Iris Williams Deuawdau Rhys Meirion


Iris Williams

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-New York is the capital

-city of musicals...

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-..and the musical home

-of jazz and cabaret greats.

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-I've come to meet

-a very special person...

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-..a singer with one of the most

-unique voices I've ever heard.

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-# The fundamental things apply #

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-How much is that?

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-How much is that?

-

-Three.

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-Thank you very much indeed.

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-Mm, very nice.

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-# And when two lovers #

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-This week's artiste is an icon.

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-Maybe you haven't heard of her,

-or heard her sing for a few years.

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-That's because she has lived here

-in New York for over 20 years.

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-She asked me to meet her here in

-Birdland, where she loves to sing.

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-# As time goes by #

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-Birdland is one of

-New York's most iconic jazz clubs.

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-I was told to meet her

-outside after her rehearsal.

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-HUMS

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-HUMS

-

-Iris.

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-Oh!

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-How are you?

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-How are you?

-

-Oh!

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-Wonderful to see you.

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-Wonderful to see you.

-

-Nice to see you.

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-Nice to see you

-in the flesh, as it were.

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-What do you think of Efrog Newydd?

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-What do you think of Efrog Newydd?

-

-Fantastic. What a place!

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-Fantastic and the weather is fine.

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-Shall we go for a walk?

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-Some of you will immediately know

-that my guest is Iris Williams.

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-But for younger people...

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-..she was a unique face

-and voice in 1970s Welsh pop.

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-# Your eyes, the blue of the sea

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-# Your hair, the gold of the beach #

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-Since her early days

-singing in Welsh, Iris's career...

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-..has included singing for Betty

-and Gerald Ford in the White House.

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-She has shared a stage

-with iconic Americans...

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-..like Bob Hope, Elaine Stritch,

-Angela Lansbury and Tony Bennett.

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-She has sung in some of

-the world's leading jazz festivals.

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-But Iris's greatest hit

-was the song "He Was Beautiful".

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-# He was

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-# Beautiful #

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-Iris's version

-of the famous melody "Cavatina"...

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-..from the film "The Deer Hunter"...

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-..took her to the top

-of the charts in 1979.

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-# From the moment #

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-But Iris had her first

-opportunity in Welsh...

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-..singing on programmes

-like "Disc A Dawn".

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-Here is Iris Williams,

-singing "Mae Hi Yn Nosi".

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-# Night is falling

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-# I feel so sad

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-# My love went away #

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-Iris began her career

-singing in Welsh.

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-She isn't naturally

-confident speaking Welsh.

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-But her story and her place in Welsh

-pop history is worth telling.

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-I'm looking forward to

-the privilege of singing with her.

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-This is really America now.

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-Yes.

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-You've been living here

-for how long?

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-Twenty two years, almost.

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-Are you American or are you Welsh?

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-Are you American or are you Welsh?

-

-I'm Welsh!

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-In my heart.

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-Will you try speaking

-a bit of Welsh?

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-Absolutely.

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-Are you looking

-forward to the duets?

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-I'm looking forward

-to singing with you.

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-It'll be a pleasure.

-We'll have a lot of fun.

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-I have jetlag. I'm tired.

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-I have to go to bed.

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-We'll see you tomorrow morning.

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-We'll see you tomorrow morning.

-

-Yes.

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-Thanks.

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-Thanks.

-

-See you.

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-See you tomorrow. Bye!

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-Bye.

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-I'm in Brooklyn.

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-Iris asked me to come here...

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-..to listen to her and her

-accompanist Art Weiss rehearsing.

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-This is Manhattan Avenue.

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-Here is number 632.

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-Iris is here. Let's go in to listen.

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-PIANO IN BACKGROUND

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-# I miss you most of all #

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-Iris performs "Autumn Leaves"

-regularly on New York stages.

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-And she sings it in Welsh.

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-# Of red and gold #

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-Hang on, Art.

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-Croeso.

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-Croeso.

-

-Hello.

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-Sorry to disturb you.

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-Sorry to disturb you.

-

-Rhys, welcome.

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-Art, how are you? I'm Rhys.

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-Hello, Rhys.

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-Hello, Rhys.

-

-Nice to meet you.

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-That was beautiful.

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-That was beautiful.

-

-Thank you.

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-Will you do me a huge favour?

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-Would you do a performance

-just for me?

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-Oh, alright!

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-Oh, alright!

-

-Please!

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-Art.

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-# The falling leaves

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-# Drift by the window

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-# The autumn leaves

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-# Of red and gold

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-# But I miss you most of all

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-# My darling

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-# When autumn leaves

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-# Start to fall #

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-We're in New York.

-It's such an exciting place.

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-When did you come here?

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-When did you come here?

-

-Roundabout 1992.

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-I wanted to do cabaret,

-real cabaret.

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-That's what they do in New York,

-California and all over the place.

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-So cabaret to me

-is in a small venue...

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-..like Birdland.

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-As a singer, you don't only sing...

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-..but you communicate.

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-It's a way of communicating

-with the audience.

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-And you can tell stories.

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-You can make a mistake.

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-They're in on it.

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-It's just lovely.

-It's a great atmosphere.

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-More homely.

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-More homely.

-

-Yes.

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-Like a living room, a "ty bach".

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-Like a living room, a "ty bach".

-

-Wonderful.

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-Not "ty bach". That's toilet!

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-LAUGHTER

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-Some of them are!

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-Well, acoustics

-aren't bad in a toilet!

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-I'd brought something

-I knew would bring back memories.

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-It was the song that gave her a lot

-of attention in the early days...

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-"..Pererin Wyf".

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-# A pilgrim

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-# In a desert land #

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-Look!

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-Oh, my god!

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-Who are the girls with you?

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-Sweet Rain.

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-They weren't sweet, though. They

-hated me because it was their song.

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-They originally

-were supposed to sing it alone.

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-I happened to be on the programme.

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-Ruth Price was the Head

-of the BBC at that time...

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-..and the producer of Disc A Dawn.

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-She said, "There's something

-missing. It's just not right."

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-She said, "Iris, are you there?

-Go and sing it with them."

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-I said, "I don't know it, Ruth."

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-She said, "Write it out for her.

-She's got to do it."

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-They put the board up.

-She taught me how to say the words.

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-I did it and she said,

-"That's what I want."

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-And that was that!

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-And that was that!

-

-That was that, just the one take.

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-It was magic.

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-Everybody went, "What?"

-They couldn't believe it.

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-It's such a famous song.

-Mam thinks the world of it.

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-I've chosen it

-as the duet to sing with you.

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-I hope I do it justice.

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-I hope I do it justice.

-

-You will! You'd do anything justice.

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-It'll be better than that.

-I sound like the Chipmunks!

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-LAUGHTER

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-# Since you went away,

-the days grow long

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-# And soon I'll hear

-love's winter song

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-# But I miss you most of all

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-# My darling

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-# When autumn leaves

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-# Start to

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-# Fall #

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-Wow.

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-Oh!

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-Oh!

-

-Thanks.

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-Glorious. Thank you.

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-Glorious. Thank you.

-

-For you.

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-I feel so important!

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-You are important too.

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-Now you're going

-to sing a song for me.

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-Come on. What do you know?

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-I'll tell you what, what about

-"Unwaith Eto Yng Nghymru Annwyl"?

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-Do you sing that?

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-Do you sing that?

-

-Do you know it?

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-Yes.

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-Let's see what comes out!

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-Let's see what comes out!

-

-Ready? Off you go.

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-# Once again in dear Wales

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-# I tread the soil of my own land

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-# Happy again to meet old friends

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-# It brings so much pleasure

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-# Some boast the beauty

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-# Of distant lands in sweet song

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-# But for me,

-there's no land under the sun

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-# That can compare

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-# With beautiful Wales

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-# I grew up

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-# In her embrace

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-# I was swayed

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-# In her cradle

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-# Of all the mothers in the world

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-# She is the best

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-# In the world #

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-Wow!

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-Gorgeous. Give me a kiss!

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-Not bad, considering

-the piano wasn't tuned!

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-Later, we talk about Tonyrefail

-on a boat on the River Hudson.

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-We sing in a church

-and have a Welsh tea.

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-We start on the duets.

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-You'll see how it went.

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

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-I'm in New York with

-the Welsh singer, Iris Williams.

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-We'll sing duets, of course.

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-# I never cared much

-for moonlit skies

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-# I never wink back at fireflies #

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-But before we start to sing,

-I'm walking through Manhattan...

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-..to meet Iris

-on the Staten Island Ferry.

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-It's a good place to look back

-at the city, and at the past...

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-..to learn more

-about the girl from Tonyrefail.

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-# But now when you turn

-the lamp down low

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-# I'm beginning to see the light

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-# Used to ramble through the park

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-# Shadowboxing in the dark

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-# Then you came and caused the spark

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-# That's a four-alarm fire now #

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-Iris, thanks for bringing me here.

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-It's such an iconic place.

-Look at Manhattan behind us!

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-Marvellous.

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-Marvellous.

-

-Incredible.

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-How did it feel

-when you first came to New York?

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-Overwhelming and very exciting.

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-When you come from Wales,

-it's wonderful there.

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-But when you come

-to a big city like New York...

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-..you've read about it, you've

-looked at it on TV and in films.

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-But when you're actually here, it's

-quite overwhelming and fantastic.

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-It's a great feeling. Exciting.

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-Yes.

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-You've been here over 20 years now.

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-But I'm still amazed at New York.

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-We use the word "hiraeth" in Welsh.

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-Is it still there?

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-Oh, yes.

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-As the saying goes, you can take

-the girl out of the valley...

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-..but not the valley

-out of the girl.

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-That's always been so.

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-Wales is in my heart.

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-It's true.

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-I always wonder

-what one would do without singing.

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-What do you think you'd be?

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-What do you think you'd be?

-

-I wouldn't be here.

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-I'd have been a nurse, or something.

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-And God help them!

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-I can't imagine.

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-Both of us, our voices

-have taken us all over the world...

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-..and all sorts

-of wonderful experiences...

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-..all because of a God-given talent.

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-I'm grateful for that.

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-We are lucky.

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-Very lucky.

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-I never dreamt I'd have

-the chance to sing duets with you.

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-Do you think

-our voices will work together?

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-Of course.

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-You're a tenor and I'm a contralto.

-I sing an octave lower.

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-It's going to be fabulous,

-absolutely fabulous. I can't wait.

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-It's going to be good.

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-It's going to be good.

-

-I'm looking forward.

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-Me too!

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-# As long as seawater

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-# Is salty

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-# And green birches

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-# Grow on the hill

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-# And as long as the crow

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-# Builds a nest

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-# My dearest love #

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-Iris isn't the only

-Welshwoman in New York.

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-She knows where to find familiar

-accents on Sunday afternoon.

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-Iris, we're going to chapel.

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-Iris, we're going to chapel.

-

-I come here often, actually.

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-It's a lovely church,

-and lovely singing, of course.

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-Maybe we can sing!

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-Maybe we can sing!

-

-Why not?

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-A bit of "Calon Lan".

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-In we go.

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-In we go.

-

-Thanks.

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-# Hallelujah

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-# Praise to Him forever, Amen #

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-The Rutgers Church was founded

-in the 18th century.

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-They still hold

-a monthly Welsh service.

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-Welsh speakers come

-from all over New York.

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-It's a chance to socialize

-and sing together.

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-There was only one thing for it.

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-Off you go, Mary.

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-# I don't ask for a luxurious life

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-# The world's gold

-or its fine pearls

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-# I ask for a happy heart

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-# An honest heart

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-# A pure heart

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-# A pure heart

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-# Full of goodness

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-# Is fairer than a fine lily

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-# None but a pure heart can sing

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-# Sing all day

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-# And sing all night #

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-APPLAUSE

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-APPLAUSE

-

-Great.

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-I'm getting into it now!

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-As usual after the service, there's

-a welcome, tea and a chat too.

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-It's a small corner

-of Wales in the big city.

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-It's a chance

-to meet up with friends...

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-..not only from Wales...

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-..but people who like

-to come here...

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-..because they're

-interested in Wales.

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-I have heard Iris

-and Rhys Meirion sing...

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-..in Kidwelly, near Carmarthen.

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-I've heard both sing,

-but not together.

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-I've lived in New York

-for ten years.

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-It's the first time

-I sang "Calon Lan".

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-It was marvellous.

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-Wherever you go in the world,

-someone always knows you.

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-Do you remember Toronto?

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-I sang in the bar.

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-Until 3.00am!

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-Sh, not 3.00am!

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-No, 3.00pm.

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-It was 2.00am!

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-With the Three Tenors.

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-With the Three Tenors.

-

-Yes.

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-It's great to be here.

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-You like Iris Williams.

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-Yes, she's excellent.

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-She is.

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-Where have you heard her sing?

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-Birdland.

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-Oh!

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-Birdland. Top of the pops.

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-Birdland. Top of the pops.

-

-It is.

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-As I got to know her better...

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-..it was clear that

-Iris's feet were on the ground.

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-Her Welshness and roots

-were very important to her.

0:19:390:19:43

-That went well. I enjoyed it.

0:19:430:19:45

-That went well. I enjoyed it.

-

-I feel nostalgic.

0:19:450:19:46

-For Wales?

0:19:460:19:47

-For Wales?

-

-Of course.

0:19:470:19:48

-I wanted to find out more

-about her upbringing in Wales...

0:19:480:19:52

-..and start work

-on the duets, of course.

0:19:520:19:55

-There was only one thing to do.

0:19:550:19:58

-Go to Wales, and the Millennium

-Centre and begin work on the duets.

0:20:060:20:10

-Iris was joined by Alyce,

-her friend and personal manager.

0:20:110:20:15

-Hello.

0:20:150:20:16

-Hello.

-

-How are you?

0:20:160:20:17

-Welcome to Wales.

0:20:170:20:19

-How are you?

0:20:200:20:20

-How are you?

-

-Hello.

0:20:200:20:22

-You've brought the sun with you!

0:20:230:20:24

-You've brought the sun with you!

-

-Yes.

0:20:240:20:25

-It's fine.

0:20:250:20:26

-It's sunny.

0:20:270:20:28

-From New York.

0:20:280:20:29

-From New York.

-

-Yes.

0:20:290:20:31

-We're going to sing "Haul Yr Haf".

0:20:310:20:33

-We're going to sing "Haul Yr Haf".

-

-Absolutely.

0:20:330:20:35

-Great. Let's sing.

0:20:350:20:35

-Great. Let's sing.

-

-Yes.

0:20:350:20:36

-Oh!

0:20:390:20:40

-Oh!

-

-They've set up. Hi, James.

0:20:400:20:42

-We started off at once,

-with the first duet.

0:20:430:20:46

-I do a little bit of solo here.

0:20:460:20:49

-It's a version

-of "He Was Beautiful"...

0:20:490:20:52

-..that put Iris on top

-of the charts in the 1970s.

0:20:520:20:55

-The Welsh title is "Haul Yr Haf".

0:20:550:20:58

-I feel a bit of pressure.

0:20:590:21:01

-When you do an iconic song...

0:21:020:21:04

-..in a different way...

0:21:040:21:06

-..there's pressure to be

-at least as good as the original...

0:21:060:21:11

-..or there's no point doing it.

0:21:110:21:13

-I hope all goes well.

0:21:130:21:15

-I'm doing the first verse.

0:21:160:21:18

-But am I singing all the way through

-or not? It is my song, after all!

0:21:180:21:22

-It is, exactly!

0:21:230:21:23

-It is, exactly!

-

-Exactly.

0:21:230:21:24

-Now listen...

0:21:240:21:25

-..you're going to do it in Gog,

-and I'm doing it in South, right?!

0:21:260:21:30

-This is going to be interesting.

0:21:300:21:31

-This is going to be interesting.

-

-There we are!

0:21:310:21:33

-Very interesting.

0:21:330:21:34

-Yes.

0:21:340:21:35

-# He was

0:21:370:21:40

-# Beautiful #

0:21:410:21:44

-It was time to discover

-how Iris's hit would work as a duet.

0:21:450:21:49

-I have to admit, I felt nervous.

0:21:490:21:52

-It was hard to read her mind.

0:21:520:21:55

-# From the moment I saw him

0:21:550:21:58

-# The sun

0:21:580:22:01

-# Filled the sky

0:22:020:22:08

-# He was so

0:22:100:22:12

-# So beautiful

0:22:120:22:17

-# Beautiful

0:22:180:22:21

-# Just to hold

0:22:210:22:24

-# In my dreams

0:22:260:22:30

-# He was springtime

0:22:310:22:34

-# Winter was cold #

0:22:350:22:41

-Not bad at all.

0:22:420:22:44

-The voices are nice together.

0:22:440:22:46

-The voices are nice together.

-

-Sounded great.

0:22:460:22:47

-Lovely.

0:22:470:22:48

-IRIS MIMICS RHYS'S ACCENT

0:22:490:22:51

-Right, once again.

0:22:510:22:53

-It sounded great.

0:22:550:22:57

-Of course it did.

0:22:570:22:59

-Why is she surprised?!

0:23:010:23:03

-Happy to go for another full pass?

-Stop me if you want to stop me.

0:23:040:23:09

-No, I'm not going to stop you.

-I've never stopped a man yet.

0:23:090:23:14

-Iris' mischief continues

-after the break.

0:23:170:23:20

-We meet former

-Valleys' neighbours...

0:23:200:23:23

-..visit the place

-where it all started...

0:23:230:23:26

-..the sad story behind her hit...

0:23:270:23:30

-..and the song itself.

0:23:300:23:32

-.

0:23:320:23:32

-Subtitles

0:23:360:23:36

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:23:360:23:38

-Iris and I have shared

-quite a journey.

0:23:390:23:42

-I visited her in New York.

0:23:430:23:45

-She has come to see me in Wales.

0:23:450:23:48

-I knew she'd had a hard upbringing.

0:23:480:23:51

-We're retracing her past

-in the Valleys.

0:23:520:23:56

-# If you're travelling

-through the Valleys

0:23:560:23:59

-# Stop and look around #

0:24:000:24:04

-This is very exciting.

-I should have a chauffeur's hat.

0:24:050:24:09

-Chauffeuring a diva

-around the Valleys.

0:24:090:24:12

-Yes... you know.

0:24:120:24:14

-What kind of area

-was it to grow up in?

0:24:150:24:19

-I used to do a lot of walking...

0:24:200:24:24

-..from Tonyrefail to Pontypridd.

0:24:250:24:27

-..from Tonyrefail to Pontypridd.

-

-Oh, right.

0:24:270:24:28

-That's far.

0:24:290:24:30

-That's far.

-

-I know.

0:24:300:24:31

-I used to love walking. I still do.

0:24:310:24:34

-Tonypandy is where I used

-to learn to tap dance.

0:24:340:24:38

-Llantristant is where

-I had my very first job...

0:24:380:24:42

-..in a glove factory.

0:24:430:24:45

-I used to walk there, too.

0:24:460:24:48

-If it was snowing, I was probably

-the only one who turned up!

0:24:480:24:53

-As we approached

-her old home in Tonyrefail...

0:24:540:24:58

-..Iris told me

-the story of her childhood.

0:24:580:25:02

-I was born, of course.

0:25:030:25:05

-I was put into

-a children's home immediately.

0:25:050:25:09

-My mother, sadly, she was married,

-but not to my father.

0:25:090:25:14

-They met in Maindy Hall

-in the war days.

0:25:160:25:19

-She went to a dance

-and met my father.

0:25:210:25:25

-One thing led to another, I suppose.

-And here I am.

0:25:250:25:29

-In Pontypridd in those days,

-it was a sin, wasn't it?

0:25:310:25:35

-In Wales.

0:25:360:25:37

-Her husband,

-when he came back from the war...

0:25:390:25:42

-..and she said, "I'm pregnant."

0:25:420:25:45

-He said, "Don't worry.

-That'll be OK. We'll bring it up."

0:25:450:25:49

-But then when I was born,

-I was the wrong colour.

0:25:490:25:52

-He said, "That'll never do. We're

-going to have to give it away."

0:25:520:25:57

-I think it must be Number 33.

0:25:570:26:00

-Yes, it's 33 Nant Eirin.

0:26:010:26:03

-Twenty seven.

0:26:030:26:05

-I went to about three homes...

0:26:050:26:09

-..before I got lucky.

0:26:100:26:13

-I was lucky to live

-with Mrs Llewellyn...

0:26:130:26:17

-..Bronwen.

0:26:170:26:19

-Bronwen Llewellyn

-was her foster mother.

0:26:190:26:22

-She gave Iris a loving home...

0:26:220:26:26

-..and luckily, a musical one.

0:26:260:26:29

-She introduced me

-to a lot of musical things...

0:26:290:26:32

-..dancing, tap dancing.

0:26:330:26:34

-It was great. That's when

-she discovered that I had a voice.

0:26:350:26:39

-It must be the end. Thirty three.

-There you are. That's it.

0:26:400:26:44

-We should have

-a plaque on the house.

0:26:440:26:47

-That's right!

0:26:470:26:49

-You stay there.

0:26:500:26:51

-The homecoming queen!

0:26:570:26:59

-The star opening the door

-for the other star!

0:27:000:27:03

-This is the first time

-she's been back in her old home.

0:27:040:27:10

-Bronwen lived here.

0:27:100:27:12

-Bronwen lived here.

-

-Yes, Bronwen Llewellyn.

0:27:120:27:14

-She was the only one

-who could put up with me.

0:27:140:27:17

-The family lived in Number 33

-before moving to Number 37.

0:27:190:27:23

-Hello.

0:27:240:27:25

-Hello.

-

-Hiya.

0:27:250:27:26

-I forgot about the "Hiya"!

0:27:260:27:29

-The same neighbours still live here.

0:27:310:27:33

-The same neighbours still live here.

-

-How are you, Jeanette. Alright?

0:27:330:27:36

-Nice to see you.

0:27:360:27:38

-It's been a long time.

0:27:380:27:42

-This is Rhys Meirion,

-a very famous singer.

0:27:420:27:46

-We've been singing duets together

-for this programme.

0:27:460:27:50

-You know what a duet is, don't you?

-Two people who sing together.

0:27:500:27:55

-I know I worked in a glove factory,

-but I'm not that dull!

0:27:550:27:59

-Those were the days.

0:27:590:28:02

-Was she a character back then?

0:28:020:28:04

-Was she a character back then?

-

-Oh, Iris was quiet.

0:28:040:28:06

-I know you don't believe me.

0:28:060:28:08

-I was very shy.

0:28:090:28:10

-I was very shy.

-

-A very quiet girl.

0:28:100:28:12

-I used to sing, though.

0:28:130:28:15

-Iris went from there

-down to Cardiff to train.

0:28:150:28:19

-I'm not lying.

-The truth will be told.

0:28:190:28:22

-Where are you living now?

0:28:230:28:24

-Where are you living now?

-

-America.

0:28:240:28:26

-New York.

0:28:260:28:27

-Iris won a scholarship to Cardiff's

-College Of Music And Drama.

0:28:290:28:33

-It was the beginning of the journey.

0:28:330:28:36

-# Wherever you may wander

0:28:360:28:38

-# You'll never feel alone #

0:28:390:28:42

-We left Tonyrefail

-and came to Cardiff.

0:28:420:28:46

-This is where it all started for

-Iris when she was 18. Isn't it nice?

0:28:470:28:52

-It's big.

0:28:520:28:54

-And new.

0:28:550:28:56

-When you went to the college...

0:28:560:28:59

-..what was the dream?

0:28:590:29:01

-To be an opera singer.

0:29:010:29:03

-That didn't work. It worked

-for you, it didn't work for me!

0:29:030:29:07

-She set out to be

-a classical singer, a soprano.

0:29:080:29:13

-# RECORDING OF IRIS

-SINGING SOPRANO #

0:29:140:29:17

-A tutor, Madam Hilga, happened

-to pass the rehearsal room.

0:29:170:29:22

-She was a Hungarian. "You are

-not soprano. You're a contralto."

0:29:220:29:28

-I said, "When did that happen?"

-She said, "Not yet."

0:29:280:29:32

-You can hold my hand if you want.

0:29:330:29:34

-You can hold my hand if you want.

-

-Let's hold hands.

0:29:340:29:36

-Iris and I wanted

-to have a look around.

0:29:370:29:42

-Ready?

0:29:420:29:42

-Ready?

-

-Ready.

0:29:420:29:43

-Iris Williams!

0:29:440:29:45

-Oh! Thanks for coming.

0:29:470:29:50

-Where are they?

0:29:510:29:52

-Where are they?

-

-No-one turned up to see us.

0:29:520:29:55

-It's lovely.

0:29:570:29:58

-Look at the woodwork.

0:29:590:30:01

-You're a Fellow of this college.

0:30:010:30:03

-Yes, a Fellow of The Welsh College

-Of Music And Drama.

0:30:040:30:07

-That's a huge honour.

0:30:080:30:09

-That's a huge honour.

-

-It is an honour.

0:30:090:30:11

-When was that?

0:30:110:30:12

-When was that?

-

-1999.

0:30:120:30:13

-I remember it like it was yesterday.

0:30:130:30:16

-It was great, wonderful.

0:30:170:30:19

-Ready?

0:30:230:30:23

-Ready?

-

-Ready.

0:30:230:30:25

-# He was

0:30:260:30:29

-# Beautiful

0:30:300:30:33

-# Beautiful

0:30:340:30:37

-# To my eyes #

0:30:380:30:39

-Iris's old friend Hywel Gwynfryn

-wrote the Welsh lyrics.

0:30:400:30:45

-He's an old hand at translating as

-well as composing original lyrics.

0:30:450:30:50

-We met on Disc A Dawn.

0:30:500:30:53

-Disc A Dawn started in 1967.

0:30:540:30:56

-I remember seeing Iris

-for the first time.

0:30:570:31:01

-I hope she'll forgive me

-for saying this...

0:31:010:31:04

-..but she was the first

-dark-skinned girl I'd ever seen.

0:31:050:31:09

-Really?

0:31:090:31:11

-She looked amazing.

0:31:110:31:13

-If I remember rightly, your hair

-was piled high on your head.

0:31:140:31:19

-It was a bit like

-Helen Shapiro's beehive...

0:31:190:31:23

-..only not quite as high!

0:31:230:31:26

-She looked amazing.

-And she could sing.

0:31:270:31:31

-It was a very happy time.

0:31:310:31:34

-Hywel wrote song lyrics

-for entertainment programmes.

0:31:360:31:41

-He sang too, when he had the chance.

0:31:410:31:44

-Years later,

-and with a huge hit on her hands...

0:31:440:31:47

-..when Iris wanted

-to translate He Was Beautiful...

0:31:470:31:51

-..she turned to Hywel.

0:31:510:31:53

-Iris wanted to translate

-He Was Beautiful.

0:31:540:31:57

-At the time, my close friend

-Geraint Morris was terminally ill.

0:31:590:32:04

-I knew him.

0:32:040:32:05

-He and his wife Sian

-were close friends.

0:32:050:32:09

-They'd been there for me

-through difficult times.

0:32:100:32:14

-A few months before he died...

0:32:150:32:19

-..I was with him in his home

-in Chepstow.

0:32:200:32:24

-I think we both knew...

0:32:240:32:26

-..there wouldn't be many

-conversations like this one...

0:32:260:32:30

-..in the future.

0:32:300:32:32

-At the same time, actually...

0:32:320:32:35

-..you asked for words for

-He Was Beautiful.

0:32:350:32:38

-Timing is everything.

0:32:380:32:40

-I read the words.

0:32:400:32:42

-The feeling I got was

-that this could be a song...

0:32:420:32:45

-..sung on her behalf, by you,

-to Geraint.

0:32:460:32:51

-That's how it came to me.

0:32:520:32:55

-Sian was telling Geraint...

0:32:550:32:59

-..how much he meant to her.

0:33:000:33:02

-Who better to sing it than Iris?

0:33:020:33:05

-She's crying!

0:33:060:33:08

-Thanks for the way you sing it.

0:33:100:33:13

-To me, it's your song.

0:33:130:33:15

-It's a privilege and thrill

-to sing it with you.

0:33:160:33:20

-Thank you.

0:33:230:33:24

-You're welcome.

0:33:240:33:26

-# He was

0:33:310:33:34

-# Beautiful

0:33:350:33:38

-# Beautiful

0:33:390:33:42

-# To my eyes

0:33:430:33:46

-# From the moment

0:33:470:33:50

-# I saw him

0:33:520:33:54

-# The sun

0:33:550:33:57

-# Filled the sky

0:33:570:34:02

-# He was so

0:34:030:34:07

-# So beautiful

0:34:080:34:11

-# Beautiful

0:34:130:34:15

-# Just to hold

0:34:160:34:19

-# In my dreams

0:34:200:34:23

-# He was springtime

0:34:250:34:28

-# Winter was cold

0:34:290:34:35

-# How could

0:34:370:34:40

-# I tell him

0:34:410:34:43

-# What I so clearly

0:34:440:34:48

-# Could see

0:34:480:34:51

-# How I longed

0:34:520:34:56

-# To be near him

0:34:570:35:00

-# I'd never

0:35:010:35:04

-# Be free

0:35:050:35:08

-# It was

0:35:080:35:12

-# Beautiful

0:35:130:35:16

-# Knowing now

0:35:170:35:20

-# That he cared

0:35:200:35:23

-# I will always

0:35:240:35:28

-# Remember

0:35:300:35:32

-# Those moments

0:35:330:35:36

-# We shared

0:35:360:35:39

-# Now it's all over

0:35:410:35:47

-# Still the feelings linger on

0:35:470:35:54

-# My dream keeps returning

0:35:550:36:03

-# Now that he's gone

0:36:040:36:10

-# For it was beautiful

0:36:120:36:17

-# Beautiful

0:36:170:36:21

-# Beautiful

0:36:230:36:25

-# To be

0:36:250:36:31

-# Loved #

0:36:310:36:36

-Coming up, a surprise for Iris.

0:36:440:36:47

-And the finale is a familiar song...

0:36:480:36:51

-..with Treorchy Male Voice Choir

-and Cordydd.

0:36:520:36:55

-A fitting end.

0:36:550:36:57

-.

0:36:580:36:58

-*

0:37:010:37:01

-From where we stopped?

0:37:010:37:02

-From where we stopped?

-

-Yes.

0:37:020:37:03

-From the start.

-Look at me, I'm talking Welsh.

0:37:040:37:07

-We turned to the song that brought

-Iris to the nation's attention.

0:37:080:37:13

-# A pilgrim

0:37:140:37:19

-# In a desert land

0:37:190:37:24

-# I wander

0:37:250:37:27

-# Far and wide #

0:37:280:37:31

-It's hard to appreciate

-the song's powerful impact.

0:37:310:37:34

-It was sung in Welsh

-by a mixed race girl.

0:37:350:37:38

-At the time, TV entertainers

-were predominately white.

0:37:380:37:42

-Iris's story chronicles

-the time when Welsh pop music...

0:37:420:37:47

-..reached out to a broader audience.

0:37:470:37:51

-# LAST NOTE OF PERERIN WYF #

0:37:520:37:55

-I didn't take enough breath.

0:37:550:37:58

-# The falling leaves #

0:37:580:38:02

-Our journey was almost over.

0:38:020:38:06

-In Pontypridd,

-I had one last thing to do.

0:38:060:38:10

-I have a surprise for you.

0:38:100:38:13

-Surprise? As you say in North Wales,

-"A surprise, isn't it?!"

0:38:130:38:18

-There's someone waiting

-to see you in the museum.

0:38:180:38:23

-Let's go in, shall we?

0:38:230:38:25

-Let's go in, shall we?

-

-OK, great.

0:38:250:38:27

-# The falling leaves

0:38:270:38:30

-# Of red and gold #

0:38:310:38:34

-Ashley!

0:38:390:38:40

-When did you arrive?

0:38:430:38:44

-Ashley is Iris's brother.

0:38:440:38:46

-You look fabulous.

0:38:470:38:48

-You look fabulous.

-

-You're looking good yourself.

0:38:480:38:50

-# Broadway, Broadway #

0:38:500:38:53

-Thank you, Ashley.

0:38:530:38:55

-Lovely to see you.

0:38:550:38:57

-Lovely to see you.

-

-Oh!

0:38:570:38:58

-Ashley is your brother.

0:38:590:39:02

-Same mother...

0:39:030:39:04

-Same mother...

-

-..different father.

0:39:040:39:06

-That's how it goes, isn't it?

0:39:060:39:08

-We don't mind.

0:39:080:39:09

-We don't mind.

-

-We don't care. We're very close.

0:39:090:39:12

-How did you meet for the first time?

0:39:140:39:17

-Iris put an advert in a local

-newspaper here in Pontypridd...

0:39:180:39:23

-..asking could anyone help her

-to trace her mother.

0:39:230:39:27

-A friend of mine read it

-and phoned me.

0:39:280:39:31

-I went to see our mother. I said,

-"Somebody wants to try to find you."

0:39:310:39:36

-You continued that relationship...

0:39:360:39:39

-..and visited our mother

-for many, many years.

0:39:390:39:42

-As I was becoming more well known,

-and I was doing interviews...

0:39:430:39:47

-..people would say,

-"What about your background?"

0:39:470:39:51

-I didn't know

-what my background was.

0:39:510:39:53

-Apart from wanting

-to meet my mother...

0:39:540:39:56

-..I needed to know

-about how I came about.

0:39:560:39:59

-We all know how we come about,

-but you know what I'm saying.

0:39:590:40:03

-You met your mother,

-and had a bonus as well.

0:40:030:40:06

-It must have been so emotional.

0:40:060:40:09

-It was. Ashley had been

-following me. You knew who I was.

0:40:090:40:13

-It was kind of a secret

-of the family.

0:40:130:40:16

-We didn't quite know

-how they were going to take it.

0:40:160:40:20

-As is well documented...

0:40:200:40:23

-..our mother had a relationship

-during World War 2.

0:40:230:40:28

-A lot of American soldiers

-were here.

0:40:280:40:31

-Obviously, it was

-a very difficult period for her...

0:40:310:40:35

-..and other family members.

0:40:350:40:37

-But it did result in a miracle.

0:40:370:40:38

-But it did result in a miracle.

-

-It did.

0:40:380:40:39

-That's a lovely way of saying it.

0:40:400:40:41

-That's a lovely way of saying it.

-

-Yes, it is.

0:40:410:40:42

-I want to show you something.

0:40:430:40:46

-Look what they've got in here.

0:40:470:40:48

-Look what they've got in here.

-

-What have they got in here?

0:40:480:40:51

-Look.

0:40:520:40:52

-Look.

-

-Oh, my goodness me. "Atgofion".

0:40:520:40:55

-Your CD.

0:40:550:40:57

-Is that all I'm worth, four bucks?!

0:40:570:40:58

-Is that all I'm worth, four bucks?!

-

-They haven't got any of mine!

0:40:580:41:00

-Well there you are!

0:41:030:41:05

-I have one last surprise.

0:41:060:41:08

-I have one last surprise.

-

-What?

0:41:080:41:09

-You'll see.

0:41:100:41:11

-You'll see.

-

-OK.

0:41:110:41:12

-There are a lot of stairs.

0:41:150:41:17

-Oh!

0:41:170:41:18

-Look who is here.

0:41:190:41:20

-Look who is here.

-

-Oh, my goodness.

0:41:200:41:21

-You're famous.

0:41:210:41:24

-There you are with the queen.

0:41:250:41:27

-There you are with the queen.

-

-Yes.

0:41:270:41:29

-OBE.

0:41:290:41:30

-Is this it?

0:41:310:41:32

-Is this it?

-

-I wore it.

0:41:320:41:34

-Iris Williams, OBE.

0:41:340:41:36

-"Pererin Wyf".

-I've had enough of that now.

0:41:370:41:41

-Enough is enough!

0:41:410:41:42

-Enough is enough!

-

-A cup of tea.

0:41:420:41:44

-# I need each step

0:41:440:41:47

-# To Paradise

0:41:480:41:50

-# My God

0:41:510:41:54

-# To be my guide #

0:41:550:41:58

-All I can say

-about making this programme is...

0:41:590:42:02

-..that it's been an experience.

0:42:020:42:04

-It was wonderful

-to have Iris Williams's company.

0:42:050:42:09

-She's an international star.

0:42:090:42:12

-But her feet are firmly on

-the ground, as we saw in Tonyrefail.

0:42:130:42:18

-Her story is an inspirational one.

0:42:180:42:21

-# Where the unnumbered throng #

0:42:220:42:27

-I was a little bit apprehensive

-about singing a duet.

0:42:290:42:33

-I just don't do duets with anybody.

0:42:330:42:36

-But with Rhys, it was so easy.

0:42:360:42:39

-He's handsome for a start,

-and he's got a great personality.

0:42:390:42:44

-When you connect to somebody

-for the first time...

0:42:450:42:48

-..and he's got a great laugh and

-the same wicked sense of humour...

0:42:490:42:54

-..so that's a help.

0:42:550:42:57

-Our voices blended perfectly.

-I didn't know who was singing what.

0:42:580:43:03

-It was just magic.

0:43:030:43:06

-Let's have a listen now.

0:43:110:43:13

-Let's have a listen now.

-

-Wow.

0:43:130:43:14

-# In a desert land #

0:43:150:43:17

-You've sung this before, have you?

0:43:170:43:20

-You've sung this before, have you?

-

-A few times!

0:43:200:43:22

-Gorgeous.

0:43:230:43:25

-# A pilgrim

0:43:460:43:51

-# In a desert land

0:43:520:43:56

-# I wander far and wide

0:43:570:44:06

-# Expecting

0:44:070:44:12

-# I may sometime come

0:44:130:44:17

-# Close to my father's side

0:44:170:44:25

-# Ahead of me

0:44:280:44:32

-# I think I hear

0:44:330:44:37

-# Sounds of a heavenly choir

0:44:380:44:47

-# A conquering host

0:44:480:44:54

-# Already gone

0:44:540:44:58

-# Through tempest

0:44:580:45:02

-# Flood and fire

0:45:020:45:08

-# Come Holy Spirit

0:45:140:45:19

-# Fire by night

0:45:200:45:23

-# Pillar of cloud by day

0:45:240:45:34

-# Lead for I dare not

0:45:350:45:40

-# Take a step

0:45:400:45:44

-# Unless Thou

0:45:450:45:49

-# Show the way

0:45:500:45:54

-# So prone am I

0:45:550:45:59

-# When on my own

0:46:000:46:04

-# To stray

0:46:050:46:08

-# From side to side

0:46:090:46:15

-# I need each step

0:46:160:46:20

-# To Paradise

0:46:220:46:25

-# My God

0:46:260:46:28

-# To be

0:46:290:46:31

-# My guide

0:46:310:46:35

-# I have a yearning

0:46:470:46:52

-# For that land

0:46:530:46:56

-# Where the unnumbered throng

0:46:570:47:07

-# Extol the death

0:47:070:47:11

-# On Calvary

0:47:130:47:17

-# In heaven's

0:47:180:47:21

-# Unending song

0:47:210:47:27

-# In heaven's

0:47:280:47:31

-# Unending song #

0:47:320:47:39

-S4C Subtitles by Gwead

0:48:090:48:11

-.

0:48:110:48:12

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