Welsh National Anthem

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

The Welsh National Anthem
Sometimes in English it is called ‘Land of my Fathers’

1856 Composer James James, and his Father Evan James, lyricist. They lived in a pub in Pontypridd, a town in the heart of the Rhondda valley.

Many translations are available but this one is more poetic in form.

National anthem

The land of my fathers is dear unto me,
Old land where the minstrels are honoured and free:
Its warring defenders, so gallant and brave,
For freedom their life's blood they gave

Land!,Land!,True I am to my land!
While seas secure,
this land so pure,
O may our old language endure.


Hen wlad fy nhadau was also the first Welsh-language song recorded when Madge Breese sang it on 11 March 1899, for the Gramophone Company, as part of the first recording in the Welsh language – the Gramophone Company was parent of HMV.

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.

Full text of Welsh National Anthem

The passion of identity with the land with the very earth and rivers was a starting point for our conversations each day. Using technology and the internet I showed video pieces of Welsh Male Voice Choirs singing the famous National Anthem.
Video links Anthem Myfanwy
A student brought in a copy of a CD from Friulia with very similar choir singing of the mountains of Northern Italian Alps region.

Learning methodology centred on the use of I.T to give a focus on culture and music of Wales.