and movement ideas suit nursery, Reception and younger primary pupils, although any beginner learning Welsh can use it.
