Matthews learnt to play guitar at the age of nine, sang Welsh folk songs and taught herself traditional songs from all over the globe including blues and Irish folk songs. She was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra. The band Catatonia formed in 1992 after Matthews and guitarist Mark Roberts began dating, as well as writing songs together, at the end of 1991. Catatonia split in mid-2001, and Matthews released her first solo album , Cockahoop, in May 2003. Her second album Never Said Goodbye was released in August 2006. In November 2007 she released a mini-album of Welsh language songs Awyren=Aeroplane.
At the 2013 Sony Radio Academy Awards, Matthews won Gold for her popular BBC 6 music Sunday morning show, which she programmes and hosts. She is the One Show’s cultural reporter and writes and presents radio and television documentaries on subjects as diverse as Cuba, early classical composers, shark fishing and early female blues players. A collector of songs for over thirty years, Matthews is a columnist for the world music magazine ‘Songlines’, and her sing-along book, ‘Hook, Line and Singer’, published by Penguin was a Sunday Times bestseller. She is the author of children’s stories ‘Tales from the Deep’ and ‘Gelert: A Man’s Best Friend’.
Matthews has curated for theatres and the Tate Modern and was artistic director for the opening ceremony of the World Music Expo 2013. She was awarded an inaugural St David Award for her services to culture this year from the First Minister of Wales.
Also in 2013, Matthews wrote and presented a six-part television series looking into the history of centuries old folk songs in her native Wales. In October 2014 Matthews releases an album of music and poetry by Dylan Thomas as well as an Archive Hour programme for BBC Radio 4 looking into her uncle Colin Edward’s role in amassing a huge archive on this great lyrical poet. Matthews has created a cultural festival, 'The Good Life Experience'. She is a judge for the Dylan Thomas Prize for young writers, and for the Forward Prizes for poetry.
Her 2010 self-produced album of traditional Welsh songs, ‘Tir’, is the biggest selling Welsh language album of the decade; the second volume, ‘Hullabaloo’ followed in 2013.
Matthews dueted with Sir Tom Jones on the perennial winter favourite, ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’. She is Vice President for the homeless charity, Shelter, Vice President of the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts, is patron of the Dylan Thomas Society and Ballet Cymru, and is Arts Ambassador for the Linden Lodge School - a specialist school for sensory impairment.
Matthews lives in West London with her husband and children.
La Bague
Cerys Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
see'est le capon que ma belle m'a donne
In English, the lyrics mean, "It's not the ring that I regret. It's the capon that my beloved gave me."
At first glance, the lyrics may seem odd or obscure. However, they are actually quite meaningful and reveal a lot about the singer's character and values. The word "bague" in French can mean either a ring, a seal, or a signet. In this context, it most likely refers to a ring, which is often seen as a symbol of commitment in romantic relationships. However, the singer is saying that the ring is not what he regrets. Instead, he regrets the capon that his beloved gave him.
A capon is a castrated rooster that is often raised for meat. In traditional French cuisine, capon was considered a delicacy and was often served on special occasions. By saying that he regrets the capon, the singer is revealing that he values something more than material possessions or even a symbol of commitment. He values the love and generosity of his partner, who gave him this special meal. This song is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the importance of love and relationships over material things.
Line by Line Meaning
See'est pas La Bague que j'ai regretee
It's not the ring that I regret
see'est le capon que ma belle m'a donne
It's the rooster that my lover gave me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CERYS ELIZABETH PHILLIPS MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind