Rygbi Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol

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-Calon Lan, Cwm Rhondda,

-I Bob Un Sy'n Ffyddlon.

-Familiar hymns to us all.

-One of world's most prominent rugby

-competitions starts in February...

-..the Six Nations Championship.

-Rugby and religion is the theme...

-..of the first in a new series

-of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

-The atmosphere in Cardiff on

-international match day is electric.

-The city turns into a sea of red.

-Supporters travel from near and far

-to share the experience.

-The game brings us together,

-whatever our background...

-..whatever our beliefs.

-Cardiff is also the headquarters

-of the WRU.

-Later, we'll discuss

-the forming of that union...

-..and the relationship between

-the game, religion and hymn singing.

-We join the congregation

-in Eglwys Dewi Sant, Neath...

-..as we celebrate

-the start of the Six Nations.

-Our captain is the international

-conductor, Owain Arwel Hughes.

-There's no better feeling

-than being part of a team.

-That's certainly true

-in the sporting world.

-As we begin a new series

-of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol...

-..we have a new team too.

-It's a wonderful experience

-to meet the team.

-We're excited

-about the new series...

-..a new chapter

-for Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

-It's part of the Welsh

-broadcasting tradition.

-I'm proud to be part of it

-and we'll have fun meeting people.

-I think it will be enjoyable

-but the work is important.

-I think this new series

-will be a series...

-..that says something new

-about the way we worship...

-..and how singing is so important.

-I'm looking forward

-to a journey of discovery...

-..meeting people,

-hearing their stories...

-..and the role that music

-and congregational singing...

-..plays in their lives.

-I'm looking forward

-to being part of this series.

-I'll be travelling around

-meeting interesting people.

-Everyone has a different story.

-Those stories makes us who we are.

-I can't wait.

-It's great. I'm excited

-about working with this group.

-A programme like

-Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol...

-..I've watched it

-since I was a child.

-I'm part

-of the presentation team now.

-I'm excited about the prospect.

-One of my favourite forms of music

-is hymn singing.

-I'm really looking forward to it.

-This time of year, there's an

-excitement in the air in Cardiff.

-I'm at the Cardiff Arms Park to

-learn more about the relationship...

-..between hymn singing

-and the rugby field.

-Multi-talented Richard Vaughan

-is a pianist, conductor, composer...

-..and music arranger.

-His love for congregational singing

-started in chapel.

-Hymns are so important to the Welsh

-nation, musicians and the public.

-You can trace hymns back

-over the centuries.

-We sing hymns here

-like Calon Lan or Cwm Rhondda.

-You know that your parents

-and grandparents have sung them.

-Every family member

-has sung them over the years.

-These hymns have a lineage

-which connects everyone...

-..be that in a church

-or on the rugby terraces.

-It's very unique.

-You also write music, you compose

-new arrangements for hymns.

-Is that a challenge

-and exciting in this context?

-It's important to see music

-moving forward.

-Making it more contemporary

-is very important to me.

-Even people who've heard the same

-hymn sung for the past 60 years...

-..hearing it in a different way...

-..makes them think differently

-about it.

-It's something I enjoy doing...

-..and it's a privilege

-to be able to do it.

-That path from the chapel to

-a greater stage, the rugby field...

-..is a natural progression.

-It's part of a tradition.

-I remember reading about crowds

-arriving two hours before a game.

-There'd be no entertainment

-for them.

-There were no bands

-or musical performances.

-They decided to sing

-but what could they sing?

-Hymns they sang every Sunday

-in chapel.

-It's no surprise that Cwm Rhondda,

-Calon Lan and Gwahoddiad...

-..the great hymns,

-are as popular as they are now.

-People have picked them up

-naturally here.

-I can't think of a better place to

-sing a hymn than on a rugby field.

-It must be very exciting.

-It's great. You're on the PA system,

-you're miked up.

-It's quite epic.

-It's an amazing experience.

-It's nice to see the singers

-smiling, especially new members.

-Seeing them enjoying themselves

-is really special.

-Many of them

-have grown up watching rugby.

-Singing on the pitch is special.

-A lot of people in the crowd know

-the choir, a lot of them join in.

-We have a lot of other fans.

-Someone from Bristol said,

-"This choir's amazing, we want one!"

-It's nice that the fans

-are jealous of us.

-The choir might be more successful

-than the team at the moment.

-Maybe we could encourage the players

-to play better.

-Well, Nigel Owens, it's nice

-to be on the same team as you...

-..with Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

-This is another side

-of your busy, colourful life.

-What was the appeal for you

-to be a part of this?

-When I was growing up, I used to

-attend the Sunday school and chapel.

-I went to Sunday school

-for the first time...

-..when I was five years old.

-I didn't miss a single Sunday during

-the time I attended Sunday school...

-..in Nebo, Mynyddcerrig.

-All my friends went there,

-that was an important factor.

-I enjoyed singing and performing.

-I was about

-five and a half years old...

-..when I recited

-my first Biblical verse in chapel.

-I remember Jimmy Tegfan

-teaching us in Sunday school...

-..Jimmy and Joyce Mountain Gat.

-Joyce is still alive now.

-Jimmy Tegfan asked my mother

-if I could recite in the pulpit.

-My mother said, "Jimmy, he's too

-young, he's only five and a half."

-"No, he'll be fine," he replied.

-I was fine, I recited and many

-opportunities then came my way.

-I often performed in chapel

-and it strengthened my faith.

-What are your thoughts

-on your faith today?

-My faith is still strong.

-I don't attend chapel anymore.

-There's no reason not to

-but my life is so busy.

-I'm away refereeing

-and I'm hardly home on a Sunday.

-That's not an excuse -

-I'd find time if I wanted to go.

-Was the chapel important

-to your parents and your home life?

-My father is still a member

-of the chapel...

-..and I should become a member.

-My mother attended chapel regularly.

-My mother used to enjoy

-children's services.

-My mother attended regularly.

-I still believe,

-it has nothing to do with my belief.

-I still believe in Christ

-and my faith is still strong.

-How do you prepare

-to face the rugby teams?

-When I'm in the changing rooms

-an hour before kick-off...

-..I play music

-on the docking station.

-Everyone in the changing room

-hears it.

-I ask the assistant referees

-and the video referee...

-..for their favourite songs

-and I put them on the playlist.

-There's one song

-I always listen to...

-..the final song I listen to

-before I take to the field...

-..is Mor Fawr Wyt Ti.

-John Eifion sings it.

-There's nothing better.

-When I'm on the pitch and

-the national anthems are played...

-..when the final anthem is played,

-the home anthem...

-..I always look up to heaven

-for a few seconds.

-I lost my mother nine years ago.

-I always look up and sometimes I can

-see her face looking down on me.

-I bow my head

-and close my eyes for a few seconds.

-I think about my mother up there and

-my father at home watching the game.

-After that, I'm ready

-for the 80 minutes, come what may.

-# Oh, Lord, my God

-# When I in awesome wonder

-# Consider all the worlds

-# Thy hands have made

-# I see the stars

-# I hear the rolling thunder

-# Thy power throughout

-# The universe displayed

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great thou art

-# How great thou art

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great Thou art

-# How great Thou art

-# And when I think of God

-# His son not sparing

-# Sent Him to die

-# I scarce can take it in

-# That on the cross

-# My burden gladly bearing

-# He bled and died

-# To take away my sin

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great thou art

-# How great thou art

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great Thou art

-# How great Thou art

-# When Christ shall come

-# With shout of acclamation

-# And take me home

-# What joy shall fill my heart

-# Then I shall bow

-# With humble adoration

-# And then proclaim

-# My God, how great Thou art

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great Thou art

-# How great Thou art

-# Then sings my soul

-# My Saviour, God, to Thee

-# How great Thou art

-# How great Thou art #

-Rhydian Jenkins, a former rugby

-player with the Scarlets Youth...

-..with a new arrangement

-of Mor Fawr Wyt Ti.

-I'm glad that Nigel

-is so fond of the hymn.

-It was also

-one of Mam-gu's favourite hymns.

-She was also fond

-of our next hymn.

-The composer of the next hymn tune

-comes from Mynachlog Nedd.

-Matthew William Davies,

-an accomplished organist...

-..and conductor

-of Neath Operatic Society...

-..and the Neath Male Voice Choir.

-The hymn tune is Godre'r Coed...

-..the name

-of Matthew Davies' home...

-..set to David Charles' words,

-Tydi Sydd Deilwng Oll O'm Can.

-Some phrases

-are important to the Welsh.

-A nation without language,

-a nation without heart.

-Perseverance pays in the end...

-..and West is best, a phrase

-coined by the giant, Ray Gravell.

-His untimely death

-was a great blow to the nation.

-It was a greater blow for wife Mari

-and daughters Manon and Gwenan.

-Both started a special project

-to help them overcome grief.

-It's named after

-their father's shirt number...

-..Project 13.

-Manon and Gwenan, your father

-was such a national treasure.

-They say time is great healer.

-What are your memories of Dad?

-My memories are the same

-as other people's memories.

-He was an unique character,

-a likeable, loving man...

-..and a fantastic father.

-Ten years have passed

-since you lost your father.

-You were so young - Manon, you

-were 12, Gwenan, you were only nine.

-How did you cope

-with the situation?

-We don't remember much of that time.

-A lot of people

-would struggle to remember.

-By the time we reached our teens...

-..it became easier.

-Today, we feel much more comfortable

-talking about it.

-At the beginning, it was difficult.

-These days, we can speak

-very openly about it, both of us.

-We were together

-throughout the whole time.

-We helped each other

-through everything.

-It was nice to have someone

-who understood how I felt.

-Empathy was important. Is that

-why you established Project 13?

-Tell me more about the idea.

-It's a website to help young people

-dealing with grief.

-They're not alone

-during this terrible time.

-It allows them to share

-their experiences of grief...

-..and empathise with other people

-experiencing the same.

-We're very proud of the project

-and the work it does.

-Have you had a good response?

-We've had a positive response.

-A lot of people have been in touch.

-They've shared their experiences

-and praised the idea.

-That's nice to hear.

-Losing a parent is more common

-than many people think.

-Statistics show that 10% of children

-under 18 have lost a parent.

-Talking about grief

-is still a taboo.

-By breaking that stigma...

-..we're trying to start

-a conversation about it.

-We're sharing experiences.

-You try and respond

-to everyone who contacts you.

-I try and respond to everyone

-who contacts us.

-We've caught up with everything now

-and we're contacting everyone.

-If you're not contacted by another

-member, one of us will contact you.

-You're not alone. We understand

-what it's like to lose someone.

-We're trying our best.

-Project 13 will benefit so many

-children who lose a parent.

-What will you do with the project

-in the future?

-We have ideas but our intention

-is to take the project...

-..to every school, especially

-secondary schools in Wales.

-We want to support

-children and young people.

-These things take time,

-we're trying our best...

-..between working and studying,

-to do everything as well as we can.

-We'll see how it goes.

-I wish you all the best.

-I think the idea is wonderful.

-Back to Dad quickly.

-He was very fond of music.

-What about hymns?

-What was his favourite?

-Calon Lan. Wales and rugby!

-At home in Llangennech,

-20 minutes away from Neath...

-..religion

-and the history of Wales...

-..were an important part

-of my upbringing.

-My parents and grandparents

-would regale stories...

-..about traditions,

-individuals and societies.

-My interest

-has grown over the years.

-Neath reminds me

-of the tradition of the chapels...

-..and the area's strong links

-with sport and religion.

-There's an interesting story

-behind the formation of the WRU.

-Nia met the sports commentator

-Alun Wyn Bevan.

-You can trace the development and

-growth of the Welsh Rugby Union...

-..back to a meeting

-on March 12 1881...

-..here, in this ancient hotel...

-..when 11 representatives

-from clubs across Wales gathered.

-I'll name them.

-Llanelli, Swansea...

-..Cardiff, Newport,

-Brecon, Merthyr...

-..Llandeilo, Llandovery,

-Lampeter and Bangor, Nia.

-They travelled here from Bangor!

-12 members representing

-industry, education and theology.

-That was the beginning.

-They formed

-the Welsh Football Union.

-That was their name?

-That was their name?

-

-They became the Welsh Rugby Union...

-..in 1934.

-Looking at the photos

-in these books...

-..we become aware of the link

-between rugby and ministers.

-In the first

-international match played...

-..England v Wales on Mr Richardson's

-Field, Blackheath, London...

-..three ministers

-turned out for Wales...

-..including the captain,

-James Bevan.

-Later,

-more ministers represented Wales...

-..including the Reverend

-Alban Davies from Llanelli.

-He captained Wales during the season

-before World War One.

-They almost won a Grand Slam.

-They lost by a whisker, in the

-final minutes, against England.

-To win the Championship,

-they played Ireland in Belfast.

-It was a terrible game.

-Players fought one another.

-There were scoundrels on the pitch

-representing both teams.

-And a minister

-right in the middle of them!

-He wore a headguard.

-A journalist who witnessed the

-barbaric language on the pitch...

-..asked the Reverend Alban Davies

-why he hadn't said anything.

-He replied,

-"I couldn't hear a thing."

-Theology and the ministry

-certainly played a prominent role.

-What happened during the Revival?

-Did matches continue?

-This is very interesting.

-During the Revival...

-..many clubs, including Morriston...

-..Loughor...

-..the club and village

-of Evan Roberts...

-..Crynant, just up the road...

-..on their honours board,

-between 1904 and 1906...

-..the words 'No rugby played,

-religious revival'.

-There's an interesting story

-about a player from Kenfig Hill...

-..on hearing Evan Roberts preaching,

-becoming converted.

-He decided to burn his rugby boots

-telling his friends...

-.."I used to play full-back

-for the Devil...

-"..but it's now forward for God."

-The people of Neath are proud

-of their musical tradition.

-This bandstand

-is a symbol of that pride.

-Local schools

-continue the tradition...

-..including

-Ysgol Gymraeg Castell-nedd...

-..where many members of the choir

-play for the rugby team.

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Don't forget to say thank you

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Thank you for our food every day

-# For warm clothing and shoes

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Don't forget to say thank you

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Thank you for good health

-# For energy to work and enjoy

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Don't forget to say thank you

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Thank you for a cosy home

-# And warmth and comfort every day

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Don't forget to say thank you

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Don't forget to say thank you

-# Always remember, never forget

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord

-# Remember to say thank you, Lord #

-It's not quite Hawaii, but

-a stone's throw from Porthcawl...

-..it's my privilege, and a treat,

-to meet a hero from West Wales.

-41 caps for Wales,

-two World Cup campaigns...

-..and these days,

-a well-known broadcaster in Wales.

-The charging bull from Carmarthen,

-Emyr Lewis.

-Here we go!

-Emyr Lewis.

-Emyr Lewis breaks through.

-Good girl. Come on.

-Good girl.

-How are you, Emyr? Nice to meet you.

-How are you?

-Your dog looks like Ieuan Evans

-running across the beach.

-Ieuan would love to be that fast!

-How are you?

-How are you?

-

-Very good.

-I'm glad to meet you. I was thinking

-about 1993 on the way down here.

-That famous try against England.

-Robert Jones passing to you

-and you kicked through.

-Ieuan Evans flew past you.

-What was Robert Jones thinking

-giving me the ball?!

-Robert Jones. Out to Emyr Lewis.

-A little dink through hoping

-Underwood would fall on it...

-..and we'd get a lineout.

-Ieuan was very sharp at the time

-and off he went.

-Ieuan Evans has scored.

-Let's go for a walk along the beach.

-Those surfers look hard,

-harder than rugby players!

-There's something wrong with them

-surfing on a day like today.

-A successful career on the pitch.

-What happens after that,

-when you leave the rugby world?

-There'd always been a void

-in my life...

-..even when I was playing rugby.

-When I retired,

-that void grew even bigger.

-I had too much energy at home

-and things fell apart from there.

-After an unexpected visit

-to Ffaldybrenin Christian centre...

-..he had a spiritual experience.

-When I was there,

-I felt a bolt hitting me.

-My life changed from that day on.

-Was it a coincidence

-that these things happened?

-I don't think so.

-At the time,

-I believed in coincidences...

-..but I'm sure the Lord

-was trying to influence me...

-..to follow the righteous path,

-this new journey that I faced.

-I was trying to pull away from it

-as much as I could.

-Even after Ffaldybrenin, my family

-life still hadn't settled down.

-My wife told me

-I had to go to chapel.

-I couldn't believe what she'd said.

-I asked, "What will I do in chapel?"

-I went to the chapel with

-Garin Jenkins, I'll never forget it.

-I'm walking into the chapel.

-Because there was a power cut

-in the building...

-..one of the elders

-stood up to testify.

-I'd never witnessed this before.

-His testimony,

-almost word for word...

-..would have been the same testimony

-I would have given.

-That's where it all started.

-I started looking back

-at my entire life as a life map.

-A lot of the coincidences, I don't

-believe they were coincidences.

-This was the path the Lord

-had prepared for me.

-Your beliefs and the chapel

-are an integral part of your life.

-Rugby is still part of your life.

-This has been passed on

-to your family.

-Your son plays rugby.

-My son plays rugby for Tata Steel.

-He's enjoying his playing days.

-He was crucial in the way I changed

-and the way I put the Lord first.

-After visiting the chapel

-three or four times...

-..my son joined me.

-People present that day...

-..were encouraged

-to give their life to Jesus.

-My son stood up and walked forward.

-My son doing that gave me

-the strength to take the next step.

-The Father, the Son.

-I walked to the front

-and I remember sitting down.

-This huge emotion came over me...

-..and it felt as if all the weight

-on my shoulders...

-..was unloaded there and then.

-Since then, I haven't looked back.

-# You're the only country for me

-# Oh, Wales

-# You fill my heart with joy

-# You're my heaven

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales

-# I'd give you my life

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales

-# You are my paradise

-# My Wales

-# You are my sunshine

-# When trouble sometimes

-rears its head

-# I'm lifted by images

-of hill and home

-# The land of my birth

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales

-# I'd give you my life

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales

-# You are my paradise

-# My Wales

-# You are my sunshine

-# Oh, my Wales

-# I'd happily sing you a song

-# A song to honour you

-# My sunshine

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales,

-# I'd give you my life

-# Oh, Wales, oh, Wales

-# You are my paradise

-# My Wales

-# You are

-# My sunshine

-# You are

-# My sunshine #

-As we step into another

-Six Nations campaign...

-..I remember back 25 years,

-to this exact month.

-I stepped on to the rugby pitch with

-the hope of representing my country.

-Sadly, my day ended in hospital.

-I was told I was unlikely to run,

-let along play rugby, again.

-Three years later, I played for

-my country in the championship...

-..and realised my dream.

-The scar is still evident,

-a part of my life now...

-..but it also reminds me

-of how strong we are...

-..when we face life's challenges.

-Strength and bravery influences

-how we stand up after falling down.

-Sometimes, the steps we take

-are small, slow and frustrating.

-With a strong belief,

-inner strength, patience...

-..and the willingness

-to step out of the comfort zone...

-..we will discover

-abilities and talents...

-..we never knew existed.

-It's difficult in Wales to separate

-the bond between religion and sport.

-Especially rugby.

-That's just one aspect

-of the story of faith in Wales.

-Throughout the series, we'll enjoy

-a feast of congregational singing...

-..share stories

-of life's experiences...

-..and discover how faith

-influences our lives.

-We look forward to having

-your company on the journey.

-We finish in Neath

-with the words of Ann Griffiths...

-..and a hymn that's renowned

-around the world.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

-.