Calon Lan
Encyclopedia
Calon Lân is a Welsh
hymn
, the words of which were written in the 19th century by Daniel James
(23 January 1848 - 11 March 1920) to a tune by John Hughes (1872–1914).
The hymn is often associated with Welsh rugby union
, being sung before almost every Test match involving the Welsh national team
.
In 2007 the song was one of the traditional Welsh hymns to make it to the screen in an S4C series Codi Canu, as an attempt is made to bring traditional four-part harmony choral singing back to the Welsh rugby terraces.
"Calon Lân" is unusual among the most popular Welsh traditional hymns and songs in that the English version of the words is virtually never sung (unlike, for example, "Cwm Rhondda
"), but the tune does appear, for example, in the current (British) Methodist hymn book, "Hymns & Psalms", set to the lyrics of "I will Sing the Wondrous Story" by P. P. Bliss.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
, the words of which were written in the 19th century by Daniel James
Daniel James (Gwyrosydd)
Daniel James , also known by his bardic name of Gwyrosydd, was a Welsh poet and hymn-writer, best known for writing the words to the popular hymn, "Calon Lân".-Early life:Daniel James came from Treboeth in Swansea...
(23 January 1848 - 11 March 1920) to a tune by John Hughes (1872–1914).
The hymn is often associated with Welsh rugby union
Rugby union in Wales
Rugby union is the national sport of Wales and is considered a large part of national culture. Rugby is thought to have reached Wales in the 1850s, with the national body, the Welsh Rugby Union being formed in 1881...
, being sung before almost every Test match involving the Welsh national team
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
.
In 2007 the song was one of the traditional Welsh hymns to make it to the screen in an S4C series Codi Canu, as an attempt is made to bring traditional four-part harmony choral singing back to the Welsh rugby terraces.
"Calon Lân" is unusual among the most popular Welsh traditional hymns and songs in that the English version of the words is virtually never sung (unlike, for example, "Cwm Rhondda
Cwm Rhondda
Cwm Rhondda, the Welsh name for the Rhondda Valley, is a popular hymn tune written by John Hughes and first performed in 1907. It is often erroneously called Bread of Heaven and is usually used in English as a setting for William Williams's text Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah , originally...
"), but the tune does appear, for example, in the current (British) Methodist hymn book, "Hymns & Psalms", set to the lyrics of "I will Sing the Wondrous Story" by P. P. Bliss.
Lyrics
Alternative words:- Verse 1, line 3: Gofyn wyf am fywyd hapus
- Verse 2, line 2: Chwim adenydd iddo sydd
- Verse 3, line 2: Esgyn ar adenydd cân
- Chorus, line 3: Does ond calon lân all ganu
Adaptations
- The tune of "Calon Lân" has been adapted to suit other lyrics, notably "A Miner's Lifeguard," "Life's Railway to Heaven" and "The Weaver's Song" (Almanac SingersAlmanac SingersThe Almanac Singers were a group of folk musicians who, as their name indicates, specialized in topical songs, especially songs connected with the labor movement...
). - Faryl SmithFaryl SmithFaryl Smith is a British teen mezzo-soprano who rose to fame after auditioning for the second series of the ITV television talent show Britain's Got Talent in 2008. She received praise throughout the competition, and although she was the favourite to win after the second round, she finished...
recorded a version of the song for her debut album, FarylFarylFaryl is the debut album by British mezzo-soprano Faryl Smith, released on 9 March 2009 by Universal Classics and Jazz. Smith rose to fame after her appearance on the second series of Britain's Got Talent, and signed with Universal after the competition...
. - Adrian MitchellAdrian MitchellAdrian Mitchell FRSL was an English poet, novelist and playwright. A former journalist, he became a noted figure on the British anti-authoritarian Left. For almost half a century he was the foremost poet of the country's anti-Bomb movement...
has written a translation into English, "Shining Heart", for the show "A Child's Christmas in WalesA Child's Christmas in WalesA Child's Christmas in Wales is a prose work by the Welsh writer Dylan Thomas. Originally emerging from a piece written for radio, the poem was recorded by Thomas in 1952. The story is an anecdotal retelling of a Christmas from the view of a young child and is a romanticised version of Christmases...
". The lyrics appear in his collection "Love Songs of World War Three".
External links
- Free typeset sheet music for SATB from Cantorion.org
- Learn to sing "Calon Lân" online (S4C 'Codi Canu' Welsh programme site)
- Learn to sing "Calon Lân" online (Sing4Wales)
- English text to Calon Lân
- Calon Lan accompanied by a Welsh harp on Youtube
- Katherine Jenkins version also from Youtube
- Male voice version by Bryn Terfel with images of Wales landscape, castles and personalities