Côr Meibion Machynlleth Cefn Gwlad

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-# You're the only country for me,

-O Wales #

-Machynlleth Male Voice Choir.

-Yes, the old verse is true enough.

-"You're the only country for me,

-O Wales".

-A part of the old county of

-Montgomeryshire is in front of me.

-This is the area from which

-all the choir members originate.

-They say that the men and women

-of Bro Ddyfi start singing...

-..before they start crying.

-The subject of our programme today

-is Machynlleth Male Voice Choir...

-..one of the best male voice choirs

-in the world.

-# You're the only country for me

-# O Wales

-# We pass our traditions on

-to our children and grandchildren #

-There are 56 members in the choir.

-But only half of us can really sing.

-The eldest is 65

-and the youngest is 20.

-There are four sets of brothers

-in the choir...

-..and two fathers and sons.

-There are four teachers

-in the choir...

-..including the conductor,

-Aled Myrddin.

-Over half the members are farmers.

-It stinks here sometimes.

-We have one gardener. He likes

-to call himself a landscaper.

-We have one electrician and one vet.

-Four members are builders.

-I'm the best one, of course.

-One professional singer.

-I wouldn't go that far.

-# Stand with us #

-We come from every part of

-Montgomeryshire and beyond.

-Everyone in the choir speaks Welsh

-except one.

-The other is Irish,

-so he doesn't count.

-The choir was set up three years ago

-for the Meifod Eisteddfod.

-We came second. We were cheated.

-We were cheated at Abergavenny too,

-but it was a good night!

-We were lucky enough to win

-in Anglesey this year.

-We had a good night after that!

-Machynlleth is the home

-of the choir.

-They rehearse here in the shadow

-of the famous clock.

-The are rehearsing this evening.

-They've turned up in their trucks...

-..and parked on the yellow lines.

-The traffic warden could make

-a fortune.

-But, who cares, let's go in!

-The boys have a big day

-on the horizon...

-..singing the anthems

-and entertaining the crowd...

-..at the rugby match

-between Wales and New Zealand.

-They have to learn some new songs

-and some traditional Maori tunes.

-Aled, what a sound!

-They sing like angels.

-But they don't look like angels!

-Excellent!

-Congratulations on your successes

-up to now.

-You're a teacher in Ceredigion,

-but they don't work you too hard.

-You come here of an evening.

-It isn't an easy job,

-but you don't look stressed.

-You're not sweating.

-It must be a pleasure for you

-to come here.

-Yes, it is.

-I wouldn't do it otherwise.

-It's great to come here

-and have a bit of fun.

-We sing and we get invited

-to various events.

-It's nice to look forward to

-various activities.

-We're looking forward to the match.

-We're rehearsing for it now.

-It takes time,

-but the words are coming.

-I was listening to you outside.

-I'd never be able to say them!

-They can't say them either!

-Most of the choir members

-work on the land...

-..and there's nothing like

-the robust voices of farmers.

-The most well-known face and voice

-in the choir...

-..is Aled Wyn Davies

-or Aled Pentremawr.

-He is one of the Three Tenors

-who travel the world singing...

-..but his heart resides

-here at home.

-Aled Pentremawr sings

-to a high standard.

-He's come back from a world tour...

-..but still likes to sing

-with his friends.

-To win the blue ribbon would be

-a real challenge for us all.

-# O Wales, O Wales,

-you are my paradise #

-He's a giant of a man,

-in every sense of the word.

-A big voice and a big belly

-to go with it.

-He's a very nice man.

-Even with all the success he's had,

-he hasn't changed a bit.

-# When trouble sometimes

-rears its head #

-We all have our troubles,

-but he supports Liverpool.

-He's not perfect by a long way.

-# I'm lifted by images of hill

-and home #

-He thinks too much of himself,

-really.

-The top tenors are not great...

-..but when Aled comes back,

-he makes a difference to them.

-# O Wales, O Wales,

-you are my paradise #

-He's a lovely person.

-A real gentleman.

-He has his feet on the ground.

-I'm Aled Wyn Davies of Pentremawr.

-I'm a farmer

-and some sort of singer.

-# O Wales, O Wales,

-I'd give you my life #

-Come by, come by!

-Jim, come here! Jim! Come by!

-Stay there!

-The sheep are looking good.

-Yes, they're good

-for mountain sheep.

-They'll change when we go down

-to Pembrokeshire next month.

-They're not breeding rams?

-No, these will leave here

-at the end of October.

-Of course, you're from a long line

-of sheep farmers.

-We're from Aberbiga near Staylittle.

-The Clywedog reservoir.

-Then we moved down here

-in the 1950s or 60s.

-When I started with

-the Welsh Mountain sheep...

-..I bought some of these

-at the Llanidloes sale.

-Have you still got them?

-I'm still trying to make them pay.

-Well, I'm sure it'll pay off

-one day.

-You've had wonderful chances.

-You've travelled the world.

-Now you're in the choir.

-Even though you're busy

-with your own singing...

-..you enjoy the choir too,

-don't you?

-It's a lot of fun.

-I sing a lot at weekends...

-..so on Monday night it's nice

-to catch up with everyone.

-We all enjoy singing in the choir.

-Some of the boys had never sung

-until two years ago.

-They love it. They're very keen.

-After a busy weekend...

-..do you really feel like

-singing some more?

-Yes, I do. Always.

-I sing my head off on a Monday

-night, in spite of a busy weekend.

-When we won at the Eisteddfod,

-we were so thrilled to have won.

-To think that a group of friends

-can get together like this...

-..and within two years win

-at the Eisteddfod.

-Aled is very good.

-I've never heard him

-raise his voice ever.

-He knows how to manage people.

-The conductor

-is the most important person.

-Everyone listens to him

-and he does a good job.

-If he stays,

-the choir will continue.

-You spend quite a lot of time

-away from home.

-Yes, in the last two months

-I've been away every weekend.

-I'll be very busy up to Christmas

-and then it will be lambing.

-Are you going abroad?

-Yes, I'm going to Melbourne

-just before the lambing season.

-It will be a bit frantic here

-at home.

-You won't be long!

-That's what I've told them!

-The work is shared

-between you and your father.

-Yes, it's only me and Dad now.

-We have to get in more help now

-than we used to.

-We get help with fencing

-and shearing.

-I don't do as much shearing

-as I used to.

-People don't always understand

-the benefits of singing.

-It draws us home, it's true.

-It's nice to go away to sing

-for a week or ten days...

-..but you're ready to come home

-by the end.

-The uniqueness of this location

-must help you.

-Yes, it's an inspiration.

-When you're up on the top,

-you can sing your heart out...

-..and no-one will hear you.

-When you're singing,

-you wear smart clothes...

-..shiny shoes and a bow tie.

-Yet, here you are today

-covered in the familiar mud.

-It's quite a difference, isn't it?

-Yes, but I scrub up quite well

-when I have to.

-But I'm at home in the mud today.

-I wish you every success.

-You deserve it.

-Thank you very much, Dai.

-# You are my sunshine #

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-Machynlleth Male Voice choir

-were the winners of Cor Cymru...

-..and they also won at the

-National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.

-With success comes fame...

-..and requests to sing

-at all kinds of events.

-These are new experiences

-for many of the boys...

-..and nerve-racking experiences,

-at that.

-Nervous?

-Yes, I'm very nervous.

-To the point that I don't really

-want to do it. But I have to.

-I have to force myself

-to get through it.

-I always feel very nervous

-before a concert.

-When I say that, I'm serious.

-I feel nauseous.

-I always feel nervous

-before a concert...

-..and fierce before a competition.

-It's good to be a little nervous

-before a concert or a competition.

-It gives you a buzz and you put

-more energy into your singing.

-"Machynlleth Male Voice Choir".

-No, not at all.

-There's no point in being nervous.

-I'm quite confident

-that we know our stuff.

-We're good at just turning up and

-singing and putting on a good show.

-I don't usually worry

-about concerts.

-I'm looking forward to entertaining

-the people of Llanidloes...

-..and giving them

-a wonderful evening.

-# Oh Lord, our God

-# How majestic is thy name

-in all the earth #

-Well, Aled, there is a good balance

-in the choir.

-You sing two pieces unaccompanied.

-That's quite difficult.

-We try to get the pieces right.

-It doesn't always go well...

-..but we've worked hard on singing

-unaccompanied.

-We try to keep in pitch and to get

-the tone of the pieces right.

-But we get better with every concert

-and competition we do.

-# ..is your name #

-Of course, tonight's concert...

-..is to raise money

-for the Royal Welsh Show.

-Yes, there are such a lot of us

-with strong connections to the show.

-Many of us visit the show

-every year.

-It's close to the hearts

-of many choir members.

-# ..who art in heaven #

-Why did you grow the moustache?

-Was it because it's been a wet year?

-Don't ask me. Ask Huw!

-He's the one who organizes

-the moustaches.

-As we're all going down

-to Cardiff...

-..we thought we'd all sport

-moustaches just for fun.

-And it's November, so we're raising

-money for a good cause.

-# Alleluia #

-Thank you for being

-such a good organizer.

-Fair play. Well done!

-It's your job to keep them laughing.

-I wanted to conduct!

-# Alleluia #

-Aled Griffiths.

-What can I say about Aled?

-Ali G.

-He's an insurance man,

-so you have to watch him.

-He's noisier than Dafydd Post!

-He's noisier than Dafydd Post!

-

-Clown!

-He turns up late for every

-rehearsal, sneaks in at the back...

-..pushes past everyone and tells

-them they're in his way!

-Aled G works for NFU Cymru

-and some say he's a farmer.

-Yes, Ali G is quite a character.

-He became famous when he won

-the jackpot on Sion a Sian.

-Blazer.

-He and his wife understand

-each other very well...

-..and they have three children!

-Dad, Huw, Meilyr, Paul

-and Dafydd Post and everyone.

-I like to think of us as a smaller

-version of the Von Trapp family.

-# You're the only country for me,

-O Wales

-# We pass our traditions on to

-our children and grandchildren #

-Aled, you get home from work and

-the place is buzzing with workers.

-It's nice to see them doing

-something, earning their keep.

-You have three children?

-You have three children?

-

-Yes, Garmon, Morris and Marged.

-What about the YTS?

-Because I work full time...

-..Paul helps me out with the mowing.

-Paul is a tenor in the choir.

-That's very good.

-We're friends in choir

-and we try to help each other.

-We try to help each other

-in our businesses too.

-Are you a musician?

-Do you read music?

-No, I learn the music by ear.

-But I'm lucky because I have

-an accompanist at home.

-My wife can play the piano.

-She practises with me

-which helps a lot.

-No, he isn't a singer.

-He makes up the numbers.

-He shouts rather than sings.

-He always comes in too early.

-He's enthusiastic.

-Too enthusiastic sometimes.

-When the choir has finished the

-song, he's often still singing.

-Aled Griffiths often comes in

-before everyone else...

-..and comes off after everyone else.

-He has a serious side.

-But we don't see it very often.

-Having characters and individuals

-in a choir is very important.

-He's very willing to play the fool

-when we need him to.

-# What shall we do,

-what shall we do, what shall we do?

-# What shall we do,

-what shall we do, what shall we do?

-# What shall we do

-with a drunken sailor?

-# Way-hay, up she rises,

-way-hay, up she rises

-# Way-hay, up she rises

-early in the morning

-# What shall we do, what shall we do

-with a drunken sailor?

-# Way-hay, up she rises

-# Way-hay, up she rises

-# Way-hay, up she rises

-early in the morning

-# What shall we do,

-what shall we do

-# With a drunken sailor? #

-The boys come from a wide area...

-..from every part of Montgomeryshire

-and beyond.

-Although most of them are farmers...

-..32 out of 56 members

-work on the land...

-..some of the boys from the town

-have other skills.

-Four of them are builders...

-..and the most mischievous of them

-all is Dafydd Post.

-With Dafydd Post, you never know

-what's going to happen next.

-It's upside down.

-Dafydd Post is quite a character.

-He's very noisy.

-But he has a heart like a football.

-He'd do anything for anyone,

-but he's very noisy.

-Silly, hairy, likes to drink.

-Dafydd Post is a real nutter.

-But he is a very good singer.

-If he had company

-in the second tenor section...

-..it would be the best section

-in the choir.

-He doesn't realize how good he is.

-He should get more attention.

-Dafydd Post, builder.

-Okay boys, that's ideal. Good!

-Dafydd Post, how are you?

-Dai, be careful there!

-You haven't got any PP.

-I had one before I came in!

-You have to have PP here.

-Personal Protective Equipment.

-This building business is dangerous.

-It's a little tight.

-Don't worry.

-Which is your name? I saw your van

-outside with two names on it.

-My real name is Evans.

-You're a builder now.

-I'm a carpenter.

-That's what I did at college.

-I formed a partnership

-with my father's first cousin.

-You're a local lad,

-so you get plenty of work.

-Yes, it's quite a help.

-We all know each other in this area.

-On the other hand, you can't get

-away with a poor job...

-..or you won't get the work again.

-You've been in the choir

-since it started.

-Yes, I originally received

-a text from Huw Pughe.

-I get a text from Huw Pughe

-every Monday evening.

-But the first text asked if anyone

-would be interested...

-..in forming a choir to compete

-at the Meifod Eisteddfod.

-85% of people responded positively.

-We thought of it as a night out.

-I think it's brought people

-together.

-We meet every Monday evening

-for an hour and a half.

-It's good fun.

-Half of the choir can't read music.

-They look at the sheet

-and it's just lines and dots.

-But Aled gets the best

-out of everyone.

-Aled is very laid back.

-He's so cool. He never gets cross.

-When he's helping the basses,

-the tenors are chatting away.

-I believe you're a tenor.

-I'm a second tenor.

-I found that out.

-I didn't know such a thing existed.

-Yes, our old friend, Dafydd Post.

-He's a builder and a rally driver.

-He thinks he's something

-of a driver.

-I don't know. He's ended up

-in the hedge a few times.

-I've been in a car with him

-a few times.

-That was before

-he could drive properly.

-His car spends more time in the

-garage than it does on the road.

-I've never seen him rally. But I

-wouldn't get in a car with him.

-This is the most important room.

-Yes, everyone needs a man cave.

-I've had a lot of pleasure here

-building this car.

-You built it from scratch?

-More or less.

-I had a car before this one...

-..but I had some bad luck with it.

-Are you asking me to get into

-this car with you?

-Well, if you'd like to.

-You don't have to.

-If it has two handbrakes

-I'll be happy.

-It looks safe.

-Yes, it's safe.

-We have harnesses and bucket seats.

-We have a cage - that won't bend.

-It's sound.

-You have to be sensible.

-Let's go down here and turn around.

-We'll go shopping, Dai.

-I'd have to be desperate for fags.

-There are leaves on the road.

-Be careful, be careful!

-Slow down! Slow down!

-Hell!

-Ohh!

-Be careful, be careful!

-Turn back!

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-# O mighty lord,

-give thou thy hand #

-There is a big singing tradition

-in this area.

-A tradition of excellent

-choirs and soloists.

-Unlike other parts of rural Wales,

-perhaps...

-..these boys have remained

-in their home area.

-The cream have stayed and are

-contributing to the community...

-..building rich traditions

-for generations to come.

-Many choir members have sung with

-young farmers and at school.

-It's in their blood.

-# All graces

-that the church can know

-# In heav'n above or earth below

-# I claim them all as my due right

-# If I possess thy nature's might #

-We've been singing

-since we were in nappies.

-We've had some success

-with the young farmers...

-..and the choir

-is successful now too.

-It's great because it makes my job

-a lot easier.

-The quality of the voices

-that we have is very high.

-We have a couple of very talented

-individuals too.

-# I'll praise the virtue

-of thy death

-# I'll bear the cross,

-I'll breast the tide

-# If thou thyself in me abide

-# Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen

-# Amen #

-One of my heroes hailed

-from this area...

-..the best bass ever,

-Richard Rees Pennal.

-I made a Cefn Gwlad programme

-with Dic...

-..back in 1985 -

-the year of the big snow.

-# When the trumpet sounds

-# See the peoples flow

-like a river #

-You don't know the words.

-No, you got it wrong.

-# Pouring through his hands #

-# But the old language

-is in the land

-# And the old tunes still live #

-The family of my old friend Dic

-still farm...

-..and run a caravan site

-in Penmaen Dyfi.

-Dic's son, Aled,

-and his grandson, Richard...

-.. are continuing

-the singing tradition.

-They are both members of the choir

-and are strong basses.

-You get up each morning

-to this wonderful view.

-It's a privilege.

-Yes, we're very fortunate.

-You were born and bred here.

-I was born in that white house

-down there.

-I've only moved about 500 yards

-since the day I was born.

-You, Richard, joined the choir

-before your father did.

-I was there the first year.

-In the dark days!

-But things came together

-quite quickly.

-Aled whipped us into shape.

-The standard improved.

-Well, so they say!

-At least one person thinks so.

-I saw you in the front row

-at the Eisteddfod...

-..and you looked as though

-you were enjoying every second.

-You were singing your heart out.

-I loved it, Dai.

-It meant such a lot.

-I considered other choirs,

-but when I saw these youngsters...

-..I thought that

-they would suit me...

-..and they've been good enough

-to let me join them.

-Is this your first choir?

-Yes, apart from the young farmers.

-I was also part of a mixed choir

-at about the same time.

-It's something that I wasn't

-interested in for years...

-..until two or three years ago.

-But I really enjoy it now.

-I wouldn't have it any other way.

-A farmer works every day alone with

-the animals and in the mountains...

-..it must be nice to have somewhere

-where you can sing your heart out.

-You can sing as much as you like.

-You don't have to worry

-about being in tune.

-No-one else can hear you.

-We both do that occasionally.

-It starts off with a whistle

-and then we start singing.

-As Dic's son, you've heard singing

-from your cradle.

-Did you always want to be a bass?

-You may find this hard to believe,

-but I wanted to be a tenor.

-Really?

-But I'm a million miles away

-from being a tenor!

-I'm a bass.

-There are only basses in our family.

-Dic would be very proud

-of your singing.

-He'd be very proud of the choir.

-He'd be very proud that both of us

-are singing in the choir.

-But I was never under any pressure

-to sing.

-Richard has never been under

-any pressure to sing.

-We don't pressure my other son

-to sing either...

-..even though he has

-a good bass voice too.

-You enjoy it more

-if you don't feel you have to do it.

-The family element is strong

-within the choir.

-Endaf and Iestyn Meddins

-are two brothers...

-..who come down from the mountains

-to sing in the choir.

-One is sensible, the other is silly.

-You'll never see two brothers

-so unlike each other.

-Iestyn Meddins - Farmer.

-He's another clown.

-Endaf is a lot more cool.

-Endaf Meddins - potential farmer.

-They're from the Llanbrynmair

-valley.

-That's where the money comes from!

-They're fairly quiet,

-well, Endaf is quiet.

-Iestyn's a bit more cocky.

-He gets the better of me.

-I wouldn't have known

-you were brothers.

-That's what everyone says.

-He was the postman's.

-These buildings are new to me.

-Whose idea were they?

-My wife saw them originally.

-We'd been talking about

-diversifying for a while.

-The way farming is going, we can't

-depend on it for the future.

-My wife saw them

-at the Royal Welsh Show last year.

-We made enquiries and decided

-to give them a try.

-We're very lucky here.

-The Glyndwr's Way path

-is very close by.

-A lot of people walk

-and mountain bike along it.

-We hope to attract some of them.

-Of course. But has the choir

-changed your lives?

-You're farmers and at harvest

-and such times...

-..you have a lot of work to do.

-You have to think about the choir

-as an important part of your lives.

-It's good, because we don't go

-down to the town very often.

-It's nice to meet people and have

-a pint at the end of the night...

-..and travel to competitions -

-that's the fun of it.

-You could ask the choir to come

-and open this venture.

-I'm not sure I can afford them.

-Their fee is so high.

-But you're one of them!

-I'm sure they'd come if there was

-alcohol on offer.

-# You're the only country for me,

-O Wales #

-As a result of recent successes...

-..the Sain record label

-want the choir to make a record.

-The aim is for the record

-to be released next summer...

-..in time for the National

-Eisteddfod in Cardiff.

-Today is their first recording

-session.

-It takes hours and hours

-to get it right.

-There's nothing worse

-than rushing to make a CD...

-..then listening to it

-twenty years later...

-..and regretting that you didn't

-record a certain line again.

-# You're the only country for me,

-O Wales #

-Aled Myrddin has performed miracles.

-He has brought together

-a group of fairly ordinary men...

-..and now they can almost sing.

-Aled Myrddin is excellent.

-Believe it or not,

-he's the same age as me.

-He's almost got wings

-growing out of his back.

-He keeps everyone in order

-without raising his voice.

-I've never heard him

-raise his voice.

-I'm Aled Myrddin. I'm a PE teacher.

-A lot of nonsense and chatting

-goes on during rehearsals.

-But he never raises his voice.

-Never ever.

-I think he's the most laid back

-conductor I've ever had.

-He knows how to get the best

-out of people.

-He knows what he's doing.

-Perfectionist is the word I'd use

-to describe Aled Myrddin.

-When things come right, he gives

-a little smile, and that's enough.

-We're lucky to have a conductor

-like Aled Myrddin.

-We do realize how lucky we are.

-There are many choirs in Wales

-who would like to have him.

-But he's with us,

-and he's staying with us.

-# Wales

-# Wales

-# Wales, our country #

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-# Alleluia #

-Another set of brothers who sing

-in the choir are the Pughes.

-Aeron, Huw and Gwion.

-They are a well-known cultured

-farming family...

-..that is so typical

-of this remarkable area.

-It's important to remember that the

-Pughes spell their name with an 'e'.

-Three brothers with one razor

-between them.

-They're a comic trio.

-They're a caution.

-Again, a mixture of silliness

-and seriousness.

-They're nice boys.

-All three of them have good voices.

-The Pughes can sing.

-Huw, you were in the choir

-from the start.

-Yes, I was.

-The Meifod Eisteddfod

-was held in 2015...

-..and we thought Machynlleth should

-have its own male voice choir.

-It's the closest town to this area.

-Several young men thought they could

-sing, so we decided to give it a go.

-You're a bass, Huw.

-What about you, Gwion?

-I'm a baritone.

-Baritones are posh.

-Baritones are posh.

-

-I try to be.

-You work here in the great outdoors.

-You have plenty of time

-to learn your words.

-That's why so many farmers sing.

-It's because they have plenty

-of space to learn their words.

-Yes, and no-one can hear you.

-Are you a musician?

-No, but I manage to sing

-in the choir.

-Aeron Pughe is the eldest.

-He is a familiar face from TV,

-and is a farmer and craftsman.

-Hello there! How are you?

-Hello, Dai.

-The sparks are coming off you there.

-Before ten in the morning!

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Very well, thank you.

-You're a father now too.

-Yes, the grey hairs

-are coming already.

-I hope you're becoming wiser.

-That's quite another thing.

-Are you busy?

-Yes. There aren't enough hours

-in the day.

-Do you have any spare?

-You can have some of mine!

-It's fine. It's better to be busy.

-You and your brothers have managed

-to find work in your home area.

-We're very lucky.

-There's plenty of work out there

-if you have the skills.

-Precisely.

-And you have time to sing

-in the choir.

-That's important.

-It's the highlight of my week.

-The singing bug seems to have

-got hold of us all in the choir.

-We're a team, and we look

-forward to Monday nights.

-Everyone takes it seriously.

-Everyone looks forward to it

-and wants to be part of it.

-You're used to travelling

-to Cardiff...

-..but you'll be going to the match.

-Have you been to a match before?

-I've been to watch several games,

-but I've never sung.

-It will be quite an experience.

-We'll be able to say, "I was there!"

-Of course, the old men

-of Montgomeryshire...

-..have a peculiar way of pronouncing

-the word "sing" as "cianu".

-It's a strange sound.

-Yes, the boys can sing...

-..and after all the anticipation,

-the big day dawned...

-..when they would sing for Wales.

-It's the day of their trip

-to Cardiff...

-..to sing at the biggest rugby game

-of them all...

-..when Wales take on the rugby

-giants, New Zealand.

-I'm the only one that's not going.

-It's a shame that I won't be there.

-I'm sure they'll have fun.

-I hope they behave

-so they'll be invited back.

-Are you driving?

-Are you driving?

-

-No.

-We need to go over the sheet

-I've given you.

-Because this is what we sing when

-the players get off the bus.

-# I am coming, Lord #

-I've been really looking forward

-to this.

-There will be such a crowd there,

-no-one will see us on the field.

-# ..cleanse me, in the blood #

-By now, the choir's moustaches

-are good and thick.

-But, there's a problem,

-Paul the gardener has a beard.

-But, despite his protests,

-the whole bus has contributed...

-..so that he can be shaved

-by Dafydd Post.

-Who else would be carrying an

-electric razor to a rugby match?

-There are you, Paul.

-# For a pure and honest heart #

-We've been looking forward...

-..to this experience of singing

-in the stadium for months now.

-It's the only time most of us

-will set foot on the pitch.

-Good quality too!

-That was a bargain.

-I'll have lost it

-by the end of the night anyway.

-In the bowels of the stadium,

-the choir rehearse...

-..led by Musical Director for the

-Welsh Rugby Union, Dr Haydn James.

-# Gwlad beirdd a chantorion,

-enwogion o fri #

-The sound is superb.

-It's a blend of mature voices

-with young, fresh voices.

-Eisteddfod winning choirs.

-It's a very special sound today.

-# Tros ryddid gollasant... #

-It's a good sound, but I'm worried

-we may have peaked too soon.

-The acoustics here are awesome.

-# ...gwlad #

-It's quite thrilling.

-It's a good sound in here.

-If it's as good on the field,

-it will be worthwhile.

-I'm not nervous. I'm excited now.

-This is serious now.

-The boys have chosen to sing

-and greet the teams...

-..as they come into

-the changing rooms.

-I'm really looking forward to it.

-The All Blacks are the best team

-in the world.

-Welcome to Wales,

-New Zealand All Blacks...

-..and Calon Lan is blaring.

-# The pure heart alone can render

-# Songs of joy both day and night #

-They're hoping to frighten the Kiwis

-and inspire the Welsh.

-# The pure heart alone can render

-# Songs of joy both day and night

-# Oh, pure heart

-so true and tender #

-Then, on to the boiling saucepan as

-they step on to the holy ground...

-..of the best rugby pitch

-in the world.

-Okay, Iest?

-Okay, Iest?

-

-Not bad.

-You'll be alright, Basil Fawlty!

-# ..both day and night #

-I've watched one or two games

-in the stadium...

-..but going on the pitch

-is a different matter.

-I went on the pitch

-when the stadium was empty.

-But I've never been on the pitch

-when the stadium's been full.

-With the roof closed

-and the lid on the saucepan...

-..the sound is deafening...

-..as the national anthem is sung.

-# Gwlad, gwlad

-# Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad

-# Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau

-# O bydded i'r heniaith...#

-After singing beautifully

-for their country...

-..and the crowd of 75,000...

-..heard every word

-as clear as a bell...

-..they retreat to the terraces

-to enjoy and to sing some more.

-# ..hymns and arias

-# Land of my fathers

-# Ar hyd y nos #

-But, despite one of two seconds

-of excitement during the game...

-..it was the same old story and the

-All Blacks beat Wales once again.

-In spite of the disappointment, it

-was a day to remember for the boys.

-And it will be a good night too,

-if Dafydd Post gets his way.

-I think we sang better

-than they played.

-No, fair play, they played well.

-But they didn't play well enough.

-No, they didn't play well.

-We sang better than they did,

-but they didn't sing, did they?

-After the fun of the Cardiff trip,

-it was back to Machynlleth...

-..and an informal invitation

-to sing...

-..at the switching on

-of the town's Christmas lights...

-..in the shadow of the famous clock.

-And that marks the end

-of a memorable year.

-Well, Aled, I've had a lovely time

-with the choir.

-How's it looking?

-Will the choir be touring Wales?

-We take everything as it comes.

-We've had lots of different

-opportunities.

-We hope to have more different

-experiences next year.

-We're looking forward to singing

-at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

-We're also looking forward

-to our trip to Canada.

-That's what we're working

-towards now.

-It's lovely to see a young choir

-like this doing so well.

-Congratulations. It's been lovely

-to meet you. Happy New Year!

-Yes, it's wonderful to see

-a group of young men...

-..proper country boys who get

-so much pleasure from singing.

-It's been a real pleasure for me

-to spend time with them...

-..and listen to their lovely sound.

-It's a sound to warm the cockles

-of your heart...

-..and some parts

-I will remember forever!

-It's only this week I've started

-to walk normally again.

-Thank goodness it hasn't snowed.

-I've brought the car

-to take you home!

-I'm parked in the White Lion

-car park.

-We can have a whisky then go home.

-I think I'd rather walk!

-Is there whisky?

-Is there whisky?

-

-Of course.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.