If there's one thing Wales is famous for, it's the world-renowned male voice choirs and an entrenched culture of singing and dancing. Wales is often referred to as the Land of Song, and no wonder, as every schoolchild is taught to sing from a young age.
Taking part in an Eisteddfod - a traditional Welsh cultural competition, full of singing and musical instruments, is likely an early memory for most Welsh people. Here are some of the most famous Welsh songs and hymns that the majority of Welsh people can belt out at the drop of a hat.
1. The Welsh National Anthem - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Wales has its own national anthem, and, although it is not officially recognised as such, you will never hear God Save the Queen sung before a Welsh team plays a rugby or football match. Instead, expect the crowd to stand up for Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - or Old Land of my Fathers.
The song was written by Evan James, who wrote the lyrics, and his son James James, who composed the music - both residents of Pontypridd, Glamorgan, in 1856. The song was originally titled "Glan Rhondda" and did not come into common use as the anthem until a while later.
You may have heard this one being sun before a game - most notable is its rousing chorus of "gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad" (country, country, I am loyal to my country).
I've put together a full article with the translation and meaning of the Welsh National Anthem.
2. Calon Lân
Originally written as a hymn back in the 1890's, with the lyrics written by Daniel James and the melody by John Hughes, Calon Lân has become another well-established rugby anthem.
The meaning of the title is "pure heart", and the song's main message is that a heart that is pure, true and honest is far more worthwhile than worldly riches and wealth. You may be familiar with that first line: "nid wy'n gofyn fywyd moethus..." (I am not asking for a comfortable life...), and indeed if you start there it is likely that the majority of the Welsh people around you will join in.
Fun Fact: As evidence of the patriotic and emotional sentiments that the song holds for so many, Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour MPs in the UK sang the song in the UK House of Commons when they were protesting against Brexit and the shutdown of parliament
See my dedicated article for the full meaning and a phonetic transcription of Calon Lân.
3. Myfanwy
Famously sung by Bryn Terfel, Cerys Matthews and even Donny Osmond, Myfanwy has been called "the greatest love song ever written" and continues to be a popular choice for Welsh choirs to this day, despite being written back in 1875 by Joseph Parry.
Myfanwy is a Welsh woman's name, meaning something like "beloved" (from "annwyl"), and the song is the lament of a lover who has been spurned by the woman he loves.
Through the song, the singer accepts that if Myfanwy does not love him with her whole heart, then he will let her go. The song concludes with "A dyro'th law, Myfanwy dirion, I ddim ond dweud y gair "Ffarwél" (So give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy, only to say the word "farewell").
4. Ar Lan Y Môr
Ar Lan y Môr is a popular Welsh folk song, whose lyrics vary from version to version. Many folk songs used old tunes with new lyrics, with lyrics changing over time, meaning that the original composer of the tune is lost to time.
The first official publication was in 1937, in the Journal of the Welsh Folk-Song Society in 1937. It has been made famous more recently by singers such as Aled Jones, Dafydd Iwan, Elin Fflur, Katherine Jenkins (shown above) and many others.
The meaning of the song is "On a Beach" and it is a love song, presumably about a woman named Elin, given the last lines: "Mor hardd yw natur ym Mehefin, Ond harddach fyth yw wyneb Elin" (So beautiful is the nature in June, But even more beautiful is Elin's face).
5. Sosban Fach
If you've even found yourself in a rugby match where Llanelli FC is playing, you may have heard the song Sosban Fach (Little saucepan) which is a kid's Welsh folk song that has been adopted as the team's official song.
It was inspired by another song - Rheolau yr Aelwyd (Rules of the home) written in 1873 by Richard Davies, also known as Mynyddog.
Talog Williams altered one of the verses of this song and added four more to create Sosban Fach - a song that lists the troubles of a stressed housewife. In the song, we hear about how Mary Ann's finger is wounded, little Dafydd is unwell, the baby is crying, and - of course - the little saucepan is boiling on the fire, among other things we might find in a chaotic household!
6. Penblwydd Hapus
The Happy Birthday song is Welsh is a direct translation from the English song and uses the same tune so there isn't a lot to explain.
Penblwydd hapus i ti,
Penblwydd hapus i ti,
Penblwydd hapus i <name>,
Penblwydd hapus i ti!
If singing to somebody you don't know well or somebody older than you, for example a grandparent or a teacher, you might replace "ti" with "chi".
7. Cwm Rhondda
A popular hymn written by John Hughes (although not the same John Hughes who wrote Calon Lân) in 1907, originally for the Hymn Festival of Pontypridd in 1905, riding on the wave of excitement around the Welsh Revival at the time, although it was based on an earlier hymn by Pantycelyn published as Mor o Wydr (Sea of Glass) in 1762.
The name "Cwm Rhondda" means Rhondda Valley. The Engish translation is called "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer", but is better known as "Bread of Heaven" which is a repeated line in the chorus.
The English translation follows the same meaning as the Welsh version of the song: as people escape the wilderness on their escape from Egypt, they ask for God's guidance on their journey.
The tune of the song is the same for the popular Welsh hymn "Wele'n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd" by Ann Griffiths.
8. Ar Hyd Y Nos
Ar Hyd Y Nos is sometimes referred to as a hymn, but often finds itself on Christmas Carol albums. The most commonly sung lyrics were written by John Ceiriog Hughes (yes, that's a different John Hughes again), although various versions have existed over the centuries. The melody is found in other hymns, such as "Go My Children With My Blessing".
Ar Hyd Y Nos is famously sung by Bryn Terfel and is a popular choice for male voice choirs, often being sung in festivals around the world - for example, see the male voice choir Côr Meibion Pontarddulais performing it here.
There are many English translations, the most famous being by Sir Harold Boulton in 1884 - this is the 'folk song', not to be confused with other songs of the same name. Although it was originally a Welsh song dating back to 1784 when it was first recorded, you are most likely familiar with the English translation of this song "All Through the Night".
9. Yma o Hyd
Another famous Welsh song that will get people singing is Yma o Hyd (Still Here).
A patriotic song, it was first released by Dafydd Iwan and Ar Log in 1983. Dafydd Iwan was president of Plaid Cymru, the Welsh National party, between 2003 and 2010. The song is most famous for its chorus: 'Ry'n ni yma o hyd - er gwatha' pawb a phopeth ry'n ni yma o hyd! (We're still here - in spite of everyone and everything, we're still here!).
It has been credited with helping to raise Welsh morale during the closures of the coal mines during Margaret Thatcher's rule as British Prime Minister, an act that was devastating for the livelihoods of many Welsh people at the time
It is also thought to have contributed to support for the Welsh Language Act of 1993, placing the Welsh language on equal footing with English.
10. Suo Gân
Perhaps the most famous instance of Suo Gân comes from its surprise appearance in the film Empire of the Sun, where the child, Jim (played by a young Christian Bale) starts to sing it.
Suo Gân's origins are unknown, although it was first recorded in print around 1800.
The song simply means "lullaby" and it is, indeed, the song of a mother lulling her child to sleep with love and tenderness.
11. Mi Welais Jac-y-Do
This nursery rhyme is surely known and loved by every Welsh speaker as it is taught in schools across the country
The tune is one you'll already known - The Grand Old Duke of York. The words of the song are actually very simple, here they are in Welsh and then an English translation:
Mi welais Jac-y-Do,
Yn eistedd ar ben tô,
Het wen ar ei ben
A dwy goes bren
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
I saw a Jack Daw
Sitting on a roof
A white hat on his head
And two wooden legs
Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
There are actually a further four verses, all a sort of limerick about animals with rhymes, the last line following laughter of some sort, although most people only know the first verse.
The origins of the nursery rhyme are not clear, nor do we know whether there is some sort of hidden meaning - or if it's just nonsense.
Why is Wales Known As the Land of Song?
Wales has a long tradition of singing. In school, we grow up singing - I personally remember "singing time" happening every day. And, of course, there are Eisteddfodau which literaly trasnlates as 'Festivals'. The main one is the National Eisteddfod which is the largest competitive poetry, literature and music festival in Europe, with everything taking place in the Welsh language
But there are other types of Eisteddfodau too:
- Local Eisteddfodau
- Eisteddfod yr Urdd (for children)
- The International Musical Eisteddfod (in Llangollen)
- School Eisteddfodau (run by individual schools)
We grow up learning to compete in various categories: solo singing, choir singing, duet singing, as well as reciting poetry, playing musical instruments, and writing poetry and literature.
Choirs are a particularly strong part of Welsh culture, with many male voice choirs having formed within mining communities; today, Welsh choirs can be found across the globe, with every region having one (or many) of its own
Related Questions
What is the Most Common Welsh Folk Song?
Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (the anthem), Sosban Fach, Yma o Hyd, Ar Hyd y Nos and Cwm Rhondda are all some of the most famous Welsh folk songs, although there are many others. Welsh folk music has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Are Welsh People Musical?
Yes. Welsh people are musical and the country is often referred to as the "land of song" due to its strong choral tradition. Children are usually encouraged to sing and compete in Eisteddfodau (festivals featuring singing competitions, among other things) from a young age, and it is not uncommon to hear people bursting into song in the pub!
Why Do Welsh People Love Singing?
Welsh people love to sing because they are encouraged as children from a young age. There is a strong choral tradition in Wales, and singing hymns in church or chapel has also been popular for many years.
It is hard to say exactly why Welsh people love singing, but one thing is certain - they love it, and they are usually very good at it!
What is Welsh Music Called?
The Welsh word for music is "cerddoriaeth". There are many types of Welsh music, for example, traditional Welsh folk music, choral music, and hymns. Cerdd Dant is a particular type of Welsh music where a singer improvises a tune over an existing melody. Modern Welsh music comes in all varieties, including rap and rock.
Who is the Most Famous Welsh Singer?
The most famous Welsh singers are Tom Jones, Charlotte Church and Bryn Terfel. However, there are many more famous singers who are of Welsh origins such as Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins, Cerys Matthews, Aled Jones, and Bonnie Tyler.
What is the National Instrument of Wales?
The Welsh harp is the national instrument of Wales. The Welsh harp is also known as the Triple Harp and is considered by many to be the country’s national instrument, containing a triple row of strings instead of the one row that the standard harp has. This type of harp was brought from Europe in the 17th century, although Wales's harp tradition goes back much further.
Published: 5 August 2022 · Last updated: 19 April 2023