Hymns & Arias

Rhondda Cynon Taf is the source for two of the most iconic pieces of Welsh music ever performed.

The Welsh National Anthem, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ was written by Evan and James James in Pontypridd. The melody, originally known as ‘Glan Rhondda (Banks of the Rhondda) was written in 1856 by James James as a melody for dancing to in his public house in Pontypridd. After its performance in the Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858 the song was published with its more famous title and its popularity grew. Today Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is performed at major Welsh cultural and sporting events - it was the Welsh who introduced the traditional anthems before an international rugby match as a response to the intimidating New Zealand Haka. It hasn’t always worked.

Cwm Rhondda is perhaps the best known of the Welsh hymns. Often known colloquially as ‘Bread of Heaven’ or correctly as ‘Guide Me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah (sometimes ‘Redeemer’). Written by John Hughes, it was first sung in the Easter Cymanfa Ganu in Capel Rhondda, Hopkinstown. The hymn will always be linked to Welsh rugby but various versions of the tune are often heard at football matches as well. With very different lyrics.

Did you know?

Versions of the Welsh National Anthem ‘Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ are used as an anthem in Cornwall ‘Bro Goth Agan Tasow (Dear Land of Our Fathers)’ and in Brittany ‘Bro Gozh ma Zadoù (Old Land of My Fathers)’

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