Cwm Rhondda
Encyclopedia
Cwm Rhondda, the Welsh name for the Rhondda Valley
, is a popular hymn tune
written by John Hughes (1873–1932) 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
(or, in some traditions, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer), originally Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch in Welsh
, translated by Peter Williams in the 1771 hymnal Hymns on Various Subjects. In Welsh it is usually a setting for a hymn by Ann Griffiths
, Wele'n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd.
The following version is taken from the Welsh hymnbook of the Calvinist and Wesleyan Methodists, published by the assemblies of the two churches.
from the escape from slavery in Egypt, , being guided by a cloud by day and a fire by night, to their final arrival forty years later in the land of Canaan
, . During this time their needs were supplied by God, including the daily supply of manna
, .
The hymn text forms an allegory for the journey of a Christian throughout their life on earth requiring the Redeemer's guidance and ending at the gates of Heaven (the verge of Jordan) and end of time (death of death and hell's destruction).
and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
.
The hymn is also featured prominently in the soundtrack
to the 1941 film How Green Was My Valley
, directed by John Ford
. The soundtrack, by Alfred Newman
, won that year's Academy Award for Original Music Score
. It is also featured at the beginning of The African Queen (film), with Katharine Hepburn
singing and playing the organ. Only Men Aloud!
also sang an arrangement by Tim Rhys-Evans
and Jeffrey Howard on the BBC 1 Show Last Choir Standing
in 2008. They subsequently released it on their self titled début album.
in 1930.
matches, especially those of the Wales national rugby union team
. There it is common for all voices to sing the repeat of the last three syllables of the last-but-one line, e.g. want no more, strength and shield (which in church use is repeated only in the bass
and alto
parts, if at all).
The hymn is sung by Ivor the Engine and the Grumbly District Choir at the end of episode 6 of the first series of Ivor the Engine
, when Ivor finally achieves his ambition to join the choir.
episode "The Beast in the Cage" this song was sung by disgruntled car mechanics to show their contempt for Victor Meldrew's automobile.
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
, is a popular hymn tune
Hymn tune
A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
written by John Hughes (1873–1932) 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
William Williams Pantycelyn
William Williams Pantycelyn , also known as Williams Pantycelyn and Pantycelyn, is generally acknowledged as Wales' most famous hymn writer. He was also one of the key leaders of the 18th century Welsh Methodist revival, along with Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris. As a poet and prose writer he is...
text Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Jehovah
Jehovah is an anglicized representation of Hebrew , a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton , the proper name of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible....
(or, in some traditions, Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer), originally Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch in Welsh
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...
, translated by Peter Williams in the 1771 hymnal Hymns on Various Subjects. In Welsh it is usually a setting for a hymn by Ann Griffiths
Ann Griffiths
Ann Griffiths was a Welsh poet and writer of Methodist Christian hymns.-Biography:Ann was born in April 1776 near the village of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, six miles from the market town of Llanfyllin in Powys...
, Wele'n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd.
Present-day
History
The hymn has evolved and shortened over time from an original version, written in 1745, with five verses.The following version is taken from the Welsh hymnbook of the Calvinist and Wesleyan Methodists, published by the assemblies of the two churches.
| Original | Translation |
|---|---|
| Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch, Fi bererin gwael ei wedd, Nad oes ynof nerth na bywyd Fel yn gorwedd yn y bedd: Hollalluog, hollalluog, Ydyw’r Un a’m cwyd i’r lan. Ydyw’r Un a’m cwyd i’r lan. Colofn dân rho’r nos i’m harwain, A rho’r golofn niwl y dydd; Dal fi pan fwy’n teithio’r mannau Geirwon yn fy ffordd y sydd: Rho imi fanna, rho imi fanna, Fel na bwyf yn llwfrhau. Fel na bwyf yn llwfrhau. Agor y ffynhonnau melus Sydd yn tarddu o’r Graig i maes; Colofn dan rho’r nos i’m harwain, A rho golofn niwl y dydd; 'R hyd yr anial mawr canlyned Afon iechydwriaeth gras: Rho imi hynny, rho imi hynny, Dim imi ond dy fwynhau. Dim imi ond dy fwynhau. Pan fwy’n myned trwy’r Iorddonen— Angeu creulon yn ei rym, Ti gest hwnnw gynt dy hunan, Pam yr ofnaf bellach ddim? Buddugoliaeth, buddugoliaeth, Gwna imi waeddi yn y llif! Gwna imi waeddi yn y llif! Ymddiriedaf yn dy allu, Mawr yw’r gwaith a wnest erioed: Ti gest angau, ti gest uffern, Ti gest Satan dan dy droed: Pen Calfaria, Pen Calfaria, Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof. Nac aed hwnw byth o’m cof. |
Lord, guide me through the wilderness, A pilgrim weak of aspect, There is neither strength nor life in me, As though lying in the grave, Almighty, It is Thou who shalt take me to that shore. Give Thou a pillar of fire to lead me in the night, And a pillar of mist in the day, Hold me when I travel places Which are rough on the way, Give me manna, Thus shall I not despair. Open the sweet springs Which gush forth from the rock, All across the great wilderness May a river of healing grace follow: Give this to me Not for me but for Thy sake. When I go through Jordan - Cruel death in its force - Thou Thyself suffered this before, Why shall I fear further? Victory! Let me cry out in the torrent. I shall trust in Thy power, Great is the work that Thou hast always done, Thou conquered death, Thou conquered hell, Thou hast crushed Satan beneath Thy feet, Hill of Calvary, This shall never escape from my memory. |
Meanings
The hymn describes the experience of God's people in their travel through the wildernessWilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
from the escape from slavery in Egypt, , being guided by a cloud by day and a fire by night, to their final arrival forty years later in the land of Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
, . During this time their needs were supplied by God, including the daily supply of manna
Manna
Manna or Manna wa Salwa , sometimes or archaically spelled mana, is the name of an edible substance that God provided for the Israelites during their travels in the desert according to the Bible.It was said to be sweet to the taste, like honey....
, .
The hymn text forms an allegory for the journey of a Christian throughout their life on earth requiring the Redeemer's guidance and ending at the gates of Heaven (the verge of Jordan) and end of time (death of death and hell's destruction).
Instances of use
The hymn has been sung on various British state occasions such as the funerals of Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton
The wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. Prince William, the eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales, first met Catherine Middleton in 2001, when both were studying at the University of St Andrews. Their...
.
The hymn is also featured prominently in the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the 1941 film How Green Was My Valley
How Green Was My Valley (film)
How Green Was My Valley is a 1941 drama film directed by John Ford. The film, based on the 1939 Richard Llewellyn novel, was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and written by Philip Dunne. The film stars Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp, and Roddy McDowall...
, directed by John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
. The soundtrack, by Alfred Newman
Alfred Newman
Alfred Newman was an American composer, arranger, and conductor of music for films.In a career which spanned over forty years, Newman composed music for over two hundred films. He was one of the most respected film score composers of his time, and is today regarded as one of the greatest...
, won that year's Academy Award for Original Music Score
Academy Award for Original Music Score
The Academy Award for Original Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer.-Superlatives:...
. It is also featured at the beginning of The African Queen (film), with Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
singing and playing the organ. Only Men Aloud!
Only Men Aloud!
Only Men Aloud! is a male voice choir from Wales. The choir came to national prominence in the UK when they won the Last Choir Standing competition run by BBC television during 2008.-Overview:...
also sang an arrangement by Tim Rhys-Evans
Tim Rhys-Evans
Tim Rhys-Evans is a Welsh singer, musician, conductor and arranger, best known as the founder and musical director of the choir Only Men Aloud!....
and Jeffrey Howard on the BBC 1 Show Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing was a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. Broadcast on BBC One in July and August 2008, the series saw amateur choirs competing each week to be the 'last choir standing'....
in 2008. They subsequently released it on their self titled début album.
God of grace and God of glory
Some hymnals use this tune for the hymn God of Grace and God of Glory written by Harry Emerson FosdickHarry Emerson Fosdick
Harry Emerson Fosdick was an American clergyman. He was born in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Colgate University in 1900, and Union Theological Seminary in 1904. While attending Colgate University he joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1903 at the...
in 1930.
Lo, between the myrtles standing
Full Salvation!
Wales
Apart from church use, probably its best known use is as the 'Welsh Rugby Hymn', often sung by the crowd at rugbyRugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
matches, especially those of the Wales national rugby union 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...
. There it is common for all voices to sing the repeat of the last three syllables of the last-but-one line, e.g. want no more, strength and shield (which in church use is repeated only in the bass
Bass (voice type)
A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
and alto
Alto
Alto is a musical term, derived from the Latin word altus, meaning "high" in Italian, that has several possible interpretations.When designating instruments, "alto" frequently refers to a member of an instrumental family that has the second highest range, below that of the treble or soprano. Hence,...
parts, if at all).
The hymn is sung by Ivor the Engine and the Grumbly District Choir at the end of episode 6 of the first series of Ivor the Engine
Ivor the Engine
Ivor the Engine is a British children's animation by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin's Smallfilms company. It is a children's television series relating the adventures of a small green locomotive who lived in the "top left-hand corner of Wales" and worked for The Merioneth and Llantisilly Railway...
, when Ivor finally achieves his ambition to join the choir.
Football
In the early 20th century, football fans regularly used the variation "You're Not Singing Anymore" when taunting the fans of opposing teams who were on the losing sides.Army
It is (was) well known that the Parachute Regiment would alter the refrain to read ' God Is Airborne' 'God is Airborne' Airborne Soldiers Evermore, God's a Para EvermoreTelevision
The BBC's One Foot in the GraveOne Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave is a BBC television sitcom series written by David Renwick. The show ran for six series, including seven Christmas specials, two Comic Relief specials, over an eleven year period, from early 1990 to late 2000...
episode "The Beast in the Cage" this song was sung by disgruntled car mechanics to show their contempt for Victor Meldrew's automobile.
External links
- Free typeset sheet music for SATB (voice), from Cantorion.org
- Free score at the Mutopia ProjectMutopia projectThe Mutopia Project is a volunteer-run effort to create a library of free content sheet music, in a way similar to Project Gutenberg's library of public domain books.The music is reproduced from old scores that are out of copyright...