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James James - The Welsh National Anthem
James James was a little known hero who created a melody that was later adopted as the Welsh National Anthem.
Read more about James and find out what sort of man could strike passion in to the hearts of a whole nation.
Read more about James and find out what sort of man could strike passion in to the hearts of a whole nation.
Three reasons to love James James
- James James has brought pride and passion to a nation, especially on Rugby Union International Days!
- James James was from an ordinary background but created some magic in his composing.
- James James was never to know how popular the simple melody he composed would become.
- An extra reason for me - He features in My Family Tree
James James
A little known Hero!
James James was born in the Ancient Druid Inn at Argoed in the parish of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire, South Wales in 1832. When he was 15 years old he moved with his father, Evan James, and family to Pontypridd.
James worked in a weaving factory with his father and then became landlord of the Welsh Harp Inn nearby.
James was a fine musician and an excellent self taught harpist. He played the harp in the public house he ran, providing entertainment and music for dancing."
James worked in a weaving factory with his father and then became landlord of the Welsh Harp Inn nearby.
James was a fine musician and an excellent self taught harpist. He played the harp in the public house he ran, providing entertainment and music for dancing."
Where did James James Live?
James lived most of his life around the Pontypridd area in the South Wales Valleys. The map shows modern Pontypridd which he would not recognise today. There is now a memorial to James and his father Evan James in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd.
Later Years of James James' Life
At some time James moved to live at 6, Hawthorn Terrace, Aberdare which is about 10 miles north of Pontypridd. It was here that he died on 11th January 1902.
James James was buried at Aberdare Cemetry located in Hirwaun Road with his late wife Cecilia who had died 10 years previously. His youngest daughter, Louisa, was also buried there in 1910.
James James was buried at Aberdare Cemetry located in Hirwaun Road with his late wife Cecilia who had died 10 years previously. His youngest daughter, Louisa, was also buried there in 1910.
A Memorial to Evan James and James James
After James James died in 1902, it was suggested that a memorial should be erected to honour both father and son. Sir William Goscombe John designed the memorial and almost 30 years later it was unveiled in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd on the 23rd July 1930.
We visited the park in February 2008 to view and photograph the memorial. As you can see in the photograph it has two life size bronze figures representing music and poetry mounted on a Blue Pennant Stone base. There is a plaque set in to the stone that depicts the 2 men.
The inscription reads:
Also photographed whilst in Pontypridd is a plaque near to where Evan and James James used to live. Unfortunately the house has long since been demolished and the plaque is now on a wall above the modern main road.
There is also a mosaic tile picture showing the two men in an walkway underpass under the main road.
We visited the park in February 2008 to view and photograph the memorial. As you can see in the photograph it has two life size bronze figures representing music and poetry mounted on a Blue Pennant Stone base. There is a plaque set in to the stone that depicts the 2 men.
The inscription reads:
- "In memory of Evan James and James James, father and son, of Pontypridd, who, inspired by a deep and tender love of their native land united poetry to song and gave Wales her National Anthem, 'Hen Wlad fy Nhdau'"
Also photographed whilst in Pontypridd is a plaque near to where Evan and James James used to live. Unfortunately the house has long since been demolished and the plaque is now on a wall above the modern main road.
There is also a mosaic tile picture showing the two men in an walkway underpass under the main road.
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The Creation of an Anthem
Passion and inspiration from a troubled mind.
James was the musician in a large family. An excellent self taught harpist, he kept books containing musical scores that he composed. In one of these books, containing scores dated from 1849 through to 1863, can be found the score of 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' which was later to become the Welsh National Anthem.
James James wrote the music to the Welsh National Anthem 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' when his father, Evan James wrote the words.
The story goes that James had been invited to join other family members who had emigrated to America and his mind was troubled with the thought of leaving his beloved Wales.
He was walking along the banks of the river Rhondda trying to straighten his thoughts, whistling a tune that came to him, and the more he whistled the more he liked it.
He called at his father's house and said to him "A tune has come to me and I would like you to compose words for it". His father replied, "My son, go up to the Collier's Arms and bring me a pint of beer and I will compose the words for you". So James brought the pint of beer and his harp and played the tune for his father.
Evan James, apparently, was so struck by the tune that he at once took down the slate, which always hung aside of his armchair by the fireplace, and in a few minutes the words of the first verse were written.
James James wrote the music to the Welsh National Anthem 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' when his father, Evan James wrote the words.
The story goes that James had been invited to join other family members who had emigrated to America and his mind was troubled with the thought of leaving his beloved Wales.
He was walking along the banks of the river Rhondda trying to straighten his thoughts, whistling a tune that came to him, and the more he whistled the more he liked it.
He called at his father's house and said to him "A tune has come to me and I would like you to compose words for it". His father replied, "My son, go up to the Collier's Arms and bring me a pint of beer and I will compose the words for you". So James brought the pint of beer and his harp and played the tune for his father.
Evan James, apparently, was so struck by the tune that he at once took down the slate, which always hung aside of his armchair by the fireplace, and in a few minutes the words of the first verse were written.
Evolution to Anthem Status
How does a simple melody composed by a weaver become a National Anthem?
Amazingly 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' has never been officially recognised by law as an Anthem. It has been established as the Welsh National Anthem by tradition over a period of a hundred years.
James and Evan James composed and wrote the music and words in 1856. They were not to know that the simple melody and passionate words would eventually one day become a national anthem. Indeed the original composition had to slowed down form the original 6/8 time to allow large gatherings to be able to sing it.
The original title for the composition was 'Glan Rhondda' (Banks of the Rhondda) after the location where it was created.
The first performance in 1856 of Glan Rhondda was in the vestry of the original Chapel Tabor in Maesteg by 16 year old Elizabeth John from Pontypridd.
Following the Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858 the melody started growing in popularity and John Owen asked permission to publish the words in a book a couple of years later, the book was titled 'Gems of Welsh Melody (1860-64). This is when the more famous title 'Hen wlad fy nhadau' first appeared.
At the 1874 Eisteddfod in Bangor, North Wales, the song gained further popularity when it was sung by Robert Rees, on eof the leading Welsh Soloists of his day.
In 1899, it is believed that 'Hen wlad fy nhadau' was the first Welsh language song to be recorded for the gramophone when it was performed by Madge Breese.
In late 1905, the Welsh Rugby Union Team played their first Test against opposition from outside the Home Nations when they faced New Zealand's All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park. New Zealand were undefeated on their tour of the British Isles, already defeating England, Ireland and Scotland before facing Wales. Before the match, the All Blacks' performed the haka (a Maori posture dance); the 47,000-strong crowd responded with the Welsh national anthem 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting fixture. Wales went on to win the match. The loss was the All Blacks' only loss on their 35-match tour. This placed the song firmly at the hearts of the Welsh nation.
'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' is recognised and used as an anthem at both national and local events in Wales and usually it will be the only Anthem sung and normally in Welsh. Some other official occasions, especially those with Royal connections have the United Kingdom national Anthem played (God Save the Queen) as well as the Welsh national anthem.
Versions of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau are used as anthems in both Cornwall, as 'Bro Goth Agan Tasow', and Brittany, as 'Bro Gozh ma Zadoù'.
James and Evan James composed and wrote the music and words in 1856. They were not to know that the simple melody and passionate words would eventually one day become a national anthem. Indeed the original composition had to slowed down form the original 6/8 time to allow large gatherings to be able to sing it.
The original title for the composition was 'Glan Rhondda' (Banks of the Rhondda) after the location where it was created.
The first performance in 1856 of Glan Rhondda was in the vestry of the original Chapel Tabor in Maesteg by 16 year old Elizabeth John from Pontypridd.
Following the Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858 the melody started growing in popularity and John Owen asked permission to publish the words in a book a couple of years later, the book was titled 'Gems of Welsh Melody (1860-64). This is when the more famous title 'Hen wlad fy nhadau' first appeared.
At the 1874 Eisteddfod in Bangor, North Wales, the song gained further popularity when it was sung by Robert Rees, on eof the leading Welsh Soloists of his day.
In 1899, it is believed that 'Hen wlad fy nhadau' was the first Welsh language song to be recorded for the gramophone when it was performed by Madge Breese.
In late 1905, the Welsh Rugby Union Team played their first Test against opposition from outside the Home Nations when they faced New Zealand's All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park. New Zealand were undefeated on their tour of the British Isles, already defeating England, Ireland and Scotland before facing Wales. Before the match, the All Blacks' performed the haka (a Maori posture dance); the 47,000-strong crowd responded with the Welsh national anthem 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' the first time a national anthem had been sung before a sporting fixture. Wales went on to win the match. The loss was the All Blacks' only loss on their 35-match tour. This placed the song firmly at the hearts of the Welsh nation.
'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' is recognised and used as an anthem at both national and local events in Wales and usually it will be the only Anthem sung and normally in Welsh. Some other official occasions, especially those with Royal connections have the United Kingdom national Anthem played (God Save the Queen) as well as the Welsh national anthem.
Versions of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau are used as anthems in both Cornwall, as 'Bro Goth Agan Tasow', and Brittany, as 'Bro Gozh ma Zadoù'.
The Words of the Welsh National Anthem in Welsh
"Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"
- Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.
Cytgan
Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.
Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd i mi.
Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwald tan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ac erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.
As most people reading this will probably not understand a word of this or even know how to pronounce the words, this is a phonetic version. See below for an English translation.
- My hen oo-lad vurr n'had-die un ann-wil ee mee
goo-lard bay-rdd a chann-tor-eon
enn wog eon o vree
ane goo-rol ruvv-el-weir
goo-lard gar-weir tra mard
dross rudd-id cor-llar-sant ay goo-eyed.
Goo-lard, goo-lard
played-eeyol weave eem goo-lard
tra more un beer, ear beer horff bye
O budd-ed eer hen ee-eye-th bar hi.
The Words of the Welsh National Anthem in English
The Land Of My Fathers
The Welsh National Anthem should really only be sung in Welsh as this really capture the true passion and spirit. There is no direct translation in to English and the difficulties of such a translation means that there are a number of different versions available.
The first translation here is as literal as it can be:
A more popular translation is this one:
The first translation here is as literal as it can be:
- The old land of my fathers is dear to me,
Land of poets and singers, famous men of renown;
Her brave warriors, very splendid patriots,
For freedom shed their blood.
Nation [or country], Nation, I am true to my Nation.
While the sea [is] a wall to the pure, most loved land,
O may the old language [sc. Cymraeg] endure.
Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the bard,
Every valley, every cliff, to me is beautiful.
Through patriotic feeling, so charming is the murmur
Of her brooks, rivers, to me.
If the enemy oppresses my land under his foot,
The old language of the Welsh is as alive as ever.
The muse is not hindered by the hideous hand of treason,
Nor [is] the melodious harp of my country.
A more popular translation is this one:
- The land of my fathers, the land of my choice,
The land in which poets and minstrels rejoice;
The land whose stern warriors were true to the core,
While bleeding for freedom of yore.
Chorus
Wales! Wales! fav'rite land of Wales!
While sea her wall, may naught befall
To mar the old language of Wales.
Old mountainous Cambria, the Eden of bards,
Each hill and each valley, excite my regards;
To the ears of her patriots how charming still seems
The music that flows in her streams.
My country tho' crushed by a hostile array,
The language of Cambria lives out to this day;
The muse has eluded the traitors' foul knives,
The harp of my country survives
The Welsh National Anthem - Hear it here
The National Anthem at its best - On the Rugby Field
Interesting Facts about the Welsh National Anthem
- The earliest copy is found in a manuscript of instrumental a choral music that belonged to James James.
- The father wrote the lyrics and the son composed the music. The harmonies were added four years later in 1860 by John Owen.
- The tune, or Glan Rhondda (The banks of Rhondda river) as it was known when it was first composed, was performed for the first time in the Capel Tabor, Maesteg, on the 1st of March 1856, by a 16 year old singer called Elizabeth John from Pontypridd.
- In 1899 a singer called Madge Breese made the first known recording of a Welsh language song. The song was Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
- Although Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is regarded as the Welsh National Anthem it is neither officially or legally recognised as such.
- Versions of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau are used as anthems in Cornwall, as "Bro Goth Agan Tasow", and Brittany, as "Bro Goz ma Zadoù". The tune is also known in parts of North East India where it was introduced to the Khasi people by Welsh missionaries in the 1800s.
- A memorial, designed by W. Goscombe John, was erected in honour of Evan and James James in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, in 1930. The work took 30 years to complete.
Great Welsh Music
Other Great Welsh Musicians - Tom Jones
Modern Day Chart Topping Welsh Superstar
Tom Jones is also from the Welsh Valleys and has had many hit records over the years including songs like 'It's Not Unusual', 'Green Green Grass of Home' and 'Delilah' to name but a few.
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Greatest Hits: Platinum Edition
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Gold
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What do you think of James James?
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A true Welsh Superstar with Global presence.
Dame Shirley Bassey originates from Cardiff. She is the only performer to have recorded hits for more than one James Bond Film, these being Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). She has accumulated over 20 Silver discs and more than 50 Gold discs for sales throughout the world. These are just a few of her best.
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Other Great Welsh Musicians - Katherine Jenkins
Wales also has some great Female Artists.
Katherine Jenkins was born on 29th June 1980 in Neath, a small Welsh town approximately 45 miles from the home town of James James. She has released 5 albums which have sold in their millions. Performing all over the world, she is one of the current top Welsh Superstars.
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Shout Out For James James!
Are you part of the James Family? Are you from Wales? Share your Welsh stories, or just leave your comments...
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Reply
- David James. David James. Apr 1, 2009 @ 2:46 pm | in reply to Kate Preston
- Hallo Kate,Ive just read with great interest that we are related through our famous ancestor James James,he was also my great great grandfather too,so we are the same generation.because of my name,I must be decended from one of his sons,my Dad was called Evan James,and my grandfather was also James James,my parents lived in Treherbert in the Rhondda valley,just over the mountain from Aberdare and Mountain Ash,where the family lived,when I was a kid,my Dad told me that his father would often walk over the mountain to Mountain Ash to visit his family there,Ive still got a couple of links missing in the chain,but gradually im putting all the bits together,so Im very proud of my family history.
What about you.? do you know all the details of your history,id like to know more.
please keep in touch,im now living in Dorset,we are distant cousins.
warmest regards,from David James. david.james830@ntlworld.com
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Reply
- Kate Preston Kate Preston Mar 22, 2009 @ 3:28 am
- Hi I am a decendant of James James, he is my great, great grandfather. What is quite strange is my 3 year old son is called James. My mum who passed away in 1991, Helen Preston, was very much into her 'famous' ancestor. If anyone reads this who knows Helen please make a comment, i would love to finish her journery of the family tree. She died before the world of internet.
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Sep 26, 2008 @ 10:00 am
- I agree... this lens is both attractive and informative. Squid Angel Blessings to you!
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Reply
- chucknp chucknp Sep 25, 2008 @ 9:43 am
- Hi Roy - lots of great info, makes me want to look into my own family tree some more. 5-starred.
-Chuck
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Reply
- Crystal_Booth Crystal_Booth Sep 25, 2008 @ 8:51 am
- Wow, Beautiful job! Great content and a great layout. Blessed by a Squid Angel today :)
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- aj2008 aj2008 Sep 25, 2008 @ 8:26 am
- I am typing this with the hairs on my neck standing on end as I listen to the song. I am 25% welsh and my mother grew up in Pontypridd. We still have family living in the house where she lived. 5*s and it deserves the blessing.
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Reply
- WhippetTalk WhippetTalk Sep 24, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
- Great lens. I have never heard of James James before. Original name huh? LOL Do you think his friends ever called him JJ? Anyway, you put a lot of work and research into this. 5*s and a blessing for great information.
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Reply
- bree623 bree623 Sep 24, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
- What a truly treat lens.
I would like to invite you to join me at
http://forumfinder.net/SMF/
You will be able to promote your lens, participate
in our comment exchange as well as digg, stumbleupon,reddit and several other social bookmarking sites.
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Hope to see you there soon.
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- aquariann aquariann Sep 23, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
- Wonderful lens! What a neat person to have in your family tree.
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Reply
- The_Homeopath The_Homeopath Sep 21, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
- What a beautiful lens about a person I knew very little about before. 5* and lensrolled.
- Load More
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by ByRoy
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