Wales has a long and proud tradition of song, both religious and secular. Not for nothing is it known as the \u2018Land of Song\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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More of your favourite hymns<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe best school hymns that we loved to sing<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
Best hymns for Thanksgiving<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
Best funeral hymns: 6 choices for expressing grief and hope<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
The best hymns for Remembrance Sunday<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
What are the best and most popular Welsh hymns?<\/h2>\n
\u2018Guide Me, O Thou Greet Redeemer\u2019 (\u2018Bread of Heaven\u2019)<\/h3>\n\n<p>This rousing hymn, often known as Wales\u2019 second national anthem (the official anthem is <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/welsh-national-anthem-lyrics\/"\"><strong>\u2018Land of My Fathers\u2019 \/ \u2018Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau\u2019<\/strong>)<\/a>, \u2018Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer\u2019 is a hymn written by the great Welsh hymnist William Williams (1717-1791), with a tune (known as \u2018Cwm Rhondda\u2019) by John Hughes (1873\u20131932) in 1907.<\/p>\n<p>Both the tune and hymn are often popularly known as \u2018Bread of Heaven\u2019, as that phrase is repeated often during the hymn and is one of the <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-hymns-of-all-time\/"\">best hymns of all time<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-are-the-lyrics-to-guide-me-o-thou-great-redeemer-bread-of-heaven\/"\"><strong>lyrics to \u2018Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer\u2019<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Welsh also love to sing it at rugby matches as well so we named it one of the <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/best-rugby-songs\/"\">best rugby songs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>\u2018Cymru Fach\u2019 (\u2018Dearest Wales\u2019)<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Katherine\" jenkins=\"\" cymru=\"\" fach=\"\" wales=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0lLtoOcF6og?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>The title of this patriotic song is best translated into English as \u2018Dear (or Dearest) Wales\u2019.\u00a0 The lyrics were written in 1927 by Howell Elvett Lewis, a minister and hymn writer. The music was composed by David Richards.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>\u2018Hyfrydol\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<iframe title=\""Alleluya,\" sing=\"\" to=\"\" jesus=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FTrClYH1Yw4?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>Meaning \u2018delightful\u2019, \u2018pleasant\u2019 or \u2018melodious\u2019, this beautiful Welsh hymn tune has been pressed into service for various lyrics. Composed by Rowland Prichard, it was originally published in the composer\u2019s handbook to the children\u2019s songbook <em>Cyfaill y Cantorion<\/em> (\u2018The Singers\u2019 Friend\u2019) in 1844.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Hyfrydol\u2019 has been used as a setting for various hymns, including William Chatterton Dix\u2019s hymn \u2018Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!\u2019 and two hymns by <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/who-was-charles-wesley\/"\">Charles Wesley<\/a><\/strong>: \u2018Love Divine, All Loves Excelling\u2019 and \u2018Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/lord-divine-all-loves-excelling-lyrics\/"\"><strong>words to \u2018Love Divine, All Loves Excelling\u2019<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<div>\n<ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/welsh-songs\/"\">Welsh songs: 7 traditional Welsh folk songs you can\u2019t help singing along to<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/five-bestwelsh-composers\/"\">Five of the best\u2026Welsh composers!<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/men-of-harlech-lyrics\/"\">What are the lyrics to \u2018Men of Harlech\u2019?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><p>Other hymns to use the \u2018Hyfrydol\u2019 melody include Francis Harold Rowley\u2019s \u2018I Will Sing the Wondrous Story\u2019 (1886) and\u00a0Philip Bliss\u2019s \u2018I Will Sing of My Redeemer\u2019, from 1876.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u2018Bro Aber\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n<iframe title=\"""O\" tyred=\"\" i=\"\" gwaredu=\"\" iesu=\"\" da=\"\" aber=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M_lVsgPOguY?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>This hymn, with a tune composed by John Haydn Phillips, <a href=\""https:\/\/nation.cymru\/culture\/huw-edwards-reveals-wales-top-ten-hymns\/"\"><strong>came top in a poll to find Wales\u2019 favourite hymn<\/strong><\/a>. It begins: \u2018O tyred i\u2019n gwaredu, Iesu da\u2019 (\u2018O Christ now come and save us, save us, Lord\u2019).<\/p>\n<h3>\u2018In Memoriam\u2019<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Welsh\" tune=\"\" memoriam=\"\" st=\"\" nicholas=\"\" church=\"\" nicholaston=\"\" gower=\"\" peninsula=\"\" swansea=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oZ7RPQqtQ9o?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>This hymn tune by Welsh composer Caradog Roberts (1878-1935) has been used as a setting for hymns including \u2018Arglwydd Iesu, arwain f\u2019enaid\u2019 (\u2018Lord Jesus, Guide My Soul\u2019) and \u2018Jesus, from thy Servants taken\u2019.<\/p>\n<h3>\u2018Gwahoddiad\u2019<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""I\" am=\"\" coming=\"\" lord=\"\" sung=\"\" in=\"\" welsh=\"\" with=\"\" added=\"\" english=\"\" lyrics=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NAtRQCGT5Yo?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>Meaning \u2018invitation\u2019 in Welsh, this hymn is also known as \u2018<span title=\""Welsh-language\" text=\"\">Arglwydd Dyma Fi\u2019<\/span> (\u2018Lord, Here I Am\u2019). Some will also know the hymn by its first line, \u2018<span title=\""Welsh-language\" text=\"\">Mi glywaf dyner lais\u2019 (\u2018I hear a gentle voice\u2019). <\/span>It was originally the English-language <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/gospel-music-guide\/"\">gospel<\/a><\/strong> song \u2018I Am Coming, Lord\u2019, which begins \u2018I hear thy welcome voice\u2019. Words and tune alike were written in 1872 by the American Methodist minister and gospel songwriter Lewis Hartsough (1828-1919).<\/p>\n<h3>\u2018Arwelfa\u2019<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Cor\" y=\"\" penrhyn=\"\" arwelfa=\"\" male=\"\" voice=\"\" choir=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wr9mV2YPrRk?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>This lovely tune is another from the pen of John Hughes, he of \u2018Bread of Heaven\u2019 above. What\u2019s more, this is another instance of a tune being set to various different lyrics, including \u2018Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing\u2019 and \u2018Arglwydd, gad im\u2019 dawal orphwys\u2019 (\u2018Lord, Let Me Rest in Peace\u2019).<\/p>\n<h3>\u2018Tydi a roddaist\u2019 (\u2018Thou Gavest\u2019)<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Treorchy\" male=\"\" choir=\"\" singing=\"\" a=\"\" roddaist=\"\" on=\"\" s4c=\"\" moliannwn=\"\" in=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oCpY7vsaFPc?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p>Composed in 1938 by the well-known conductor and composer Arwel Hughes, this popular Welsh hymn has been performed by choirs up and down the country \u2013 including the famous Treorchy Male Choir, as seen above. The lyrics, meanwhile, were originally a poem by Thomas Rowland Hughes, twice a winner of the Chair at the National Eisteddfod.<\/p>\n<section class=\""highlight\"><div class=\""highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> \n<ul><li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/worlds-best-choirs\/"\">10 best choirs in the world<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/the-best-cathedral-and-abbey-choirs-across-the-uk\/"\">The best cathedral and abbey choirs across the UK<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/the-sixteens-best-christmas-recordings\/"\">The Sixteen\u2019s best Christmas recordings<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <\/section><p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Find the <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/tag\/famous-hymn-lyrics\/"\">lyrics to some of your favourite hymns<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Steve Wright Published: Thursday, 29 September 2022 at 12:00 am Wales has a long and proud tradition of song, both religious and secular. Not for nothing is it known as the \u2018Land of Song\u2019. Elsewhere on the website, we looked at some of the very finest and most rousing Welsh songs: here, we\u2019ve chosen […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":19975,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales.jpg",1882,1255,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/welsh-hymns-the-most-beautiful-religious-songs-from-wales.jpg",1882,1255,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: Thursday, 29 September 2022 at 12:00 am Wales has a long and proud tradition of song, both religious and secular. Not for nothing is it known as the \u2018Land of Song\u2019. Elsewhere on the website, we looked at some of the very finest and most rousing Welsh songs: here, we\u2019ve chosen…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/19974"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}