Wales is rightly proud of its singing heritage. Song, both religious and secular, is hugely important to the Welsh culture \u2013 not for nothing is it often known as the Land of Song. In particular, choral music is an essential part of the country\u2019s musical repertoire, with many Welsh choirs famed around the world.<\/p>\n

Five of the best\u2026Welsh composers!<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
Best Irish folk songs: 6 beautiful, traditional Irish songs you can\u2019t help singing along to<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
5 classic Scottish songs you can\u2019t help loving<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
12 of the best classical English songs<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Best Welsh songs<\/h2>\n
\u2018We\u2019ll Keep a Welcome (in the Hillsides)\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p>The music for this popular song was composed in 1940 by Welsh songwriter and entertainer Mai Jones, while the words came from lyricists Lyn Joshua and Jimmy Harper. Originally introduced for the wartime BBC radio variety show <em>Welsh Rarebit<\/em>, the song has retained strong associations with Wales.<\/p>\n<p>Originally broadcast on the BBC Forces Programme, <em>Welsh Rarebit <\/em> was aimed at Welsh people serving in the armed forces during World War II. <em>We\u2019ll Keep a Welcome<\/em> was written as the closing music for each episode.<\/p>\n<p><em>Welsh Rarebit<\/em> was later transferred to the BBC Light Programme, where it became the most popular show in 1949. <em>We\u2019ll Keep a Welcome<\/em> rapidly became a popular postwar song: indeed, by the 1950s, the song was sometimes referred to as \u201cWales\u2019 second national anthem\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The song got its first and second recordings during 1949. Later, in 1956, the great Welsh singer, present and comedian Harry Secombe also recorded a version.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u2018Sosban Fach\u2019 (\u2018Little Saucepan\u2019)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<iframe title=\"""Sosban\" fach=\"\" welsh=\"\" folk=\"\" song=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cilThfDX66A?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>A traditional Welsh\u00a0folk\u00a0song, <em>Sosban Fach<\/em> (or \u2018Little Saucepan\u2019) is a well-known and much-loved Welsh language song. A\u00a0 domestic vignette involving an overstretched housewife, a crying baby and a little pan boiling over the fire, the song has close associations with the rugby union club Llanelli RFC and, more recently, the Scarlets regional rugby side.<\/p>\n<p>Those links came about through Llanelli\u2019s tin plating industry: generations of saucepans and other kitchen utensils were tin-plated in the town and then sold on to the British public. The town\u2019s industry, and its most famous song, are also remembered in the Scarlets\u2019 official magazine, <em>Sosban<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Renowned Welsh bass-baritone <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/bryn-terfel\/"\">Bryn Terfel<\/a>\u00a0recorded the song on his 2000 album\u00a0<em>We\u2019ll Keep a Welcome.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Welcome-Terfel-Orchestra-National-Gareth\\\/dp\\\/B00004XRY8\\\/ref=sr_1_1","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"5.6-10.4","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3><strong>\u2018Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau\u2019 (\u2018Land of my Fathers\u2019)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Welsh\" anthem=\"\" of=\"\" my=\"\" fathers=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3kUnCwV3AYE?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>Often referred to as Wales\u2019 unofficial national anthem, this rousing \u2018<strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/welsh-national-anthem-lyrics\/"\">Land of my Fathers\u2019<\/a><\/strong> has a strong family connection. The words were written by the Pontypridd-based poet Evan James and set to a tune composed by his son, the composer and harpist James James.<\/p>\n<p>The latter, who also found the time to run a public house, composed the piece originally as a dance tune. It was originally intended to be performed in 6\/8 time, but was slowed down to a 3\/4 tempo when it caught on as an anthem for singing by large crowds.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-is-a-time-signature\/"\">What is a\u2026 Time Signature?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><h3><strong>\u2018Ar Lan y M\u00f4r\u2019 (\u2018Beside the Sea\u2019)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""C\u00f4r\" glanaethwy=\"\" a=\"\" gondwana=\"\" chorale=\"\" ar=\"\" lan=\"\" y=\"\" m=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OpiKw4OoHqY?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>This traditional Welsh folk song exists in a few different forms, with various different lyrics. Across all variants, however, the tune remains the same. So does the subject matter: \u2018Ar Lan y M\u00f4r\u2019 is a love song, which also evokes the beautiful Welsh countryside.<\/p>\n<p>This is another traditional Welsh song to feature on Bryn Terfel\u2019s album <em>We\u2019ll Keep a Welcome<\/em>: it\u2019s also present on the debut album by Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, 2004\u2019s <em>Premi\u00e8re.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"https:\\\/\\\/www.amazon.co.uk\\\/Premiere-Katherine-Jenkins\\\/dp\\\/B00016W7D6","excludeKeywords":"","geolocation":true,"limit":"4","priceRange":"2.8-5.2","sid":"term-classicalmusic-114-pcs-txt-pos"}'\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3><strong>\u2018Men of Harlech\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Traditional:\" men=\"\" of=\"\" harlech=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0PhxMNinVuo?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>This famous song and military march is believed to be a description of the seven-year siege of\u00a0Harlech Castle during the Wars of the Roses. The massive 13th-century castle was being held by the Lancastrians against the Yorkists and, under Constable Dafydd ap Ieuan, the garrison withstood the longest known siege in British history. Indeed, an alternative name for the song is \u2018Through Seven Years\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>There may also be connections with an earlier siege of Harlech when, in around 1408, Welsh leader Owain Glynd\u0175r resisted an attack by the future King Henry V of England.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018<strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/men-of-harlech-lyrics\/"\">Men of Harlech<\/a><\/strong>\u2018 has featured in two well-known films: the 1941 movie\u00a0<em>How Green Was My Valley<\/em> and <em>Zulu<\/em>, from 1964.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/tv-and-film-music\/john-williams-best-scores\/"\">10 best film scores by John Williams<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-20th-century-british-film-scores\/"\">Best 20th-century British film scores<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/top-film-composers-ever\/"\">Top 10 film composers \u2013 of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><p><strong>\u2018Dafydd y Garreg Wen\u2019 (\u2018David of the White Rock\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Dafydd\" y=\"\" garreg=\"\" wen=\"\" of=\"\" the=\"\" white=\"\" rock=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8lemqAXxFXE?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>David Owen (1712-41), a harpist and composer from\u00a0Caernarfonshire, is thought to have composed the tune to this haunting traditional Welsh song. Owen was known locally as <em>Dafydd y Garreg Wen<\/em> (\u2018David of the White Rock\u2019), after the name of the farm where he lived.<\/p>\n<p>It is believed that Owen, on his death bed at the age of just 29, called for his harp and composed the tune.\u00a0The words were added a century later by the poet John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-87).<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Dafydd y Garreg Wen\u2019 is another Welsh song with a unique distinction in history. When, in 1923, the BBC made its first broadcast from Wales, singer\u00a0Mostyn Thomas opened the programme \u2013 with a rendition of \u2018David of the White Rock\u2019. The song thus became the very first Welsh-language song to play on the airwaves.<\/p>\n<p>Performances of the song are often accompanied by a harp \u2013 an important instrument in Wales\u2019 musical heritage.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/instruments\/what-is-a-harp\/"\">What is a harp?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/who-is-the-official-harpist-to-the-prince-of-wales-and-what-does-their-role-involve\/"\">Who is the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales and what does their role involve?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><p><strong>\u2018My little Welsh Home\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<iframe title=\""My\" little=\"\" welsh=\"\" home=\"\" ivor=\"\" emmanuel=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hxLjgrU-pWE?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>\u2018I am dreaming of the mountains of my home\u2019: so begin the lyrics to this nostalgic folk song by musician and composer William Sidney Gwynn Williams (1896-1978). Williams also played a major role in the foundation of the <a href=\""https:\/\/international-eisteddfod.co.uk\/"\">Llangollen International Eisteddfod<\/a> in 1947: indeed, he became the festival\u2019s first musical director.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Steve Wright Published: Wednesday, 21 September 2022 at 12:00 am Wales is rightly proud of its singing heritage. Song, both religious and secular, is hugely important to the Welsh culture \u2013 not for nothing is it often known as the Land of Song. In particular, choral music is an essential part of the country\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":19448,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-songs-7-traditional-welsh-folk-songs-you-cant-help-singing-along-to.jpg",200,200,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Steve Wright Published: Wednesday, 21 September 2022 at 12:00 am Wales is rightly proud of its singing heritage. Song, both religious and secular, is hugely important to the Welsh culture \u2013 not for nothing is it often known as the Land of Song. 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Best Welsh songs<\/h2>\n