1. Gwahoddiad
The melody and lyrics of this hymn are so beautiful, they'll touch your soul. You might know Gwahoddiad as Arglwydd, Dyma Fi or Mi Glywaf Dyner Lais, which translate as "Lord, here I am" and "I hear a tender voice" respectively. The English words and the tune were written in 1872 by the American Methodist minister and Lewis Hartsough. The words were translated by Calvinistic Methodist minister and musician John Roberts (whose bardic name was Ieuan Gwyllt).
Treorchy Male Choir sings Gwahoddiad
2. Suo Gân
"Hang on, that's Welsh!" exclaimed everyone in Wales who heard this song for the first time during the Steven Spielberg film, Empire of the Sun. This is a lullaby ('suo' means to lull, or hum). The song is believed to date from around 1800 though the composer is unknown. The lyrics were by Robert Bryan. Another song where the melody and lyrics combine to magical effect. Here's a sample lyric:
Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun
Ni wna undyn â thi gam
(Nothing shall disturb your slumber
Nobody will do you harm)
3. Myfanwy
Myfanwy opens with the line "Paham mae dicter, o Myfanwy, yn llenwi'th lygaid duon di?". It means "Why does anger, oh Myfanwy, fill your dark eyes?" Myfanwy was composed by Joseph Parry and first published in 1875. Parry wrote the music to lyrics written by Richard Davies. Some say it was written with Parry's childhood sweetheart, Myfanwy Llywellyn, in mind.
Myfanwy, by Neath Choir
And here's the moment a drinker put down his pint and silenced a pub with Myfanwy
4. Cwm Rhondda
The most famous version of this song is, of course, the English version (which is often called Bread of Heaven). But this hymn was originally written in Welsh by William Williams (Pantycelyn) in the 18th century. The tune was written by John Hughes in 1905.
Cwm Rhondda by Morriston Orpheus Choir
5. Calon Lân
The words were written in the 1890s by Daniel James and sung to a tune by John Hughes. It opens with characteristic Welsh modesty: "I don't ask for a life of luxury, the world's gold or its fine pearls. I ask for a happy heart, an honest heart, a pure heart."
Here's the Welsh version:
Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na'i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.
Cerys Matthews sings Calon Lân
6. I Bob Un Sy'n Ffyddlon
The music is by Caradog Roberts (1878 - 1935) and the words are by Henry Lloyd (1870 - 1946), this hymn is a call to battle in God's army. The opening verse is "To all that are faithful under His banner, Jesus wears a crown in the Kingdom of Heaven."
Cor Cwmann sing I Bob Un Sy'n Ffyddlon
7. Finlandia/Dros Gymru'n Gwlad
Finlandia the music is, of course, by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The Welsh words were written by Lewis Valentine (1893-1986). And the version below is something else. If you're not already in tears, you will be.
Dros Gymru'n Gwlad by John Eifion a Côr Penyberth
8. Ar Hyd y Nos
This folk song was first recorded in Edward Jones' Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1784. The Welsh lyrics were written by John Ceiriog Hughes, and have been translated into several languages, including English.
Bryn Terfel sings Ar Hyd y Nos
