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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- I'm Cerys Matthews.
0:00:02 > 0:00:05- I've been collecting music - all my life.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- Music covers the spectrum - of human experience.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- It reveals secrets - and opens amazing doors...
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- ..when we travel back to its roots.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- # There stands the magnificent oak
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- # Tw rymdi-ro rymdi radl-idl-al
0:00:24 > 0:00:29- # I shall shelter in its shadow
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- # Until my sweetheart - comes to meet me
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- # Fal-di radl-idl-al
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- # Fal-di radl-idl-al
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- # Tw rymdi-ro rymdi radl-idl-al #
0:00:43 > 0:00:49- # Oh, pure heart so true and tender
0:00:49 > 0:00:55- # Fairer than the lilies white #
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- I've never heard that song before - but I absolutely love it.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- Only Boys Aloud with their unique - arrangement of Calon Lan...
0:01:04 > 0:01:10- ..made an impression on Simon Cowell - on Britain's Got Talent in 2012.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- The hymn was composed - over 100 years ago.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- Its popularity is ever increasing.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- It always finds its way - to new audiences.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20- There's no wonder.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26- It's equally at home in chapel, - in the pub and on the sports field.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- What is it about this hymn - that makes it so special?
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- Its appeal probably comes from - the jovial nature of the melody.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- It is sung in different places, - including on the rugby pitch.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- But it may also be that - the lyrics appeal to people...
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- ..because they are quite simple.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53- The desire described - is quite a valid one.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- The desire for a pure heart.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- There is something sincere about - the words which cannot be denied.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- They are not overly complex - or very deep.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- They may be more appealing to - a wider audience because of that.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- People can relate to the words - quite easily...
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- ..without having to address - any big theological questions.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- There is quite an interesting story - about the background of Calon Lan.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- It is not clear whether Daniel James - intended it to be a hymn...
0:02:26 > 0:02:27- ..when he wrote it.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- He was brought up in Llangyfelach - Road, Treboeth, near Swansea.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- He worked at Glandwr tin works.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- He had a keen interest in poetry - from a young age...
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- ..inspired by attending - Mynyddbach chapel with his parents.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45- He was well versed - in the bardic tradition.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- His first teacher - was Dafydd Morganwg.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54- Originally, Daniel James adopted the - bardic name, Dafydd Mynyddbach...
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- ..because of the area - and the chapel.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- But Dafydd Morganwg advised him - to change it to Gwyrosydd.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- And that's how we remember him.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13- Gwyrosydd was quite a character - and rather enjoyed a pint.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18- Legend has it that he would write - poems for special occasions...
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- ..and would be given a drink - as a reward.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- His local was The King's Head - in Treboeth.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- His chair from the pub - now lives in Mynyddbach chapel.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- But in order to trace the roots of - Calon Lan we must move to Blaengarw.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- It's about thirty miles away. He - moved here with his family for work.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- It's believed that he wrote - the words to Calon Lan...
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- ..on the back of a cigarette packet - in this Blaengarw hotel.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- Gwyrosydd is an interesting example - of a country poet...
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- ..who had moved to - an industrial area.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- Many poets would write verses - for general interest magazines...
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- ...published for eisteddfod meetings - and so on.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- That's the background - of the Calon Lan verses.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- That's the literary context.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- T Bedford Richards was the first - to compose a melody for the lyrics.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20- It was a solo at the time. - But the song didn't catch on.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- Our thanks must go to John Hughes...
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- ..who worked at the Dyffryn - Steelworks in Morriston.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- He led the singing - at Philadelphia Chapel, Hafod...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- ..and was responsible - for composing the new melody.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- The lyrics and the melody were - first performed in this chapel...
0:04:39 > 0:04:40- ..in 1891.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- It was the beginning of the journey - for Calon Lan.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- The hymn quickly became - very popular.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- It was published in many booklets - and sung in cymanfa festivals...
0:04:51 > 0:04:52- ..all over the world.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- I have the programme for the Cymanfa - Ganu Undebol Cymru in Chicago.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- There are English lyrics - by a Rees Harris from Ohio.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- At the beginning - of the 20th century...
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- ..it also became a firm favourite...
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- ..for the last religious revival - here in Wales.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- From the mid 18th century - to the mid 19th century...
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- ..Wales was known - as the land of revivals.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- They affected folk music. - Public houses were closed.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- Rugby matches were postponed.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- People turned to the chapels - and hymns for inspiration.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- One prominent person in the - last revival was Evan Roberts.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- At the age of 26 years old, - he had a religious conversion.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- Thousands came to prayer meetings - in his chapel in Loughor.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Evan Roberts - was a very charismatic figure.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58- He held very large meetings.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- There was a lot of singing.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- The revival of 1904-05 - was the singing revival.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- During the revival, - and in the following years...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- ..many songs and hymns - of the revival...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- ..were published in booklets.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17- Calon Lan was quite a new hymn - and it became very popular.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- I think that was - because of the refrain.
0:06:21 > 0:06:27- During the revival, anything - that had a refrain...
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- ..that could be sung repeatedly...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- ..became very popular.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- Calon Lan became one of the - great hymns of the revival...
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- ..long before it was published - in any official hymn collections.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Today, we also hear the words - sung to other melodies.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- The meter has something to do - with it. It's a popular meter.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- Many hymn tunes fit the words.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- If we think about the traditional - one, Calon Lan by John Hughes...
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- # CALON LAN #
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- Then we have Blaenwern, of course.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- # BLAENWERN #
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- I've also heard it sung - to the Gendarmes' duet many times.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19- # GENDARMES' DUET - from GENEVIEVE DE BRABANT #
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- It can also be sung to Converse - - What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- # CONVERSE #
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- All of these fit the words, - as do many other tunes.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Very interesting. But let's return - to John Hughes' melody.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- In Patagonia, the notes of the tune - are on the five memorials...
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- ..commissioned to commemorate - the settlement's 150th anniversary.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- The two countries - came together recently...
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..for a duet-singing world record.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- Shan Cothi sang in Cardiff - while Andres Evans sang in Gaiman.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- They've successfully set - a new Guinness World Record.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- In Mynyddbach chapel, or The Calon - Lan Centre as it's known today...
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- ..Reverend Grenville Fisher - works hard...
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- ..to keep the history of the hymn - and the chapel alive...
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- ..for future generations.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- It was very important to retain - the history and the heritage.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- We formed the Calon Lan charity.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- The Mynyddbach chapel and The Calon - Lan Centre is not a museum.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- It's an active organization...
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- ..that's reaching out - in all kinds of ways.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- We've got a new project starting off - working with asylum seekers.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- We have a list of volunteers - who are involved in the project.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Indeed, the buildings themselves - have been restored...
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- ..mostly by volunteer labour.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- We get two types of visitors.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- Those who come because of - the history of Mynyddbach...
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- ..and have got family connections.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- But also, we get - quite a lot of visitors...
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- ..because it is - the home of Calon Lan.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- Treboeth certainly became - too small for Calon Lan.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Daniel James may not have intended - it to be a hymn when it was written.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- But we must be thankful to him...
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- ..and to John Hughes - for composing the melody.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- They made it an unofficial anthem - for the Welsh people.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- I like to perform Calon Lan with - the Blaenwern melody at the end.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- It's a pleasure to return to - the vestry in the Tabernacle...
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- ..where I first heard the hymn.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- I am joined by Osian Rowlands' - C.O.R.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- # I ask not for ease and riches
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- # Nor earth's jewels for my part
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- # But I have the best of wishes
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- # For a pure and honest heart
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- # Oh, pure heart so true and tender
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- # The pure heart alone can render
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- # Songs of joy both day and night
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- # Should I cherish earthly treasure
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- # It would fly on speedy wings
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- # The pure heart a plenteous measure
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- # Of true pleasure daily brings
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- # Oh, pure heart so true and tender
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- # The pure heart alone can render
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- # Songs of joy both day and night
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- # Eve and morn my prayers ascending
0:11:21 > 0:11:26- # To God's heaven on wings of song
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- # Seek the joy that knows no ending
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- # The pure heart - that knows no wrong
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- # Oh, pure heart so true and tender
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- # The pure heart alone can render
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- # Songs of joy both day and night
0:11:59 > 0:12:04- # Oh, pure heart so true and tender
0:12:05 > 0:12:11- # Fairer than the lilies white
0:12:11 > 0:12:20- # The pure heart alone can render
0:12:21 > 0:12:35- # Songs of joy both day and night #
0:12:37 > 0:12:38- .
0:12:40 > 0:12:40- Subtitles
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- Birds are a very popular theme - in our folk songs.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- The most well-known include - Y Gwcw Fach, Marwnad yr Ehedydd...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- ..and this one, Ei Di'r Deryn Du?
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- It's a magical song which creates - the striking image...
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- ..of a girl asking a blackbird - to deliver a message to her lover.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Over the centuries, the bird - has played an important role...
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- ..in our literature.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- It's considered a symbol of freedom.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- In some cultures, - it represents an other-worldliness.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- It is a symbol of the connection - between heaven and earth.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- The eagle is representative - of strength or war.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- The magpie is linked - with superstition.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- In Scandinavian mythology, - the raven is considered wise.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- There's no doubt that birds - are important to us as Welsh people.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- They symbolise - many different things.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58- Love, death, the spiritual.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- The bird symbolises - sadness and heartbreak...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- ..in so many of our folk songs.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- But in Ei Di'r Deryn Du...
0:14:09 > 0:14:15- ..the blackbird is a symbol - of positive love and hope.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- It represents a new start.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- I think that's one of the reasons - why I like the song so much.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- In Welsh literature, the bird - is often used as a messenger.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- In the tale of Branwen - in the Mabinogion, for example...
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- ..she uses the starling - to send a message from Ireland...
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- ..to ask King Bendigeidfran - to save her.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- The meaning of the word llatai, - quite simply, is a love messenger.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- A message sent - from one lover to another...
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- ..in the hope of receiving - a positive answer...
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- ..to the request, maybe to meet her.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- The messenger could be anything...
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- ..although often, birds are used.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- The Welsh tradition - of a love messenger is unique.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- It has Celtic roots so the word - llatai is Welsh through and through.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- There is no English equivalent.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- You have to use two words in English - - love messenger.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- It's a very Welsh concept and tool.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Back in the 12th century, - Dafydd ap Gwilym...
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- ..was the pioneer - of the love messenger in literature.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- Dafydd ap Gwilym - took the idea of a love messenger...
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- ..and raised the bar - in terms of its use...
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- ..by composing fantastic poetry - featuring a love messenger.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- He used all kinds of things as - messengers, for example a seagull.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- He used the seagull as a messenger - in a brilliant cywydd.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- He describes the gull - in a very inventive way...
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- ..and compares the bird - to the foam of the sea.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19- He sends the gull to the castle - to ask his lover if she loves him.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- He hopes, of course, - that the answer will be positive.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- Here is part of the cywydd.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- "Ah gull on the tide, - a beauty; surely
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- "Of the hue of snow - or the white moon
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- "Of fairness unblemished
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- "A patch like the sun, - a sea gauntlet"
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- Possibly one of Dafydd ap Gwilym's - most revered poems...
0:16:46 > 0:16:51- ..and certainly one of his most - revered love messenger poems...
0:16:51 > 0:16:52- ..is Y Gwynt (The Wind).
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- He sends the wind, which - no-one can see or touch...
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- ..and he describes the wind - in a very inventive way.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- He sends the wind - as a messenger to his lover.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- He asks - if she will come to meet him.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- It's a brilliant cywydd.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- What are the roots - of Ei Di'r Deryn Du?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Like many of our folk songs, - it travelled across Wales.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- It features in the Journal of the - Welsh Folk-Song Society in 1941.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- Sylvanus Jones from Llanllyfni - near Caernarfon heard it...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- ..while working in Carmarthenshire.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- But there's more to this melody - than just a love messenger song.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- I wonder what this dumpling - has to do with Ei Di'r Deryn Du?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- It is a macaronic song...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- ..a tradition that has its roots - in 15th century Padua, Italy.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- The meaning of macaroni - is a type of pasta or dumpling...
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- ..a mixture of flour, - cheese and butter.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- The idea of mixing ingredients...
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- ..is transferred to - mixing languages in poetry.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- Originally, - people would speak Italian...
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- ..but Latin was the language - of education at the time.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- For a bit of fun really...
0:18:12 > 0:18:17- ..people would add Latin endings - to Italian words.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- It was just for fun.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Over time, macaronic - became a term...
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- ..to describe - any type of mixing language.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- Not just adding endings but mixing - languages within one verse or song.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- There are several examples - of this in Welsh.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Ei Di'r Deryn Du - is a prominent example.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Often, in macaronic songs...
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- ..you will find the odd English word - within a Welsh song.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- But in this one, - it is every other line.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- It's not a translation of the Welsh.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06- The drama within the poem - develops with every line.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- The young man describes the lady...
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- ..and her golden locks of hair...
0:19:17 > 0:19:22- ..and uses the same ideas as are - found in many love messenger songs.
0:19:22 > 0:19:29- But the simplicity of the words - is what makes it so special.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- Balladeers would love - singing these songs.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- They had fun moving from Welsh - to English and back again.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- In Wales, mixing languages - would happen...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- ..in nearby Welsh-speaking - and non-Welsh speaking communities.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- This happened during the Industrial - Revolution when people migrated.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54- There are examples of poems - which mix languages purposefully.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- This was done both for comedy - and for satire.
0:20:00 > 0:20:07- The most obvious example for me is a - ballad by Abel Jones, Bardd Crwst...
0:20:08 > 0:20:09- ..one of the last balladeers.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- He has a poem - called Plant Dic Sion Dafydd.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- The ballad talks about a man - who goes to various places...
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- ..and then reaches a pub.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- He meets a tailor there - who pretends he can't speak Welsh.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- He can't speak English properly - either.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- So the end result is pigeon verses, - like this.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- "I see great rhyfeddod - in London one day
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- "A something like lion - was running away
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- "The people was frightened - and I was run fath
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- "The same as llygoden - afraid of a cath"
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- Another song I often sing - which mixes the two languages...
0:20:49 > 0:20:50- ..is Can Merthyr.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- It's both funny and tragic.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- It describes a man - whose wife gives him a hard time.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Here's a snippet.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- "My wife did send me waered
0:21:02 > 0:21:03- "Down the river deufad
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- "I did tell her I wouldn't go
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- "She knocked me with a lletwad"
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- Ei Di'r Deryn Du is a different type - of macaronic song.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- I'm going to perform my version, - with Mason Neely on the piano.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- # Will you go, blackbird
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- # To my dearest love?
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- # O quest for my dear lass
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- # For I'm so deep in love
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- # I cannot see anywhere
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- # Such a damsel in my sight
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- # As the girl fair of colour
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- # She is a beauty bright
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- # Oh, oh
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- # Oh
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- # Aah
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- # Oh
0:22:35 > 0:22:41- # Her hair is golden yellow
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- # Just like a ring of gold
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- # And her countenance - like white snow
0:22:53 > 0:22:59- # The truth it must be told
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- # Aah, aah
0:23:06 > 0:23:12- # Aah #
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37- .