0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *
0:00:00 > 0:00:00- *- - *
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 > 0:00:48- # Ev'ry star in heaven is singing
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- # All through the night #
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- The magical Ar Hyd y Nos.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- I remember learning to play it on - the piano when I was about 7 or 8.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- It would send my teacher to sleep - - until I played the wrong note!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- It's a unique song which can be - considered a folk song, a carol...
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- ..or a lullaby.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- There are so many versions.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- Personally, I like Ryan's rendition - - with the harp as accompaniment.
0:01:17 > 0:01:23- # Songs of sweet ethereal lightness
0:01:24 > 0:01:32- # Wrought in realms - of peace and whiteness #
0:01:34 > 0:01:39- Like many of our best melodies, this - one too has travelled the world.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- It has been translated - into many languages.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- There is an English recording - by the American, Paul Robeson.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- # All through the night #
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- Maybe he heard the melody while - performing in London's West End.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- As it happens, it was at - the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane...
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- ..that the song became well known - about 200 years ago.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- It was an exciting time in the world - of entertainment in London.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- There were several theatres, - popular stars...
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- ..and composers - who produced new operas.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- One of these maestros - was Charles Dibdin.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- He composed over 600 songs.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- One of his most famous songs - is the sea song, Tom Bowling.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- It is often performed at the - Last Night of the Proms in London.
0:02:31 > 0:02:38- # Here a sheer hulk - lies poor Tom Bowling
0:02:38 > 0:02:45- # The darling of our crew #
0:02:45 > 0:02:50- Ar Hyd y Nos featured - in his comic opera, Liberty-Hall...
0:02:50 > 0:02:54- ..which was performed for the - first time in Drury Lane in 1785.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- There would be characters in operas - and if they were Welsh...
0:02:58 > 0:03:00- ..something was needed - to prove that fact.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- A melody - which obviously came from Wales...
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- ..would help to personalize - the character.
0:03:14 > 0:03:21- In Liberty-Hall, the character - sings the lyrics in English.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26- But in the refrain, - he sings "Oh he de nos".
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- It is verging on mocking the Welsh.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- I think the character - is a comic one.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41- It shows that the melody - and the name Ar Hyd y Nos...
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- ..were familiar enough - to be used in that context.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- They were used to represent - someone who was Welsh.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- How would Charles Dibdin - have come across the melody...
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- ..in the first place?
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- The answer lies with - the King's poet, Edward Jones.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- He had moved from Llandderfel - to work in London.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- This was a period of great change - in Britain.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- Just before the Industrial - Revolution, the population grew.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- Many people, including the Welsh...
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- ..moved to cities - in search of opportunities.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- Edward Jones was one of these.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- While in London, his life revolved - around highly cultured people.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- He is likely to have come across - Charles Dibdin.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- He was one of three - famous harpists...
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- ..who worked in London - at this time.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- John Parry, - known as Blind Parry of Ruabon...
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- ..Edward Jones, who was harpist - to the Royal Family...
0:04:46 > 0:04:47- ..and John Parry, Bardd Alaw.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- The latter was Musical Director - at Vauxhall Gardens in London.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58- These three harpists had published - many very important volumes...
0:04:59 > 0:05:05- ..which showed the world - that Wales was a musical nation.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- I think that Edward Jones - was at the centre of it all.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- He was also the focal point...
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- ..for a network of musicians - across Europe.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22- We have a copy here of - Musical and Poetical Relicks.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- This is where Ar Hyd y Nos - first appeared.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Edward Jones - not only published the music...
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- ..along with variations for the harp - - his own instrument...
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- ..but he also published lyrics.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46- At the time, printing was - quite an expensive process.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- The music had to be engraved - on plates.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51- Patronage was required...
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- ..and the collections were published - in London.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- These were not collections - for ordinary folk back in Wales.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- These collections - circulated amongst people...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- ..who had the means to buy them.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- These were used in concerts, - often for Welsh people...
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- ..and noson lawen - entertainment evenings.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Music was noted and recorded - in this method.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- At the time, - London was full of Welsh people...
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- ..who supported - our Welsh traditions.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- Many societies were set up - to take care of our heritage.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Welsh Societies of London
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- The Welsh in London had three aims - by the mid 18th century.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- One of these was charity.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- They wanted to help Welsh families - who had fallen into poverty.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- For example, - where the father had died...
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- ..and left behind several children.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- Secondly, they wanted - to make collections...
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- ..in order to publish Welsh books.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- The most intelligent amongst them...
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- ..also wanted lectures - on Welsh topics...
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- ..in particular - Welsh poetry and literature.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- Y Cymmrodorion society - was established in 1751.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- It was a society - which held monthly meetings...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- ..in different public houses - in London.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- They discussed - the culture and history of Wales.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- After 20 years, - another society was set up.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- It was some sort of splinter group.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- It was called Y Gwyneddigion.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- The members wanted it to be - less formal and more popular.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- Y Gwyneddigion believed it was - possible to have Welsh culture...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- ..based on entertainment.
0:07:42 > 0:07:48- They tried to recreate - the spirit of farmhouse kitchens...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- ..in Snowdonia and Meirionnydd.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- People would gather - around the fire...
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- ..to sing penillion with the harp.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- Y Gwyneddigion, - like Y Cymmrodorion...
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- ..felt it was important to have - fun while celebrating being Welsh.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Edward Jones joined the society - in 1783.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16- The following year, he published - his all-important collection...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- ..Musical and Poetical Relicks - of the Welsh Bards.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- The work of Edward Jones and - his friends in Y Gwyneddigion...
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- ..proved to Britain and the world - for the first time...
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- ..that Wales was a nation of song.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- Charles Dibdin socialized with - very cultured people in London...
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- ..at the time.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- He came across the melody - in Edward Jones' collection.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- After appearing in the opera...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- ..it developed as an elegy song - called Poor Mary Anne.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- The lyrics were written by poet - and novelist, Emilia Opie.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- "Here beneath this willow sleepeth
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- "Poor Mary Anne
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- "One whom all the village weepeth
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- "Poor Mary Anne"
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- The tune became famous outside Wales - as a result.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- In the Songs of Wales collection, - put together by Brinley Richards...
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- ..the Welsh lyrics made - their first appearance, in 1873.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- They were written by one of Wales' - most well-known poets...
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- ..John Ceiriog Hughes - from Denbighshire.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- Accompanying me on the piano to sing - a special arrangement of the song...
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- ..is Mason Neely.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- # Ev'ry star in heaven is singing
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- # All through the night
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- # Hear the glorious music ringing
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- # All through the night
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- # Songs of sweet ethereal lightness
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- # Wrought in realms - of peace and whiteness
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- # See, the dark gives way - to brightness
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- # All through the night
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- # Look, my love, - the stars are smiling
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- # All through the night
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- # Lighting, soothing and beguiling
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- # Earth's sombre plight
0:10:58 > 0:11:03- # So, when age brings - grief and sorrow
0:11:04 > 0:11:10- # From each other we can borrow
0:11:12 > 0:11:18- # Faith in our sublime tomorrow
0:11:20 > 0:11:28- # All through the night #
0:11:29 > 0:11:29- .
0:11:35 > 0:11:35- Subtitles
0:11:35 > 0:11:36- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:36 > 0:11:42- # Amazing Grace
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- # How sweet the sound #
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Former President Obama got - the audience to raise the roof...
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- ..by singing Amazing Grace - together...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- ..at the funeral - of pastor Clementa Pinckney.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- The hymn has been a firm favourite - for American leaders...
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- ..and was sung at the funerals - of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan...
0:12:09 > 0:12:10- ..to name but two.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- It's well known - all over the world...
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- ..and over 3,000 versions - have been recorded...
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- ..including our own version - in Welsh, Pererin Wyf.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- Iris Williams' version of Amazing - Grace dates back to the 1970s.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- But the history of the original song - goes back considerably further.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- It's easy to think that - Amazing Grace is an American hymn.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- But the origins of the English - lyrics are a bit closer to home.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- The first verse was written by - John Newton from England...
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- ..in the 18th century.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- He went to sea at a young age...
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- ..and became the captain - of a slave ship...
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- ..after working in the navy - for a while.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00- He was considered to be a nasty man - and was very strict and immoral.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- It was a ghastly trade...
0:13:03 > 0:13:08- ..when you consider - the suffering that took place.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- He was also kept as a slave - for a while...
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- ..by a black princess in Africa.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- He had witnessed - both sides of the trade.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- In 1748, during a storm - near the coast of Donegal...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- ..he experienced - a religious conversion.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- He pleaded with God to save him.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- John Newton survived the storm - and everything changed.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- His seafaring days ended...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- ..and he became a cleric in Olney, - Buckinghamshire.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- During his time there...
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- ..he published a collection of hymns - called Olney Hymns.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- One of the hymns he wrote - was Amazing Grace.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- It was about the experience - of becoming a Christian.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- Apparently he wrote this hymn - to be sung at a prayer meeting...
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- ..at the beginning of the new year - in 1772.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- The hymn did not become popular - in Britain straight away.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- But interestingly, it was included - in hymn books in America.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- The beginning of the 19th century...
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- ..was the time - of the Second Great Awakening.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- It became very well known as a - gospel song in southern counties...
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- ..amongst black people and slaves.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- It's ironic that John Newton, - the merciless master...
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- ..wrote a hymn that went on - to become a firm favourite...
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- ..and give comfort - and spiritual strength...
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- ..to the people he used to abuse.
0:14:40 > 0:14:47- The lyrics carry a message - of forgiveness and salvation.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- "That saved a wretch like me
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- "I once was lost but now am found
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- "Was blind but now I see"
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- The hymn quickly became part - of the Afro-American repertoire.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- By then, musician William Walker - from South Carolina...
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- ..had amalgamated two traditional - melodies - Gallaher and St Mary...
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- ..to form New Britain.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- This is the tune we associate - with the lyrics.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- # Thank God I'm found #
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- In the 1960s, it became - a protest song...
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- ..at civil rights marches - in America.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38- Campaigner and queen of gospel - singing, Mahalia Jackson...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- ..would sing it regularly.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- # But now
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- # I, oh #
0:15:52 > 0:15:57- # Through many days #
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- The hymn was successful in Britain - during the same period.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- The song was in the charts - for 67 weeks.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- The artist - was American Judy Collins.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- RECORDING OF WELSH VERSION, - PERERIN WYF
0:16:21 > 0:16:22- Pererin Wyf was responsible...
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- ..for bringing Iris Williams - to the attention of the nation.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- Her recording went to No.1 - in the Welsh charts.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- This may never have happened...
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- ..without Disc a Dawn producer - Ruth Price.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- She came up with the idea - of asking Iris to perform the song.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41- This is what happened.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- We had a group of girls from - the Rhondda who sang beautifully.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- They were called Y Canolwyr - at first.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- They wanted to sing Amazing Grace.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- They weren't allowed to sing - Amazing Grace.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- That was reserved for Iris Williams.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- So we decided they would sing - with Iris Williams.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- We then needed Welsh lyrics.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- Ruth Price approached me - and told me about Iris Williams...
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- ..who was a new voice - and a new face.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- She needed Welsh lyrics for Amazing - Grace and could I translate them?
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- He tried for a day or so and - then he told me that he'd failed.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- Or at least - the words didn't come to him easily.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- She asked if I'd done the lyrics. - I told her I'd only done a little.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- So I told him not to worry - and that I'd sort something out.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38- I phoned him the following day...
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- ..and told him - I'd found someone to translate it.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- So I asked who it was.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- So I asked who it was.- - Mr William Williams, Pantycelyn!
0:17:47 > 0:17:56- # Wedi gorchfygu a mynd drwy
0:17:57 > 0:18:06- # Dymhestloedd dwr a than #
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- It is 300 years since the birth - of our greatest hymn writer.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- As a young man, - he intended to be a doctor.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- But after hearing Howel Harris - preaching, he was born again...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- ..and he joined the Methodists.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- He was one of the main leaders - of the revival in the 18th century.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- He wrote nearly 1,000 hymns.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- He started writing poetry...
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- ..quite soon after experiencing - this religious conversion.
0:18:36 > 0:18:43- In his hymns, he tried to define - the feelings and credo...
0:18:43 > 0:18:49- ..of thousands of Methodists - and their state of mind.
0:18:51 > 0:18:58- He uses the same image as the one - in Pererin Wyf in many of his hymns.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04- He sees the people of earth going on - pilgrimages throughout their lives.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- In the end, they go to heaven.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- In fact, he is borrowing - an image or a metaphor...
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- ..from the first books - of the Old Testament.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- Many people remember the story - of Moses leading the Jews.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- According to the story, Moses - was in the desert for 40 years.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- They walked through the desert.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- Sometimes, when they don't know - where they are going...
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- ..a column of fog shows them - the way during the day...
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- ..and a column of fire at night.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41- These same images - are used in Pererin Wyf.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- It's become a metaphor - of earthly Christian life.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- He tries to reach heaven.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- From Egypt to Canaan, - from this earth to heaven.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- One image, - which is psychologically important.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- William Williams' message - in Pererin Wyf...
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- ..and John Newton's message - in Amazing Grace...
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- ..were equally as powerful.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- They both lived in the same era and - they both fought against slavery.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- They left their mark - on generations to come.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- It is a spiritual anthem which has - united different cultures...
0:20:19 > 0:20:20- ..from across the world.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- It's my turn now, to sing - a bluegrassy version...
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- ..with Mason Neely.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37- # Amazing grace! - How sweet the sound
0:20:38 > 0:20:43- # That saved a wretch like me
0:20:44 > 0:20:50- # I once was lost, but now am found
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- # Was blind, but now I see
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- # 'Twas grace - that taught my heart to fear
0:21:03 > 0:21:09- # And grace my fears relieved
0:21:10 > 0:21:16- # How precious did that grace appear
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- # The hour I first believed
0:21:48 > 0:21:54- # The Lord hath promised good to me
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- # His word my hope secures
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- # He will my shield and portion be
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- # As long as life endures
0:22:13 > 0:22:19- # Yea, when this flesh and heart - shall fail
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- # And mortal life shall cease
0:22:26 > 0:22:32- # I shall possess within the veil
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- # A life of joy and peace
0:22:39 > 0:22:45- # When we've been there - ten thousand years
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- # Bright shining as the sun
0:22:52 > 0:22:58- # We've no less days - to sing God's praise
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- # Than when we first begun
0:23:05 > 0:23:12- # We've no less days - to sing God's praise
0:23:13 > 0:23:22- # Than when we first begun #
0:23:41 > 0:23:43- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.