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0:00:32 > 0:00:35- "Arise, you oppressed of the earth
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- "The starving throng is rising
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- "The truth of the new life comes
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- "To vanquish the mist of ages past."
0:00:53 > 0:00:58- As a socialist, I hold a belief - about the country's resources.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- The land and the factories - should be for its people.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- All should be - at the nation's service.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- The poet Thomas Evan Nicholas - only lived here for ten years.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- He had come to the Swansea Valley - to be a minister in Glais.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27- Even so, he is still referred to - as Niclas y Glais.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- He had been a minister - in Llandeilo for a year or so.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36- After that, he moved - to the USA for two years.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- Then, one day, at Crymych fair...
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- ..his father happened to meet - a deacon from Seion chapel, Glais.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48- There, a plan was hatched - to secure his return to Wales.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57- The world is greater than Wales
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- The 1904 Revival - had reached its zenith.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10- Religious fervour - was transforming individuals.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- But Niclas y Glais - wanted to change the system.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- He opposed the unfairness - of the capitalist system.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- Let there be Capital! - And there was blood and tears
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- And steel bombs fell - on town and country
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- When we recite the Lord's Prayer, - we say "thy Kingdom come".
0:02:35 > 0:02:40- We pray not for a church's success, - a small branch here and there.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- We pray - for the advent of the Kingdom.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- All land, riches, money, - education, health and everything...
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- ..ought to be at the service - of the Christian ideal.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- His parents - were Dafydd and Bet Nicholas...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- ..of Pentregalar in Pembrokeshire.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- He recalls the owner - calling at their home, Y Llety...
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- ..to collect the rent.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18- It wasn't as much this that aroused - his anti-establishment hostility...
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- ..as much as his experience - at Hermon school.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- The education authorities - were so disparaging...
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- ..towards the pupils - and the language.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- He explains his feelings.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- "That is why - I have hated the whole system...
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- "..so passionately all my life."
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- Nicholas had in him something - of his mother and his father.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- His father - was a gentle, thoughtful man.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- TE Nicholas's mother, Bet...
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- ..was a stronger personality, - and braver.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- There was a combination - of the gentle and the strong.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- Before the ministry, - his first job, at the age of 13...
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- ..was as a messenger - at the Swan Inn, Eglwys Wen.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- He recalls travelling by cart...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- ..from the inn up to Crymych.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- He would recite an ode by Islwyn, - Y Nefoedd, on the way there.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28- He would recite Eben Fardd's ode - Dinystr Jerusalem on the way back.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- The innkeeper complained - that he took too long.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- However, in a short time, - he knew both odes off by heart.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- He much preferred the poetic system - to the political system.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- The sunbeams came to me - over the Frenni
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- Even though - he had memorized these odes...
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- ..he had little praise - for the poets who were in vogue.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- He considered their work - to be too highbrow.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- He called it "giraffe food".
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Nonetheless, - he could emulate the style.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- He won nearly 50 chairs in all.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- However, this didn't represent - his most heartfelt poetry.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- It's his own more direct poetry - that wins that accolade.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- We see it in such anthologies - as Salmau'r Werin...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- ..Cerddi Gwerin and Cerddi Rhyddid.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- "Many a quiet hour I spent
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- "After the toil of a long day
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- "Many a song I sang so freely
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- "To republics, along the way.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- "I sang not for a chair of oak
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- "Nor for a silver or golden wall
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- "I sang - and not for profit
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- "For the people - that is all.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- "There is rebellion in my breast
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- "And revolution in my blood
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- "My muse can only sing the story
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- "Of the wretches underfoot.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- "Others seek to be lawmakers
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- "To raise the weak from worldly fall
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- "I'll sing loudly in the battles
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- "For the people - that is all.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- For the people - that is all
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- "The preachers and the priests
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- "They curse me silently
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- "The brothers aim to save the souls
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- "Of worldly sinners so ungodly.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- "On human rights I place importance
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- "The rights of workers to stand tall
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- "I'll sing beneath - the profane rituals
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- "For the people - that is all."
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- Niclas talks of the importance - of simplicity in poetry.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- The common man must understand it.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- A prominent regular feature - is his challenging attitude.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- We must admire him for it.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- His messages are so consistent.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- He is also so clear, - and he is what he is.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- He is the true poet of the people.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- I recall asking this of Niclas.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- How was he so eloquent - when standing before an audience?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- The answer he gave me was this.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- "If it's worth saying, - the words will come to you".
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- The rights of workers to stand tall
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- Life is beautiful - - not its decorations
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- In a way, these volumes - amount to a kind of manifesto.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- They appear when he joins the ILP, - the Independent Labour Party.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- This is when he became close friends - with the MP, Keir Hardie.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25- As well as being a minister, - he also edited the Welsh column...
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- ..in the radical newspaper, - The Merthyr Pioneer.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- But his ten years - in the valley are nearly over.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- The next step for Niclas - is a return to rural Wales.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- "Sometimes a song comes - as mellow as wine drops
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- "To sing hope - amid the dry branches."
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- TE Nicholas had a hard time - when the First World War broke out.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- He was a pacifist - and a conscientious objector.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- In 1914, he moved - to become a minister...
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- ..in Llanddewibrefi - and Llangybi in Cardiganshire.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- There was a fierce reaction - to his anti-war sermons.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- Certainly, that led to conflict - with many of the deacons...
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- ..and other prominent chapelgoers.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- His writings angered those - who backed the war.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Some newspapers and journals...
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- ..refused to publish his work - and his letters.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- His pacifist poems - were utterly forthright.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- They rejected any heroic, - romantic connotations of warfare.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Blood! Blood! Blood! - And a myriad of brothers fallen
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0:10:04 > 0:10:04- Subtitles
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- TE Nicholas was both a socialist - and a pacifist.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- The two things - didn't always go hand in hand.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- In 1918, he stood - as a parliamentary candidate...
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- ..for the Independent Labour Party - in Aberdare.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37- He was asked if he would - willingly shake hands with a German.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- What was the response - from Niclas y Glais?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- "Why not?"
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- This didn't please everybody.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- His pacifism and his humanity...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- ..were far too radical - for some people.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- We hear of him on many occasions - being persecuted and threatened.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- His car was set on fire, and so on.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- He lost that election, undoubtedly.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- However, as time progressed, - and over the next two years...
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- ..he felt that the Labour Party - wasn't the answer.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- It would not implement - his cherished socialist principles.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- He wasn't the only radical - in the family.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- My grandfather - was a very staunch pacifist.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- He also supported the ILP.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- During the First War...
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- ..Niclas led the Cardiganshire - "No Conscription Fellowship".
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- My grandmother's brother, - Ben Jones of Aber-cuch...
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- ..led it in Pembrokeshire.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- Of course, Niclas y Glais - was a prophet in his pacifism.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- People gradually came to see - that his portrayal of war...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- ..was fairly close to the mark.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- But, by now, he felt compelled - to give up the ministry.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- He changed direction completely - and became a dentist.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- I considered the work I'd done, - and my speeches over the years.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- My wishes included - getting rid of the slums...
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- ..and building affordable homes - for the workers.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- It was the same work in a sense.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- I was extracting and replacing - rotten, unhealthy teeth.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42- There is no conflict at all - between dentistry and my politics...
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- ..and the new world - of which I dream.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- He describes himself giving - dental treatments on a Saturday.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- He then treats the saintly souls, - his patients, on a Sunday.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- It's not the Creed - but little daily things
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- That are life's foundations - and the pinnacles of faith
0:13:07 > 0:13:13- His son, Islwyn, also now worked - in their little dental practice.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- At the end of the dentist's day, - the evening's political work began.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- Campaigning, lecturing, - and supporting trade unions.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- He backed the farmers, - the miners and the quarrymen.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- The Russian Revolution - had inspired Niclas y Glais.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- Lenin was his big hero.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- Niclas saw himself as part of - an international, global movement.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- He drew great strength from this.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- He wanted a change in the system, - and wished to see justice.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- He looks towards Russia, - and then towards China.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- It was this idealism - that kept him going.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00- I believe that, latterly, he became - more supportive of China and Cuba.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- He took a keen interest - in the changes in China.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- In faraway Cuba, - soldiers of hell and the yank
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- In little Wales, - Hitler, his legion and tank.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- You must admire him - for sticking to his beliefs.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- The authorities - were fuming with him.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- They sent the police into chapels - to hear him preach.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- No wonder - when he writes lines like these.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Righteousness is in vain - As is the song of Calvary
0:14:31 > 0:14:36- While Rhondda's hills are red - With my brothers' innocent blood!
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- They eventually found an excuse - to imprison him.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- He and his son Islwyn - were both accused of being fascists.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- The evidence - was merely a set of flags...
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- ..of the kind - which newspapers distributed...
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- ..to chart armies' progress - on a map of Europe.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- They found a set in his house.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- It was a sufficient excuse - to take him in, and to imprison him.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- Niclas y Glais and his son Islwyn - were imprisoned in Swansea.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- He was allocated the number 2740 - and put in the "aliens" category.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- A Welshman in Wales, - classed as a foreigner.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- He was then sent to Brixton.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- He was there during the Blitz.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- He was amazed when the guards - ran for cover as the bombs fell...
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- ..while the prisoners - were ordered to stay put.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55- Niclas y Glais was too busy - to add real polish to his poetry...
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- ..until he found himself in prison.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Here, he perfected - the art of the sonnet.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- The length of the sonnet - was a factor.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- It consists of 14 lines.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- It fitted neatly - onto a sheet of toilet paper.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- It was an easy task for academics - who wished to organize his work.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- That's because the colour - of Brixton's toilet paper...
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- ..was different to Swansea's.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- His sonnets - and later works were praised.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- It was considered - to be very fine poetry indeed.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- It was more sensitive, - and quieter in many ways.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- But he stuck to the same themes.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- He continued to challenge.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- "You, my friend, took the easy paths
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- "In a world - of great skills and sweet sails
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- "And gave to shallow, - flexible consciences
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- "The broad promise - of a heaven beyond the stars.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- "You were placed, friend, - in the principal seats
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- "And praised - for your success in the world
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- "There was no shortage - of flattery or empty words
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- "As you went flying higher, higher.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- "I descended - into the poverty of the people
0:17:27 > 0:17:31- "Into the depth and tragedy - of blood and treachery
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- "And turned my back - from the western sunset
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- "To the golden east, - the well of the country's hopes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- "My body was captured, it's true
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- "In the nets of fate
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- "Your soul is in prison too, - brother."
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Gwenallt said this of TE Nicholas.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16- "Moscow owns the ideas...
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- "..Crymych owns the senses."
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- But chief bard - James Nicholas says this.
0:18:21 > 0:18:27- "In truth, the senses and the ideas - belonged to Crymych and to Wales."
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- The seeds of the rebel within him - were sown there in his youth.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Everyone worked together - in Pembrokeshire...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- ..especially at harvest time.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- It was easy for me - to grasp the Russian order...
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- ..with its collective farms.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- I formed an idea - at that time, as a child...
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- ..that it was a glorious thing - for men to work together...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- ..in order to gather the harvest.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- I hoped to extend the principle.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- My cottage of longing - amid reeds and heather
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Laughter aplenty and nothing false.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- He certainly influenced me - in many ways.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- He said that there was no clash...
0:19:14 > 0:19:17- ..between nationalism - and internationalism.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- He also taught me - to look behind the headlines...
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- ..to see what goes on in the world.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Niclas is a visionary.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- He stays true to his vision - throughout his life.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- Capitalism will fail.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- The common people will prevail.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- That the principles - of peace and justice...
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- ..are integral to human good...
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- ..and people's love - towards each other.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- I'd like to live to see one thing.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11- To see, say, half a dozen - socialist Welsh MPs...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- ..to retrieve the power - of the British parliament...
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- ..from those American gangsters.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- Religion should lead the way - in this regard.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- The Cross is not an anchor.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- It is a flag - to lead the world onwards...
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- ..from its difficulties - to a better freedom.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43- TE Nicholas was convinced - that things could be improved.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48- He could also visualize - a role for Wales to play.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- Its people could fight - an international battle for justice.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Without doubt, the life and work - of Niclas y Glais prove...
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- ..that you can love your parish, - your nation and the world.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- "For me once, - Wales was greater than the world
0:21:24 > 0:21:28- "I knew nothing at that time - of the vastness of the globe
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- "It was by my love for her - that I measured fair Wales
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- "She had been created, - or so I thought
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- "In a manner - akin to my father's garden.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- "I thought that heaven - and its lovely blue curtains
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- "Leaned on the tall shoulders - of the hills of this bardic land
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- "And I believed as a child
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- "That dear Wales was the owner
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- "Of the refined, - seven-coloured rainbows
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- "Bow-like above my head.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- "Things have changed today
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- "I love the whole wide world
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- "But there's no less a place - for my homeland in my heart.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- "The world is greater than Wales
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- "I realize that by now
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- "And I'm glad that dear old Wales
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- "Is part of the greater whole."
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:02 > 0:23:02- .