Welsh: The Language of Song, Part II

In Part I of this article, I wrote a bit about the history and roots of Welsh vocal music, and how it developed from the Celts on through the 18th century chapel culture. In Part II and Part III I want to focus on some of the major types of traditional and modern vocal music in Wales, with a little history for each as well as how they are performed today. I'll also briefly discuss how singing in general fits into Welsh society, and provide a list of resources for further information.

There are a handful of musical forms that are peculiarly Welsh and have their roots in historical tradition; besides the obvious hymns and folk songs, choral singing and penillion or "cerdd dant" are musical traditions that persist and are still widely enjoyed. The more modern genres of opera and pop music also provide a forum for expression in the Welsh language. I'll start, here in Part II, with some of the better-known (outside of Wales) vocal genres-folk songs, hymn singing, and choral singing.

Folk Songs. The genre of music referred to in general as folk songs encompasses a multitude of traditional tunes that in many cases have been passed down for centuries, preserved by bards, harpists, and even church services. Their simple melodies and emotional strength have ensured their continuing popularity, whether sung in chapels (as hymns) or in pubs, by choirs or by spontaneous hwyl. The website Welsh Folksongs is a huge archive of lyrics and midi files, and well worth exploring. There are also numerous CD compilations of folksongs, either performed traditionally or by modern folk singers/groups such as Dafydd Iwan, Plethyn, Ar Log, Mabsant, Fernhill, and many others. Many songs entered the English language and are known throughout the world, such as "Llwyn Onn" (The Ash Grove) and "Ar Hyd y Nos" (All Through the Night).

Source: WNGGA

Hymns. Hymn singing, interestingly enough, played a huge role in the preservation of many of the well-loved Welsh folk songs. Hymns are mostly sung in four-part harmony, and are just as popular to belt out as the secular folk songs. Though the lyrics may have been changed to fit a chapel environment, hymns such as "Calon Lân" and "Cwm Rhondda" are so widely enjoyed that you can hear them sung at pubs and gatherings as well as in places of worship. In particular, an event known as a Gymanfa Ganu (or Cymanfa Ganu) consists entirely of communal hymn singing, all in four-part harmony, of course. See the website above for tunes and lyrics, or contact the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (below) to purchase a hymnal. They also sell a nice folk song book entitled Caneuon y Ddraig (Songs of the Dragon). The WNGGA organizes the Festival of Wales and National Gymanfa Ganu each year, in a different North American location, and this is definitely an event to be experienced if you love to sing (or just listen). There is an audio-cassette guide to hymn pronunciation, read by Hefina Phillips, available from Cymdeithas Madog if you need practice.

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