Hogia'r Wyddfa Cofio

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-# Remember

-# Remember #

-We're remembering with

-one of Wales's most popular groups.

-A group with a melodic combination

-of voices.

-A group which has entertained

-audiences, in Wales and beyond...

-..for almost 50 years.

-# You have to love them,

-believe you me

-# The country's rural buses

-# They do their work

-with little fuss

-# Day by day, time after time

-# Very soon, we'll all hear tales

-# Of the troubles of travelling

-by bus through Wales #

-Their name and exploits

-are renowned throughout Wales.

-They've earned great respect,

-especially in this area.

-They join me in Llanberis -

-Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-Take us right back to the start.

-When was the group formed?

-Back through the mists of time.

-We're all agreed

-that 1963 was the year...

-..we formed a group

-called Triawd Yr Wyddfa.

-We'd perform locally...

-..myself on the guitar

-and the other two vocalists with me.

-I could play three chords, if that.

-Sometimes, we all performed

-without the guitar.

-Did you have three?

-Did you have three?

-

-I had three, yes.

-As you said,

-you didn't accompany us on stage.

-You'd strike the chord off-stage

-and run onto the stage to sing!

-As time went by,

-we thought we should have musical...

-..accompaniment.

-We went over to see Vivian,

-knowing he could play the guitar.

-He could play four chords.

-He had five by the end!

-That heralded the birth of the band.

-When Vivian joined us

-to play the guitar...

-..we wanted to add a little

-something to the accompaniment.

-We were related to Parti Eryri,

-a local singing group.

-We'd rehearse in Caeathro.

-Dic Morris, Richard Morris,

-was Parti Eryri's accompanist.

-We decided to ask Dic

-if he would accompany us...

-..to give us something extra

-on stage.

-We were a five-piece band

-for many years.

-# Why do you weep

-# Young man from Lleyn?

-# Your eyes are tearful

-# As you walk at dusk

-# Death faded

-# Her rosy complexion

-# She lies watched by angels

-# Dressed in white in a tomb #

-And then, as the anchor and the

-background to everything, Llanberis.

-Llanberis, without a doubt.

-We were raised in Llanberis.

-We lived within 100 yards

-of each other.

-It made life far easier

-when we had to rehearse.

-Llanberis is our backdrop today.

-We're so fond of the place.

-Why don't we join them in Llanberis?

-Sit down, you're making

-this place look untidy.

-# Our dear Wales is so lovely

-# No place on earth can rival this

-# And of all the villages

-of the world

-# One is better than all the rest

-# Oh, it's heaven on earth,

-under the stars

-# In the small village of Llanberis

-# At the foot of Snowdon,

-above the lake

-# See Ceunant Mawr

-and its foaming water

-# A narrow stream

-# Is gurgling a tune

-as it flows from the high mountain

-# Oh, it's heaven on earth,

-under the stars

-# In the small village of Llanberis

-# Oh, it's heaven on earth,

-under the stars

-# In the small village

-of Llanberis #

-I was born here

-in Newton Street, Llanberis.

-Myrddin lived just around

-the corner, around 300yds away...

-..near the woods.

-He was born a fortnight before me.

-He's older than me!

-Both of us were in the same pram.

-Our mothers decided...

-..because of the financial

-constraints after World War II...

-..to buy one pram for both of us.

-We sat facing each other,

-shouting and crying.

-That was the beginning

-of Hogia'r Wyddfa!

-Arwel's home

-was a very musical home.

-Both his parents were musicians.

-His mother was an excellent singer.

-His father had conducted choirs

-over the years...

-..in Crosville, Caernarfon

-and so forth.

-Arwel's father

-was in the Band of Hope with us...

-..when we were young children.

-We learnt the modulator - few people

-know about the modulator today...

-..especially the younger generation.

-That's where Hogia'r Wyddfa began.

-As a leader of song

-in Preswylfa Chapel, Llanberis...

-..my father taught the art

-of singing sol-fa.

-Local children knew they could earn

-money in singing competitions.

-The best sol-fa singer

-could win sixpence.

-You could win a penny

-just for trying!

-I was one of those who tried!

-I think I was a disappointment

-to my parents.

-They could teach others how to sing

-and advance themselves musically...

-..but their son

-didn't advance at all!

-I would always try my best, though.

-To illustrate

-my father's disappointment...

-..one night,

-he offered me a prize at home...

-..on the understanding that I

-wouldn't compete later that evening.

-As the years passed,

-we continued to sing together...

-..and we found a sound

-that suited us...

-..as we walked around Llanberis.

-At the time, we were a bigger gang

-than just Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-We found a bass,

-a melody and a tenor.

-We looked at one another realizing

-we'd found a unique sound.

-There was harmony in the singing.

-We decided to go for it.

-Arwel composed the melody setting

-off an amazing chain of events.

-Myrddin would harmonize

-with tenor descant...

-..and I would sing bass.

-No musical score was written

-in the early days.

-The close harmony we sang

-just fell into place.

-I didn't necessarily sing bass

-all the time.

-On some of the songs,

-it was closer to alto...

-..as the harmonies were so close.

-Myrddin would drop down

-from his tenor's voice too.

-We focused on close harmonies.

-# The tugboats pulled the ship

-to the deep waters

-# And all the flags

-waved in the wind

-# Of the hundreds there

-# We didn't notice anyone

-# Except for the girl

-on the quay in Rio

-# Rio

-# Rio #

-I joined the trio in 1967.

-I remember hearing a knock

-at the door. Who was there?

-Elwyn was looking for my brother

-to play guitar for the group.

-I told El, "El, he's at work.

-"I'll play the guitar for you,

-if you want."

-"OK, great. Brilliant!"

-That's how I joined Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-Initially, Hogia'r Wyddfa was

-a group of singers singing locally.

-We rarely travelled

-further than Bangor...

-..or the far reaches of the Lleyn

-Peninsula and towards Eifionydd.

-We slowly made a name for ourselves

-and so the longer journeys began.

-I remember visiting Rhydlewis in

-Cardiganshire for the first time.

-It was our first time

-away from our home patch.

-At the time, Arwel had a Mini.

-We all travelled in the Mini.

-The mileage of some cars

-goes around the clock.

-Arwel's Mini went around the clock

-about five or six times!

-Because we travelled

-so extensively...

-..we became known

-throughout Wales.

-Recording companies heard about us.

-Wren Records contacted us.

-The first record we recorded

-was in 1967 - Caru Cymru.

-# I love every acre

-of dear old Wales #

-It was recorded

-in Neuadd y Penrhyn, Bangor.

-# Every mountain and summit

-covered in heather

-# Every inlet, ravine and moor... #

-There was great excitement

-at the time.

-Not for us, but for the locals.

-"Ooh, Hogia'r Wyddfa are recording."

-They'd never seen anything like it.

-We recorded that song

-on the first record.

-We didn't sell many.

-We kept in touch with the charts

-and we were second to Mary Hopkin.

-I'd heard of her!

-The second time around...

-..we recorded Tylluanod,

-a poem by R Williams Parry.

-It hit the top of the charts,

-as did Caru Cymru soon afterwards.

-When we recorded

-the second record, Tylluanod...

-..Hogia'r Wyddfa

-became a household name.

-The sound - to whit to woo.

-"What's this?" the people asked.

-# To whit to woo

-# When Glaslyn's shiny waters flow

-# Into the twilight,

-like a sword to its sheath

-# When the moon shines

-on the manor's windows

-# Between the branches

-and nesting crows

-# When slumber closes the dogs' jaws

-# Night falls at Ynysfor

-to their echo... #

-I first heard them

-back in the 1960s.

-I was presenting a Saturday morning

-programme, Helo Sut Dach Chi?

-We'd have hundreds of letters every

-week asking for Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-Most were sent by Arwel's family

-and the people of Llanberis.

-# From Llanfairpwll

-to the far corners of the world

-# And many faraway cities

-# I've swaggered many hours

-for better or for worse

-# In my sleep I'll return each time

-# To my cosy home

-# Where I spent my childhood,

-halcyon days

-# And we'll have fun

-# With our friends

-and fair maids

-# We'll spend our time with them

-# We'll stay and not say

-that we'll bid farewell

-# And let the sound of joyous song

-# Echo through the land #

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-# Remember #

-The people of Caernarfon...

-..would head in only one direction

-on Sunday evenings...

-..the chapel.

-Seilo, Salem, Moreia, Caersalem...

-..and many other places of worship

-attracted the masses.

-However, a year ago, locals noticed

-a new attraction in the town.

-It wasn't a chapel.

-It was here, in the Majestic Cinema.

-Here, during the early 1970s...

-..Ser Cymru concerts

-were held on Sundays.

-Hogia'r Wyddfa topped the bill.

-They were the stars,

-along with Tony & Aloma.

-The venue was packed.

-All artistes who sing at

-the Majestic perform at their best.

-The performers conduct themselves

-in a very professional manner.

-The atmosphere differs

-from cosy smaller concerts.

-Every performer at the Majestic

-seems determined to impress.

-# Like the two of us

-# Whoa-hoa-hoa-hoa, I love you

-# I love you so

-# Never leave me,

-never break my heart #

-Idris Williams,

-how do these performances differ...

-..to a musical night

-held in a village hall?

-I'd say that this show is far more

-professional than any other show.

-When you go to a village hall...

-..everyone's rushing around,

-asking, "When are we on?"

-Here,

-everyone knows the stage order.

-They're waiting in the wings ready

-to go on stage. There are no gaps.

-# I'll recover in springtime #

-I remember singing

-in the Majestic in Caernarfon.

-Idris and Viv would organize

-the nights - Williams and Williams!

-We'd sing Gwanwyn there.

-Gwanwyn topped the charts

-at the time.

-A bloke came up to me.

-I knew him because

-I'd played football with him.

-I wondered what he was doing there

-on a Sunday night.

-I was more likely to see him

-in a pub or a bookie's shop.

-He attended a concert

-on a Sunday night.

-He asked us to sing

-about springtime.

-"Will you sing that song about that

-bloke from Llanberis who's ill?"

-That was his understanding...

-..of one of the most tragic poems

-written in the Welsh language.

-They were a bloomin' nuisance.

-They were a nuisance because

-everything had to be perfect.

-Arwel would say,

-"Are you sure that was right?

-"Am I on the same level as Myrddin?"

-Everything had to be perfect.

-When they found that perfection,

-everything fell into place.

-The aim for Idris and me...

-..was to host as professional a show

-as we could...

-..with microphones,

-a PA system, lights and so forth.

-We were also auditioning acts

-at the Majestic, Caernarfon...

-..the venue previously used

-for Ser Cymru concerts.

-We were trying

-to find new talent, fresh faces...

-..to join Hogia'r Wyddfa

-and Tony & Aloma.

-At one time, people thought...

-..that there was ill feeling between

-Welsh artistes but there wasn't.

-We were good friends...

-..with Hogia Llandegai,

-Hogia'r Deulyn and Hogia Bryngwran.

-We followed the pop chart

-in Y Cymro every week.

-Were we up or down?

-Where were Perlau Taf,

-Tony & Aloma and Dafydd Iwan?

-We were up or down the charts

-every week.

-There was no ill feeling at all

-between us.

-People thought that if we topped

-the charts, there'd be bad blood.

-I'd see Hogia'r Wyddfa in concerts

-and numerous noson lawen evenings.

-They often topped the bill,

-the group people wanted to hear.

-I always gave them

-the same introduction.

-We understood one another

-and I'd make some sort of joke.

-"Who is the most popular group

-in Wales?

-"Who does everyone want to hear?

-"Which group fills halls and venues?

-"That's right, but Hogia Llandegai

-can't be with us tonight!

-"Please welcome Hogia'r Wyddfa."

-We were one big family.

-Hogia Llandegai, Tony & Aloma,

-Y Pelydrau, Dafydd Iwan, Huw Jones.

-Being on the same stage as them...

-..being backstage

-when they were on stage...

-..was an experience and an honour.

-Hogia Kilimanjaro.

-He hasn't learned

-to play the guitar yet.

-I know three chords.

-Three chords was enough

-for Hogia'r Wyddfa for ten years!

-These people want to hear us.

-Are you going to join us on stage?

-I think you'd better go.

-OK?

-One, two, three, four.

-# We're the boys from Kilimanjaro

-# Who sound like crocodiles

-# The owls have gone

-# We're a super group

-# Fair play to the dear old owl

-# It was a faithful friend

-# Croc croc croc croc

-# Croc croc croc croc

-# Croc croc croc croc

-# Croc croc croc croc #

-Early in the 1970s, I used

-to compere for Ryan and Ronnie.

-They decided to parody

-the pop groups of the time.

-They had to parody the most famous

-group of all - Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..singing Tylluanod.

-# We are Hogia'r Wyddfa,

-we make the sound of the owl

-# We've come far from making sounds

-like quack-bah-bah-moo-moo

-# Believe us,

-making the sound of an owl

-# Is more difficult

-than you'll ever know

-# To whit to woo #

-# A little blue tit, dear blue... #

-The foundation of our relationship

-is the friendly banter.

-You never belittle

-people you don't like.

-Here's Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-# When the wind blows

-# And the trees

-have shed their leaves... #

-The early part of the 1960s

-was an exciting time.

-Groups sprung up in just about

-every village in Wales.

-We found ourselves right

-in the middle...

-..singing Anglo-American songs

-we'd translated...

-..that we didn't really enjoy.

-At the time, we realized

-that if we wanted to be different...

-..we had to offer

-something different.

-We were the only ones

-who researched Welsh poetry.

-It was a sensitive area

-and controversial idea.

-Would our audience like the nation's

-finest poetry set to music?.

-It's hard to believe today...

-..that at the time...

-..people could be so strait-laced,

-blinkered and narrow-minded.

-They opposed the idea

-of adapting poetry for pop songs.

-It was such a ridiculous attitude.

-In essence, the work of poets...

-..such as Crwys, Cynan

-and Williams Parry...

-..was popular with ordinary people.

-Who wrote Y Tylluanod?

-Can you name the poet?

-Rhian?

-R Williams Parry.

-Let's sing it.

-# When night waits for darkness #

-Hogia'r Wyddfa

-re-popularized the poems.

-They brought them to the attention

-of thousands of people...

-..by combining them with pop music.

-Iorwerth Peate and others

-criticized them...

-..for lowering

-the high standing of poetry...

-..by setting it to pop melodies.

-They were judged by music critics...

-..who said that the melodies were

-too simple, sweet and stereotypical.

-In truth, the marriage

-of music and poetry worked.

-# She lies watched by angels

-# In white robes in a tomb #

-It was important to have

-a story behind the poetry.

-It added to the compositions.

-Let's reflect on the origins

-of the text of Aberdaron.

-Cynan enjoyed

-reciting the poem to audiences.

-"When I'm old and respectable

-with money in my pocket

-"All the critics dead and buried

-and everyone sings my praises."

-There was a hatred

-within his soul...

-..a resentment

-of criticism he received.

-I did some research and realized...

-..that Cynan had been badly hurt

-by the criticism he received.

-When I took a song to Richard

-Morris, our accompanist...

-..the first thing he'd ask was,

-"What's the story behind the song?"

-I had to tell Dic the story...

-..that the lyrics and melody should

-convey the sound of the waves.

-SOUND OF WAVES

-# When I'm old and respectable

-# With money in my pocket

-# All criticism over

-# And everyone sings my praise

-# I shall buy a lonely cottage

-# With nothing in front of its door

-# But the rocks of Aberdaron

-# And the raging waves of the sea #

-Many modern critics have claimed...

-..that Hogia'r Wyddfa

-sang during a safe period.

-Their songs were safe.

-They weren't safe, believe you me.

-The song means a lot to me

-but others don't like it.

-That's what singing

-and composing is all about.

-I don't expect everyone

-to appreciate my songs.

-Of all the concerts

-we've performed as Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..including America and Canada...

-..and the Albert Hall in London...

-..the greatest experience was...

-..performing Cofio Cynan

-with Cwmni Theatr Cymru.

-# Lord, let me sleep awhile

-# I've tossed and turned

-through the night

-# My soul is troubled

-# Amid violence and unrest #

-Cynan passed away in 1970.

-Hogia'r Wyddfa were invited

-by Wilbert Lloyd Roberts...

-..to be part

-of the Cofio Cynan production.

-What was so remarkable

-about their contribution?

-Their popularity was a key factor.

-The melodies and the way

-the songs were presented...

-..were enchanting.

-I'll use the word "enchanting".

-It was enchanting and it certainly

-appealed to the audience.

-It tied in perfectly

-to the production...

-..and the different periods

-in Cynan's life.

-In his poem Hwiangerddi...

-..he writes from Macedonia.

-You can hear his longing

-for Carn Madryn...

-..and the echoes of distant breezes.

-It created a certain atmosphere.

-When Hogia'r Wyddfa sang,

-they created the perfect atmosphere.

-# Oh, for a breeze to lull me

-# From the tranquillity

-of distant Carn Madryn

-# To stop the guns

-roaring in my ears

-# And let me hear

-the melodies of happier days #

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-# Remember #

-Let's look back

-at the songs and the laughter.

-What was the secret

-of Hogia'r Wyddfa's success?

-We were cheap!

-We were cheap because

-we could perform all night.

-Concert organizers didn't

-have to book additional acts.

-It was just us.

-They only had to pay us.

-Comic sketches

-were part of our act.

-The comedy and humour

-of the sketches...

-..appealed to the audiences

-of that time.

-It also helped us

-enhance our performances.

-There were tears everywhere.

-The songs brought a tear

-to the audience's eyes...

-..but they were crying with laughter

-at the sketches.

-We combined both elements.

-He doesn't like flying.

-Don't mention

-anything do with flying.

-Don't say storms, or thunder

-and lightning or turbulence.

-Turbulence?

-Turbulence?

-

-Turbulence?

-Drink some of this.

-It'll do you good.

-There's plenty of it.

-Thank you.

-Hogia'r Wyddfa are part

-of the noson lawen tradition.

-We all took part together.

-Variety was the essence

-of that entertainment tradition.

-The comic and the solemn.

-Music, recitation and sketches.

-Hogia'r Wyddfa

-had the whole package.

-Here are your crisps, darlings.

-Cheese and onion?

-Plain.

-Plain.

-

-Plane?

-A lot of people

-think they're funny...

-..but Hogia'r Wyddfa

-understood comedy.

-They understood timing. They knew

-how long a line should last.

-That's an all-important key factor.

-Don't talk about anything

-that flies.

-Sorry about that.

-Can I get you anything else to eat?

-Chips and a sausage.

-Jumbo.

-Jumbo!

-Sit down!

-There's a quarry behind me. That's

-from where the lads' humour stems.

-It's a type of humour...

-..that is obvious and superficial

-but also digs in a subtle way.

-It's presented with affection

-That's why their humour is popular.

-Between the quarry...

-..and the characters you'd meet on

-the pitch on a Saturday afternoon...

-..we picked up the humour -

-just like C'mon Midffild.

-Mei always said the script

-had been written for them.

-That's perfectly true.

-The script was written for us too.

-We picked up sayings or events...

-..and turned them

-into sketches for the stage.

-The actors are ready. Can they

-make their way to the stage?

-The doctor and the father.

-The mother and the daughter.

-The problem was, I was always

-the first to start laughing.

-I only had to look at Arwel.

-The giggles would start.

-Myrddin would start to laugh.

-He was bent over double, laughing.

-Elwyn would try to keep us all under

-control and keep a straight face.

-Sometimes, he'd be unable to do so.

-A short sketch would go on

-for half an hour!

-Time is running out.

-We'll give it one more shot.

-Can you speed up

-or we'll be here all night?

-Where is your son?

-This is my son.

-Oh.

-I'm sorry to say that your son

-has broken his hipo-spinalization...

-Who was the clown? I'm not

-looking at anyone in particular.

-I looked like the clown...

-..but ultimately,

-I was the most sensible.

-I had stooges either side of me.

-The three stooges,

-but they were the two stooges.

-More often than not,

-there was a woman in the sketch.

-Oh!

-For some reason, the finger

-was always pointing at me.

-Either they didn't want the role

-or they were impressed by my talent!

-I was charged with the work

-of dressing up in women's clothes!

-I had to change behind pianos,

-in Rhyd-ddu and so forth.

-You had a shapely body at the time.

-At the time.

-At the time.

-

-Not now!

-I wore long dresses to hide my legs!

-Over the years, as Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..we've been fortunate to find

-two accompanists on the piano.

-Richard was the first accompanist.

-He was so gifted.

-He created his own unique sound

-at the start and end of the songs.

-When we were on stage,

-we'd lose ourselves in the music.

-When he accompanied a song...

-..though it was the same song, no

-two performances were ever the same.

-He would put something

-of his own character into the song.

-Richard was a great friend...

-..and an integral part

-of Hogia'r Wyddfa for many years.

-His health deteriorated

-and he decided to give up the role.

-The first time I accompanied

-Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..Vivian had come over to ask me

-to become their accompanist.

-I couldn't believe it at the time.

-I was brought up

-listening to Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..and they were asking me

-to be their accompanist.

-I was aware of Richard Morris's

-contribution. He was a hero of mine.

-He had a unique style.

-When you heard this rhythm,

-you knew Dic Huw was at the piano.

-Simply, this is it.

-Ryan Davies composed

-a very simple song...

-..called O Ble Gest Ti'r Ddawn?

-Originally, according to the copy,

-the accompaniment is very simple.

-And so on.

-But listen to Dic

-accompanying Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..on O Ble Gest Ti'r Ddawn?

-# To make me a fool?

-# Well, you succeeded

-# Succeeded so well

-# What I ask you, I beg of you now

-# Tell me please, oh, tell me please

-# Just tell me how?

-# Just tell me how? #

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-# Remember #

-Why did you decide to split up?

-How did you reach that decision?

-Success isn't a bed of roses.

-Sometimes,

-there's a price to pay for success.

-We made the decision...

-..because we'd lost control of the

-situation.

-Before we packed it in,

-the situation was controlling us.

-We never turned down

-a concert invitation...

-..and many

-were quite a distance from here.

-When we split up,

-we were in control of the situation.

-The three of us, the five of us,

-had full-time jobs.

-They were nine-to-five jobs

-for some of us.

-Sometimes, we'd have a concert

-in Mid Wales, or further south.

-We had to perform, come home

-and go to work the following day.

-It was bound to take its toll

-in one way or another.

-To be honest...

-It did take its toll, on our health.

-What frightened me

-more than anything...

-..and it's quite strange

-when you consider my head...

-..I passed out

-in a barber's shop in Caernarfon!

-I was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-I remember the yellow

-Valium tablets in the hospital.

-That scared me.

-That's how it affected us.

-We'd overdone it

-to the point of exhaustion.

-Curiously...

-..at the time we never realized

-while we kept on going and going...

-..that we were tiring.

-The body and mind were exhausted.

-When the day came

-to consider our future...

-..the choice between

-the feet and the larynx...

-..only then did we realize

-how it had affected our health.

-I was bedridden,

-I spent time in hospital.

-I was brought down, in the same way

-as Elwyn was taking Valium.

-Without the support

-of the doctors and my family...

-My family was very supportive

-at that time.

-It was strange that they were aware

-of a deterioration in my health...

-..though I wasn't.

-That's when we had problems

-as a family.

-Arwel's health suffered.

-He had constant bouts of dizziness.

-He was confined to bed

-for long periods.

-Every time he stood up,

-he felt he was going to faint.

-Initially, the doctors

-couldn't diagnose the problem...

-..but his health was deteriorating.

-We were very concerned.

-Finally, the doctors realized

-that he was struggling to cope...

-..after living life

-at such a fast pace.

-He couldn't cope with not having

-that time in his life.

-As long as I was busy, I was fine.

-When it all stopped,

-that's when I fell ill.

-I found myself in a situation

-I couldn't handle.

-I couldn't go to places

-like Caernarfon and Bangor.

-I couldn't speak to people.

-I was in a state where

-I was almost confined to my home.

-Following the break from singing...

-..ten years passed

-before we returned to the studio...

-..to record an LP.

-# Can you hear the raging storm

-over the summits of Snowdonia?

-# Can you feel the pain and anguish

-in your Wales today?

-# Can you see

-your country suffering?

-# Can you see the scars?

-# Can you see the foreign tides

-washing over your language?

-# The language of your homeland

-is dying out

-# The language of your fathers,

-the language of saints

-# Without your intervention

-# It will never be

-the language of your children #

-We did return.

-We did return.

-

-Yes!

-We reformed the band.

-People would ask us to perform

-and it was hard to refuse.

-We felt better by then.

-The majority welcomed us back.

-However a few cynics had a field day

-but that didn't bother us.

-The question posed was, how many

-farewell concerts have there been?

-A few bands had as many as us,

-without naming them.

-We received a letter inviting us

-to perform after a period of rest.

-We discussed it.

-We decide we wouldn't

-make a comeback just for 25.

-We decided

-to charge a ridiculous amount.

-It's not ridiculous

-by today's standards.

-At the time,

-it was ridiculous amount.

-It was accepted!

-We also decided not to perform as

-the only stage act for an evening.

-We'd take part in concerts.

-Since then, we have performed

-on stage all night...

-..but not as often as before.

-You hit the nail on the head

-with regard to the early days.

-The situation controlled us.

-We decided that we wanted

-to control the situation.

-The secret of their longevity

-is the fact that they're friends.

-They're very close friends.

-They always have a good word

-to say about one another.

-Arwel will speak fondly

-about El and Myrddin.

-Myrddin will do likewise.

-That's how they are.

-They're such close friends.

-The audience can sense this

-when they're on stage.

-They turn to one another and smile

-when they're singing.

-It gives a warm feeling inside.

-Their friendship

-is a key factor in their success.

-Their biggest contribution is

-popularizing, or re-popularizing...

-..the poetry of Cynan, Crwys...

-..R Williams Parry,

-TH Parry-Williams and Waldo.

-They've made the poetry accessible

-to thousands of Welsh speakers.

-This trio appeals to the Welsh ear.

-Three men

-singing in perfect harmony.

-They provide the complete

-Welsh musical experience.

-We're grateful

-to people for their support.

-They bought our records and watched

-our television programmes.

-We never expected

-to become so popular as a group.

-People make a community.

-The people of our early days

-in Llanberis...

-..and the people

-who live there today.

-The people who lived around us

-moulded us.

-These people

-gave us a start in life.

-The community of people

-in Llanberis moulded Hogia'r Wyddfa.

-We started

-with Pentre Bach Llanber...

-..which always went down well

-in concerts...

-..and finished off

-with Safwn Yn Y Bwlch.

-The audience stood on their feet

-to sing with us.

-They were on their feet

-ready to sing our anthem.

-That gave us such a thrill.

-# Let's stand in the breach

-# Together we stand

-# Wales, our country, needs us

-# Dawn has broken

-after a long dark night

-# Freedom isn't far away

-# Let's stand in the breach

-# Ready to take up the challenge

-# Loyal and true to Wales

-# Wales is in our blood

-# Let's defend our land

-# Demand our nation's freedom

-# United, together we'll stand

-# United, together we'll stand

-# For our language, our land

-# For our people, our children

-# United, together we'll stand

-# Let's stand in the breach

-# Hope is aflame

-# Our hearts filled with fire

-# We shall yield not an inch

-# Nor retreat one step

-# Until our nation is free

-# Let's stand in the breach

-# Let's conquer the enemy

-# Nothing can stand in our way

-# Wales is calling

-# Let's strive for our land

-# Freedom isn't far away

-# United, together we'll stand

-# United, together we'll stand

-# For our language, our land

-# For our people, our children

-# United, together we'll stand

-# United, together we'll stand

-# United, together we'll stand

-# For our language, our land

-# For our people, for our children

-# United, together

-# We shall stand! #

-The final question

-for Hogia'r Wyddfa...

-..is when do you intend to retire?

-If we're in good health and

-our voices are in good condition...

-..we're aiming for the year 2013.

-By then, we'll have been together

-for 50 years.

-When that time comes, we'll retire.

-Honestly!

-# Remember

-# Remember #

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

-.