|
 The
Welsh National Anthem
"Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" was written in 1856 by father and son Evan
James and James James from Pontypridd.
Interesting facts about the Welsh National Anthem
- The earliest copy is found in a manuscript of instrumental a
choral music that belonged to James James.
- The father wrote the lyrics and the son composed the
music. The harmonies were added four years later in 1860 by John
Owen.
- The tune, or Glan Rhondda (The banks of Rhondda river) as it
was known when it was first composed, was performed for the first
time in the Capel Tabor, Maesteg, on the 1st of March 1856, by a
singer called Elizabeth John from Pontypridd.
- In 1899 a singer called Madge Breese made the first known
recording made in the Welsh language. The song was Hen Wlad Fy
Nhadau.
- Although Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is regarded as the Welsh National
Anthem it is neither officially or legally recognised as such.
- Versions of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau are used as anthems in Cornwall,
as “Bro Goth Agan Tasow”, and Brittany, as “Bro Goz ma Zadoù”. The
tune is also known in parts of North East India where it was
introduced to the Khasi people by Welsh missionaries in the
1800s.
- A memorial, designed by W. Goscombe John, was erected in honour
of Evan and James James in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, in 1930.
The work took 30 years to complete.
|
|