Sbardun Stiwdio Gefn

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-Subtitles

-Welcome to a special programme

-in tribute to Alun 'Sbardun' Huws.

-Over the next hour,

-popular musicians will perform...

-..a selection of the

-talented musician's work.

-Sbardun was a member

-of several groups...

-..including Tebot Piws,

-Ac Eraill and Mynediad am Ddim.

-He became a prominent composer

-in the past decades.

-He wrote songs for artists

-like Bryn Fon, Linda Griffiths...

-..Sian James, Brigyn and Casi.

-He came from Penrhyndeudraeth

-and he never forgot his roots.

-Belonging and his home

-were prominent themes in his songs.

-He wrote candidly

-about his life and experiences.

-We start with a song from 1998

-- Dawnsio ar y Dibyn.

-INSTRUMENTAL INTRODUCTION

-# A phone call

-from the other side of the world

-# The sun rises over the street

-# As he tried to stop himself

-from shaking

-# He reached for the clear bottle

-# The only remedy for his pain

-# Before long,

-everything seemed brighter

-# In the sound of the waves and wind

-# There were echoes

-of old rock and roll tunes

-# On the faraway horizon

-# There was a couple

-who were old enough to know better

-# Dancing on the edge

-# In the thunder and rain

-# Dancing on the edge

-# A bottle in his hand

-# He lost confidence, lost faith

-# He lost friends, every day

-# He brought shame upon himself

-and upon her

-# She grabbed his hand

-and held it tight

-# Whilst she stared at the wallpaper

-# Seeing people's faces

-from the Sixties

-# In the sound of the waves and wind

-# There were echoes

-of old rock and roll tunes

-# On the faraway horizon

-# There were a couple

-who are old enough to know better

-# Dancing on the edge

-# In the thunder and rain

-# Dancing on the edge

-# A bottle in his hand

-# Ghosts in the black glass

-# Faraway memories

-# Of old Jerry Lee rock tunes

-# Back in those wild days

-# He lost everyone apart from her

-# She couldn't leave him

-dancing alone

-# There's nobody left

-# Only a rock and roll nightmare

-# On the faraway horizon

-# There are a couple

-who are old enough to know better

-# Dancing on the edge

-# In the thunder and rain

-# With her bleeding heart

-# A bottle in his hand

-# Dancing on the edge

-# In the thunder and rain

-# She stands by his side

-# His bottle in the dirt

-# His bottle in the dirt #

-Sbardun's musical career

-spanned over 40 years.

-He first performed with

-the wild band, Tebot Piws...

-..and he was one of the wildest!

-From then onwards, he was

-associated with other groups...

-..including Ac Eraill, Mynediad am

-Ddim and the Nia Ben Aur rock opera.

-He was a fantastic pianist

-and an accompanist for Tecwyn Ifan.

-He was a true musician,

-in every sense of the word.

-In addition to being a performer,

-he was a master of instruments.

-He admitted that

-he wasn't much of a singer...

-..but he was a fantastic guitarist.

-He was able to play

-any string instrument.

-He was also a guitar collector.

-Now, we tend to think of him more

-as a composer for various artists.

-His songs were simple and memorable.

-I know from experience

-that this isn't an easy task.

-He mastered in this field.

-His roots were in Celtic

-and Americana music.

-Over the past few years,

-we've compiled his songs.

-People are surprised

-by the amount of songs he penned.

-There wasn't any space for

-more than 40 songs on the CD.

-It's testament to his ability

-as a composer.

-INSTRUMENTAL INTRODUCTION

-# I will sing my song for you

-# During the harsh winter

-# Under the cold,

-black sky of the night

-# When snow swirls to the ground

-# I will sing my song for you

-# To keep you warm and cosy

-# During the early hours,

-the notes of the song

-# Will sustain us forever

-# Sustain us forever

-# I will sing my song for you

-# Under green spring branches

-# To the accompaniment

-of the crows and lambs

-# And the blossoming

-roadside flowers

-# I will sing my song for you

-# It will be a haven

-and shelter from the heat

-# On those warm evenings,

-when summer is at its peak

-# The song will bring us closer

-# The song will bring us closer

-INSTRUMENTAL

-# I will sing my song for you

-# Under the autumn leaves

-# When smoke rises

-from the tips of gold

-# And the sun's blush diminishes

-# I will sing my song for you

-# A song of hope

-during these strange times

-# In the water and fire,

-the song was composed

-# I'm singing this song for you

-# In the water and fire,

-the song was composed

-# I'm singing this song for you

-# I'm singing this song for you #

-Join us after the break for more

-Alun 'Sbardun' Huws songs...

-..in the company of Magi Tudur

-and Parti Cut Lloi.

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-Subtitles

-Welcome back to Y Stiwdio Gefn

-in tribute to Alun 'Sbardun' Huws.

-One of Sbardun's co-performers

-and close friends...

-..is the musician and composer,

-Emyr Huws Jones.

-Sbard' became my best friend

-from the moment we met in 1968.

-Both of us were studying

-to be teachers at Cyncoed.

-We failed the course

-but that's another story.

-I clearly recall the moment we met.

-He resembled a wild hippie.

-However, we became instant friends.

-Both of us owned guitars

-so we played music together.

-Our sense of humour

-also helped us bond.

-We always made each other laugh...

-..and that was an integral part

-of our friendship.

-During my year at Cyncoed...

-..every Wednesday afternoon,

-without fail...

-..we'd visit the joke shop.

-It wasn't unusual to spot...

-..two tutors marching down St Mary's

-Street holding their squeaky sticks!

-Sbardun had mischievous glint

-in his eyes.

-He was a practical joker.

-He always caught me out

-on April Fools' Day.

-His tricks were epic.

-He always sent me a Christmas parcel

-that included a novelty gift.

-It was a whoopee cushion...

-..or a pair of glasses

-with windscreen wipers!

-It made me chuckle

-and he loved making us laugh.

-# I don't like bloody hippies

-# They're so bloody messy

-# Talking about some zodiacs

-# And the influence of bloody stars

-# I don't like bloody students

-# They're all so big-headed

-# Pretending to be real ravers

-# But they're actually bloody snobs

-# I prefer

-# Real men

-# Who smoke Park Drive

-# And drink in the afternoon

-# I don't like chapel-goers

-# They're so bloody dry

-# Smug elders

-# With their long faces

-# I don't like bloody teachers

-# They're so bloody straight

-# Bullying little children all day

-# And thinking that they're great

-# I prefer

-# Real men

-# Who smoke Park Drive

-# And drink in the afternoon

-# I don't like folk singing

-# It's all such a bloody bore

-# Dressed in long skirts and wigs

-# And singing in a choir

-# I prefer

-# Real men

-# Who smoke Park Drive

-# And drink in the afternoon

-# I prefer

-# Real men

-# Who smoke Park Drive

-# And drink, and drink

-# In the afternoon #

-I met him in the 1970s,

-before you were even born, Mair.

-I recall his fabulous flowing locks.

-He was fortunate to be born

-with such stylish hair.

-He wore denim and shopped

-at Gentle Folk in Cardiff.

-It was the place to buy

-double denim in the 1970s.

-It was fashionable look.

-He started the style of wearing

-a red cravat around his neck...

-..and many Welsh pop groups

-copied the look.

-I recall growing up and trying

-to be my like my cool Uncle Al.

-He was different to other relatives.

-He had a tattoo and earring

-before they were cool and trendy...

-..because he felt like it.

-He would also wear colourful

-Converse trainers...

-..and a neckerchief,

-as Sioned mentioned.

-He oozed style and sophistication.

-I think his style

-and eye for fashion...

-..came from his passion for the

-finer things in life and the arts.

-He was a fantastic photographer

-and talented artist.

-He taught me how to paint

-and capture great photographs.

-I've also inherited his camera...

-..and am following the same

-Ffotogallery course as he did.

-If you took a stroll with Sbard'

-he would bring his camera along.

-He was always behind you...

-..taking photos of a stone,

-a hole in a wall or piece of wood.

-He photographed anything

-that caught his eye.

-This was one of his traits.

-He also produced

-beautiful handwriting.

-It was a pleasure to receive

-a letter or note from Sbard'.

-When composing a song,

-he wrote down the lyrics...

-..in his beautiful

-and neat handwriting.

-He wasn't afraid of being unique

-and was comfortable in his own skin.

-I admired this unique trait that

-became more prominent over time.

-It was also reflected in

-his composing and music.

-He had grown into a fearless

-and confident individual.

-# I bid farewell to Porthmadog town

-# Sail away to see the world

-# Leave my mother and the boys

-# And Mary from the end of the road

-# Farewell to the Cob,

-Cnicht and Snowdon

-# Boston Lodge and Moelwyn Mawr

-# I leave the land

-on a clear morning

-# To sail the vast seas

-# There are four masts

-on the schooner

-# Her name is Elen

-# I'll travel far away on her deck

-# Over the ocean's fierce waves

-# To Dingle, Cork and Nova Scotia

-# Patagonia and Frisco Bay

-# Newfoundland and the Rio Grande

-# And the South Seas Islands

-# I'll carry blue slates

-from Ffestiniog

-# Tea, salt, grains and coal

-# Back and forth

-from France to Spain

-# Round the Horn to Galio

-# The second mate is a fearsome man

-# He eats nails and breathes fire

-# Captain James is a kind sailor

-# The cook is as black as a crow

-INSTRUMENTAL

-# When the storms

-at the Bay of Biscay

-# Throw waves higher than our house

-# The ship sails on four winds

-# On a cold and dark night

-# I remember the summer

-in the parish of Llanfrothen

-# Walking through the fields of hay

-# Listening to the sound

-of the little birds

-# And holding hands with Mary

-# Listening to the sound

-of the little birds

-# And holding hands with Mary #

-After the break, we enjoy more

-Alun 'Sbardun' Huws songs...

-..with Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog,

-Brigyn and Bryn Fon.

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-Subtitles

-# There's a forest on fire

-by the border in Guatemala

-# And the stars are falling

-on the way to Choroni

-# The stars of the north

-are shining in Edinburgh

-# And you are on my mind

-# When life is hard

-and I'm part of the circus

-# And feel the night

-closing in on me

-# Though you are far away

-# I feel the warmth of your love

-# Far over the seas,

-far over the tides

-# The clouds are dark

-above Santa Maria

-# And the sound of a siren is loud

-on a street in Bangor, Maine

-# The bells tonight are ringing

-above the bleak walls in Bandon

-# And I long for your smile

-# When life is hard

-and I'm part of the circus

-# And feel the night

-closing in on me

-# Though you are far away

-# I feel the warmth of your love

-# Far over the seas,

-far over the tides

-# The moon tonight is full

-over the sand in Lamorna

-# It's raining in Vienna,

-and thunder and lightning in Tralee

-# It's midnight in Chichicastenango

-# And you are on my mind

-# When life is hard

-and I'm part of the circus

-# And feel the night

-closing in on me

-# Though you are far away,

-I feel the warmth of your love

-# Far over the seas,

-far over the tides #

-Spardun was a keen traveller.

-He enjoyed visiting foreign lands...

-..that offered

-different cultures and races.

-He toured America with his

-best friend, Emyr Huws Jones.

-They followed the famous Route 66.

-In 2006, I had the pleasure

-of travelling with him...

-..to Argentina, Patagonia

-and Australia on two occasions.

-At the start of the year,

-we made a visit for preparations...

-..and search for motorbikes,

-locations and horses.

-Actors don't tend go on these trips,

-but I went to choose my motorbike.

-We returned a few months later

-to start filming.

-Due to his fragile health...

-..and the relentless demands

-on a director and producer...

-..you could see that

-he was becoming tired.

-He enjoyed the work...

-..but the days were long

-and it entailed a lot of travelling.

-Towards the end of our trip,

-he told me that he missed Wales...

-..and wanted to be

-at home with Gwenno.

-# The moon was pink

-and the sky like ink

-# On the night I first saw her

-# It was late on a Thursday

-and the bar was about to close

-# When she looked over at me

-# I looked into her eyes

-and fell under her spell

-# I could see swirling stars

-and I lost my mind

-# I knew from the start

-that my glass was full

-# And that nobody compared to her

-# The breeze and sunshine

-made way for the rain

-# But I stayed faithful to her

-# When everyone had gone,

-she was still there, my friend

-# On the edge, dancing with me

-# The depths of her eyes

-were deeper than the sea

-# And her mercy

-extended as far as the stars

-# One thing was certain,

-whilst there was a sky and sea

-# Nobody compared to her

-# Time has passed but she's

-still my partner and friend

-# Her smile lights up my world

-# I wandered far

-but her arms were always better

-# Than the world's wonders

-# She opened my eyes,

-I'm learning every day

-# Tolerance, peace, love and grace

-# And I know for sure

-that all will be well

-# And that nobody compares to her

-# Ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo

-# Ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo

-# Ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo #

-In the final part...

-..Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog

-and Osian Huw will perform.

-First, here's Brigyn with

-Paid a Mynd i'r Nos Heb Ofyn Pam.

-INSTRUMENTAL INTRODUCTION

-# Do not go gentle

-into that good night

-# Old age should burn

-and rave at close of day

-# Rage, rage

-against the dying of the light

-# Though wise men at their end

-know dark is right

-# Because their words

-had forked no lightning

-# Do not go gentle

-into that good night

-# Good men, crying how bright

-their frail deeds might have danced

-# In a green bay

-# Rage, rage

-against the dying of the light

-# Wild men who caught and sang

-# The sun in flight and learn,

-too late, they grieve it on its way

-# Do not go gentle

-into that good night

-INSTRUMENTAL

-# Grave men, near death,

-who see with blinding sight

-# Blind eyes could blaze

-like meteors and be gay

-# Rage, rage

-against the dying of the light

-# And you, my father,

-there on the sad height

-# Curse, bless, me now

-with your fierce tears, I pray

-# Do not go gentle

-into that good night

-# Rage, rage

-against the dying of the light #

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-Subtitles

-Welcome back to the final part

-of our Alun 'Sbardun' Huws special.

-Sbardun's long-time neighbour...

-..who is familiar with his work

-is the Chief Bard, T James Jones.

-In my opinion...

-..Sbardun was not only

-a talented musician...

-..but also a poet.

-His compositions

-placed emphasis on the lyrics.

-His ideas...

-..his philosophy...

-..and beliefs...

-..became evident in the lyrics

-he wrote for his songs.

-He shared his interest

-as a wordsmith...

-..when I was his neighbour.

-He asked me to teach him

-how to write strict metre poetry.

-Once a week for ten weeks,

-we studied cynghanedd...

-..for at least an hour,

-every Tuesday morning.

-I would visit his house

-and sit at the kitchen table.

-Both of us sat at either end

-of this long table.

-This book is proof of his talent.

-I didn't know of its existence

-as he hadn't told me about it.

-On the front, it reads...

-.."Cynghanedd Lessons

-with T James Jones."

-I was thrilled to receive this book

-from Gwenno.

-In this book, he wrote notes

-about the rules of cynghanedd.

-When he became familiar

-with the rules...

-..I asked him to write a few lines.

-There's one line

-that stands out to me.

-"Without faith in Adam Faith."

-I loved that line.

-To me, it was proof

-that he had grasp it.

-Next, we have a performance

-from Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog.

-Two years ago,

-Sbardun sent them a song.

-Here's their first public

-performance of Lili'r Wyddfa.

-# There's a man who lives all alone

-# On a faraway, remote island

-# In a white castle on a hill

-# That's where he lies in his cell

-# Every day,

-he recalls the white flower

-# As he looks out towards the sea

-# But days come and go

-# For the man in the tower

-# Where the Snowdon lily once grew

-# There's now just weeds

-# The song in his heart died

-# Like the wilting white flower

-# Oh, how he loved the Snowdon lily

-# On the slopes in the crosswinds

-# But the Snowdon lily disappeared

-# Its life was short-lived

-# The man was one

-of the valley's children

-# He wandered the black cliff

-# Eighteen years old

-at the foot of the rock

-# That's where he loved her

-# But now he's safe

-from the world's arrows

-# Behind his strong walls

-# At the break of dawn

-and late at night

-# He whispers her name

-# Where the Snowdon lily once grew

-# There's now just weeds

-# The song in his heart died

-# Like the wilting white flower

-# Oh, how he loved the Snowdon lily

-# Fierce and generous

-# He wore her smile on his heart

-# And the mountain was his companion

-# Tonight on the acres of Snowdon

-# A seed flew

-on the wings of the wind

-# To rest between the paths of lambs

-# A new promise of the past's beauty

-# In the tower, the man still dreams

-# Like he does

-every night of his life

-# About a flower

-which shines like a bright star

-# On the slopes in the crosswinds #

-Our final song is full of memories

-about youth and home life.

-This is Sbardun's anthem and it pays

-tribute to the community of Penrhyn.

-Before Osian Huw Williams

-and Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog...

-..play us out with the classic,

-Strydoedd Aberstalwm...

-..here's Ac Eraill bandmate,

-Iestyn Garlick.

-Spardun travelled the globe

-and wrote about places...

-..like Guatemala, Tupelo

-in Mississippi and Patagonia...

-..but his songs always

-brought him back to his home.

-He was proud to come from Merioneth.

-He didn't live there,

-but his heart belonged there.

-He always sang about the Cob,

-Cnicht, Snowdon...

-..Boston Lodge and Moelwyn Mawr.

-Whilst touring with Ac Eraill

-many years ago...

-..if Sbardun spotted

-a Crosville bus, he felt at home.

-It made him feel safe.

-One day, we spotted a Crosville bus

-on the square in Fishguard.

-Spardun was never the same

-after that!

-He wrote songs about his native area

-like the one about the Coliseum.

-I can imagine him sitting

-in the warmth of the Coliseum...

-..whilst snow covers the Moelwyn.

-He's sitting there with

-ten Woodbines, Gwil and Jimmy Dean.

-The iconic song about the village

-between the sea and mountain...

-..has evolved into an anthem...

-..namely Strydoedd Aberstalwm.

-# Between land and sea

-# A long, long time ago

-# On a beautiful spring evening

-# The boys stay on the square

-# With their rock and roll shoes

-# As the Pwllheli bus approaches

-# The lights turn on, one by one

-# It's cosy in the bar of the Royal

-# I can see clearly

-# The way down the long path

-# To the streets of Aberstalwm

-# A long, long time ago

-# Johnny Paul papers

-# Came to open his shop

-# The factory horn sounded

-# Elvis played on the wireless

-# As children caught the train

-# As the evening dew disappeared

-# As the evening shift workers

-pack their bags

-# And head home

-for a cuppa before bed

-# The sound of their feet

-accelerated the bloodflow

-# On the streets of Aberstalwm

-# A long, long time ago

-# The little meadow flowers

-# Blowing in the wind

-# The curlew's song

-is carried by the wind

-# Down to the Ynysfach

-where children from Adwy Ddu

-# Flounder and swim

-# The solution

-is in the shadow of work

-# Swelling the play and the laughter

-# Long days under clear skies

-# On the beaches of Aberstalwm

-# A long, long time ago

-# Rock and Motown songs

-played on the jukebox in the cafe

-# The taste of smoke in the coffee

-# Where Cliff, Rich, Sheila

-and Janice have a laugh

-# Where nobody worries

-about tomorrow

-# God lives in the chapel

-on the hill

-# And the devil

-in the bar of the Royal

-# With our boys

-in their black leathers

-# On the streets of Aberstalwm

-# A long, long time ago

-# A long, long time ago #

-S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis

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