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0:00:00 > 0:00:03- This time, we hear the stories...
0:00:03 > 0:00:06- ..behind some - of our most popular hymns.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- Welcome - to Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- # Soli Deo gloria #
0:00:42 > 0:00:47- We'll hear hymns - inspired by storms and birds...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- ..a hymn composed - after a visit to Anfield...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- ..and a performance - from the Colwyn Male Voice Choir.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- We start in Blaen-y-coed, - Carmarthenshire...
0:01:01 > 0:01:03- ..the home of the poet Elfed.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04- In this first hymn...
0:01:04 > 0:01:09- ..he recalls going to a prayer - meeting with his father after dark.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- His father held the lamp, turning - occasionally to check on his son.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- The son was comforted by seeing - his father's face in the lamplight.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- Mae Yn Olau - Ond Cael Gweld Dy Wyneb Di.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- The next story comes from Sweden.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- Poet Carl Boberg was walking home - in a thunderstorm.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- The storm dissipated, - a rainbow appeared...
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- ..and he heard the wren singing - and the church bells ringing.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- That experience inspired him...
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- ..to compose O Store Gud, - How Great Thou Art.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- Storms and birds - have inspired many hymn writers.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- This next story - is about Charles Wesley.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- He was staying in Garth - near Builth Wells...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- ..at the home - of his wife-to-be, Sarah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- It was a very stormy night.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- He saw a robin come into the house - to seek shelter.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- That sight inspired these words.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- "Jesus, lover of my soul, - let me to Thy bosom fly
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- "While the nearer waters roll, - while the tempest still is high."
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Next, the Colwyn Male Voice Choir...
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- ..sing the words - of David Charles, Carmarthen...
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- ..O Iesu Mawr, Rho D'anian Bur, - on the melody Deep Harmony.
0:11:27 > 0:11:38- # O Jesus, let Thy spirit bless
0:11:39 > 0:11:47- # This frail one in the wilderness
0:11:48 > 0:11:58- # To guide him through - the snares of life
0:11:58 > 0:12:09- # On Canaan's way to Thee on high
0:12:10 > 0:12:20- # All grace that through - Thy Church doth flow
0:12:21 > 0:12:30- # In heaven above and here below
0:12:31 > 0:12:42- # All shall I have, - all shall be mine
0:12:42 > 0:12:53- # If I but have Thy grace divine
0:12:54 > 0:13:05- # To Thy most holy feet I'll cling
0:13:05 > 0:13:15- # The virtues of Thy blood I'll sing
0:13:16 > 0:13:25- # The cross I'll bear, - the wave I'll ride
0:13:26 > 0:13:37- # If Thou but with me now abide #
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- The words You'll Never Walk Alone - are linked with Liverpool FC.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- But when Sion Aled went to Anfield - to hear evangelist Billy Graham...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- ..he was inspired - to compose the words...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- .."Mae Iesu'n fuddugol, - a'i bobl gaiff fyw...
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- "..yn fwy na choncwerwyr - drwy gariad Mab Duw."
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- The Thirty Years War - in the 17th century...
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- ..was one of the most destructive - wars in European history.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- This next hymn by Martin Rinkart...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..came to the fore - around the end of that period.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- It's a hymn of gratitude - that the war is over.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- "Now thank we all our God, - with heart and hands and voices."
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- We end with Ann Griffiths' - best-known hymn.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- That was an age when people gathered - in their homes to hold services.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- In December 1802, - John Parry from Chester...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- ..was preaching - at Dolwar Fach, Ann's home.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- His theme - was from the Song Of Solomon.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- "My beloved is white and ruddy, - the chiefest among ten thousand."
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- There's reason to believe...
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- ..that Ann composed Wele'n Sefyll - Rhwng Y Myrtwydd after that sermon.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- We'll leave you with her hymn, - sung on the hymn tune Cwm Rhondda.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- Until next time, - thanks for your company and goodbye.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:53 > 0:23:53- .