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 2 (source: Politics Home). In fact, the song even references Thatcher with the line “Er gwaetha hen Fagi a’i chriw” (“In spite of old Maggie and her crew”).

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. Laudamus (Bryn Calfaria) ~ Beguilio’r gwenith gwyn ~ Pokarekare Ana ~ Tom Jones Medley (Soloist – Eddie Davies) – It’s not unusual – Green Green Grass of Home – Delilah ~ How Great Thou Art ~ My way ~ Hine e Hine ~ Pan ddaw y saint (When the saints go marching in) ~ American Trilogy ~ I still call Australia home ~ You’ll never walk alone ~ Gwyr Harlech (Men of Harlech) ~ Myfanwy ~ Cwm Rhondda ~ We’ll keep a welcome Artists include: Morriston Orpheus Choir. Treorchy Male. Pendyrus Male. Beaufort Male. Blaenavon Male. Dunvant Male and Rhos Male choirs.Artists include: Tom Jones, Max Boyce, Shirley bassey, Charlotte Church, The Dragons Choir and the Welsh Television Orchestra O what a beautiful morning ~ Tom Jones medley (It's not unusual ~ The green, green grass of home ~ Delilah) ~ New York, New York ~ My heart will go on (Titanic) ~ Do you hear the people sing? ~ On my own ~ Pokarekare ana ~ One ~ Pan ddaw y saint (When the saints) ~ Be not afraid ~ As the deer ~ My way The French military marching song ~ Soldiers in the park ~ Robbers’ march ~ The cobbler’s song ~ Song of the vagabonds ~ Stout-hearted men ~ The desert song ~ The riff song ~ Goodbye Artists include: Morriston Orpheus Choir. London Philharmonic Choir. London Festival Orchestra. Vera Lynn. Flanagan and Allen. Gracie Fields. Noel Cowardand others

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”. 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 1 (source: BBC). Artists: Morriston Orpheus Choir, Melbourne Welsh Male Choir, Rhos Orpheus Choir, Beaufort Choir, Royal Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra. Duet from the Pearl Fishers ~ Dies Irae ~ You'll never walk alone ~ Deep Harmony ~ An American trilogy ~ Goin' home ~ Let it be me ~ Anvil Chorus ~ Miserere ~ Cadwn O Emyn-donau Cymreig ~ Cymru fach ~ Chorus and Lara's song ~ Credo ~ Kalika ~ Creation's Hymn ~ Cydganed Pawb (Let all the world in every corner sing) ~ Hiraeth ~ Tydi a Roddiast ~ Credo (St. Cecilia Mass) ~ I'll walk beside you.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. CD1 Awelfa ~ You'll never walk alone ~ In the spirit ~ Y Nefoedd ~ The rhythm of life ~ When I fall in love ~ I only want to say CD3 Ave Maria ~ Divine Brahma ~ Cymru fach ~ Niaros ~ Pan ddau y sant ~ Stars ~ There is a balm ~ Rise up shepherd ~ Jesus Christ superstar ~ Glory of Israel 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”.