C'mon Wales: Our Euro 2016 Singalong

APPLAUSE

Good evening, noswaith dda i chi, and welcome to Euro 2016 Singalong.

Now, then, over the years,

Wales fans have rummaged through the vinyl collection,

found an interesting mix of pop songs,

and with some great imagination,

have turned them into chants that have supported the national team.

So we've put together some pop singers, a beatboxer,

and obviously, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales,

led by the person who has

arranged all the music that we are going to hear tonight -

our musical director, John Quirk.

APPLAUSE

Now we're going to look back

at what it took for Wales to qualify for Euro 2016.

And who better to tell us this story

than someone who was at every second of every match

that the team played to reach France?

BBC Wales football commentator, Rob Phillips!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, how did we come to be here after so many years?

Well, if someone ever asks you, "Were you in Zenica?"

It can only mean one thing, can't it?

We begin where our story kind of ends. Rob will explain.

Last September, Wales went to a small city in Bosnia and became the

first Wales squad to qualify for a major tournament in almost 60 years.

In those decades in between, it's been an often dramatic journey.

The Tartan Army, the Boys in Green,

the Hordes Across The Border have packed their bags

for tournament finals,

while we've watched with a pained disinterest,

having to live off the grainy pictures of Welsh heroes

strutting their stuff at the 1958 World Cup Finals.

It was in Sweden they ended up lucky losers,

and helped launch the totemic career of Edson Arantes do Nascimento -

Pele to you and I - the man who broke our hearts.

It's happened plenty of times since. How many ways can you find to fail?

Well, let's just say, Wales have been imaginative.

ORCHESTRA: Kernkraft 400 by Zombie Nation

# Zombie

# Zombie

# Zombie nation

# Zombie

# Zombie

# Zombie

# Zombie nation... #

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

-COMMENTATOR:

-James is onside!

And this is a real opportunity to put Wales in the finals.

And he's done it!

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

And with nine minutes left, it's back to 1-1.

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

And that is a penalty to Scotland.

And that's Wales 1, Scotland 1!

'Wales manager Mike England has been called

'before an official Welsh FA enquiry into this incident,

'involving Welsh FA Secretary Alun Evans,

'for an explanation of the disputed penalty

'which put Wales out of the World Cup.'

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

Oh! He's hit the crossbar!

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHOIR MIMICS MAIN RIFF

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Well, it's been a tough old watch for Welsh fans over the years,

but they never gave up hope that one day they would watch their team

reach the finals of a major tournament, and that day has arrived.

But for Chris Coleman and his players,

the journey has been an emotional one.

ORCHESTRA: Yma O Hyd

Wales have had golden generations, but they didn't glitter.

The latest claimants were a long time in the making.

John Toshack bloodied them.

Gary Speed mentored and moulded them into a force of promise.

But then he was gone, leaving Welsh football shaken to the core,

consumed in grief, desolate at the loss.

Chris Coleman inherited the responsibility.

The country mourned, the players mourned,

a cycle of melancholy, until Coleman was brave, and did things

his way whilst never forgetting the influence of his friend.

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Dwyt ti'm yn cofio Macsen

# Does neb yn ei 'nabod o

# Ma' mil a chwe chant o flynyddoedd

# Yn amser rhy hir i'r co'

# Pan aeth Magnus Maximus o Gymru

# Yn y flwyddyn tri-chant-wyth-tri

# A'n gadael yn genedl gyfan

# A heddiw, wele ni!

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Er gwaetha' pawb a phopeth

# Ry'n ni yma o hyd

# O hyd. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Diolch yn fawr.

So, in the Autumn of 2014, the time came for Wales

to start their attempt to qualify for Euro 2016.

For the first match, the fans travelled in expectation,

and, of course, the road to France

started in a picture-postcard principality in the Pyrenees.

A September trip to Andorra - a country half the size of Anglesey.

They were ranked just above Papua New Guinea,

and had lost every one of their last 44 games.

Surely THIS Wales team would comfortably beat

their amateur opponents?

But there were murmurings that the plastic pitch could hinder

the Welsh players, who were more accustomed

to playing on the best surfaces in world football.

That whisper became a scream

when the minnows were gifted an opportunity.

ORCHESTRA: Give It Up by KC and the Sunshine Band

It's a penalty to Andorra. The Wales players are stunned.

Andorra score against Wales after just six minutes!

Purgatory in the Pyrenees

until the talisman triumphed overall.

# Everybody wants you

# Everybody wants your love

# I'd just like to make you mine all night

# Yeah

Come on!

# Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Gareth Bale Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Gareth Bale Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Oh, yeah, yeah

# Whoa...

# Everybody sees you

# Sees you, ah

# Everybody looks and stares

# I'd just like to make you mine, all mine

# Make you mine, make you mine Make you mine

Come on!

# Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Gareth Bale

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Everybody wants you

-# Everybody wants your love

-Yes, they do

# I'd just like to make you mine all mine

# Make you mine, make you mine Make you mine

# Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Gareth Bale Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Gareth Bale

# Gareth, Gareth Bale

# Come on, come on, come on

# Yeah, yeah

# Hey, yeah

# Whoa, yeah. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

A month later, two games in Cardiff.

Unexpectedly, Bosnia had been beaten at home by Cyprus,

so Wales had the chance to really make the running in the group.

Injuries had not been kind to the Welsh -

no Aaron Ramsey, no Joe Allen.

Could Wales cope?

Nevertheless, the fans readied their voices

to celebrate their new cult heroes.

ORCHESTRA: No Limit by 2 Unlimited

# Ashley, Ashley Ashley, Ashley

# Ashley, Ashley Williams

# Jonny, Jonny, Jonny

# Jonny, Jonny

# Jonny, Jonny Williams

# No, no limit We'll reach for the sky

# No valley too deep No mountain too high

# No, no limit Won't give up the fight

# We do what we want and we do it with pride

# Ashley, Ashley, Ashley

# Ashley, Ashley

# Ashley, Ashley Williams

# Jonny, Jonny, Jonny

# Jonny, Jonny

# Jonny, Jonny Williams... #

It was tense, it was tough.

There was no room for manoeuvre against the Cypriots,

who'd stung Wales before.

ORCHESTRA: Push It by Salt n Pepa

# Ooh, baby, baby

# Ooh, baby, baby Ooh, baby, baby

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson

# Hal Robson-Kanu

# Hal Robson, Hal Robson-Kanu

# Oh! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, where were we? Well, Wales were in top spot in Group B,

but their next opponents had genuine hopes to become kings of Europe,

and for the fans,

it was a November trip to a capital city in the Low Countries.

Only the A-game would do for Brussels.

Belgium - group favourites,

and the finest exporter of talent in world football.

Courtois, Vertonghen, de Bruyne and Hazard.

Where was the weakness?

ORCHESTRA PLAYS:

-COMMENTATOR:

-0-0, and it's so far, so good for Wales against the...

Oh, lovely touch... Chadli was denied by Hennessey.

What a good save that was.

What was I saying about things going OK?

Oh, and it's hit the post!

And Wales have got away with it.

# Let this war cry sounding

# Summon all at Cambria's call

# The mighty foe... #

Oh, he's let it in there. He's into the box.

Oh, he's shot past the goalpost!

# Men of Harlech, on to glory!

# This will ever be your story

# Read these burning words... #

And Wales keep the group favourites at bay.

# From the hills resounding

# Let this war cry sounding

# Summon all at Cambria's call

# The mighty foe surrounding

# Men of Harlech, on to glory

# This will ever be your story

# Read these burning words before ye

# "Welshmen win the field!" #

The Zombie Nation went into hibernation,

hoping the winter frost would not extinguish

the spring shoots of expectation.

APPLAUSE

Well, by springtime,

Group B's pole position had been surrendered to a thriving Israel,

who had played one less game than Wales, but had won all three.

And it was the Israelis who were the next opponents for the Welsh.

So, for the supporters, it was a voyage to the Middle East.

In the sea port of Haifa, Wales produced

one of the performances of the campaign.

As Joe Allen pulled the strings, Bale was unstoppable,

and Aaron Ramsey danced and jigged and then did this.

Ramsey header...

It's a goal for Wales!

# When I'm with you baby I go out of my head

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# All the things you do to me and everything you said

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# We slip and slide as we fall in love

# And I just can't seem to get enough of... #

2-0!

Gareth Bale proves again he's the real deal!

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough, hey! #

Wales will top Group B tonight.

It's Israel 0-3 Wales!

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# And when it rains you're shining down on me

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# Just like a rainbow, you know you set me free

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough

# You're like an angel and you give me your love

# And I just can't seem to get enough of...

# I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough... #

Final whistle goes.

It's high-five in Haifa!

# I just can't get enough

# I just can't get enough I just can't get enough. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, this was getting very serious.

By the summer, Cyprus had drifted,

Bosnia was in absolute tatters,

but the Belgians had caught up with Wales,

and it was they who were next to visit Cardiff

in the month of June.

Seriously - could this actually happen?

Dare the Welsh dream?

The all-star cast of Belgium

were now ranked as the second-best team in the world,

and sat top of Group B,

their fans in high, jovial spirits.

The visitors started confidently.

Wales were strong,

and then a moment of Mohican madness.

-COMMENTATOR:

-Oh, that's a terrible header.

Straight to Bale! 1-0 Wales!

Could it last?

Belgium hadn't tasted defeat since Lionel Messi's Argentina

had beaten them at the World Cup a year earlier.

There was still more than an hour to go.

The slick Belgians kept on coming.

Lukaku, Benteke, Hazard, hitting their stride.

Wales stood firm,

and then the fans came to their aid.

# Gwlad

# Gwlad

# Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad

# Tra mor yn fur

# I'r bur hoff bau

# O bydded i'r heniaith barhau

# O bydded i'r heniaith

# Barhau... #

One love, one voice, 1-0.

Wales had soared back to the top of the group,

France was a year away,

but had never felt so close.

APPLAUSE

Autumn.

Two more wins would ensure Wales would not have to wait

another two years to attempt to qualify for another tournament.

Wales fans headed for Cyprus in their thousands.

They partied in Ayia Napa,

and then headed to Nicosia,

where they celebrated in style.

But their team struggled in the evening heat

to overcome the Cypriots.

-COMMENTATOR:

-Bale breaks through one.

Gives it up to Aaron Ramsey.

Into the penalty area... Ramsey curls it... Oh, just over the bar!

# I love you, baby

# And if it's quite all right

# I need you, baby

# To warm the lonely night

# I love you, baby

# Trust in me when I say

# Oh, pretty baby

# Don't bring me down, I pray

# Oh, pretty baby

# Now that I've found you, stay

# And let me love you, baby

# Let me love you

# You're just too good to be true

# I can't take my eyes off you

# You'd be like heaven to touch

# I wanna hold you so much

# At long last love has arrived

# And I thank God I'm alive

# You're just too good to be true

# I can't take my eyes off of you... #

And it was Gareth Bale who made the difference once more.

-AUDIENCE:

-# Da-da-da-da-da-da-da... #

# ..I love you, baby

# And if it's quite all right

# I need you, baby

# To warm the lonely night

# I love you, baby

# Trust in me when I say

# Oh, pretty baby

# Don't bring me down, I pray

# Oh, pretty baby

# Now that I've found you, stay

# And let me love you, baby

# Let me love you...

# You're just too good to be true... #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, everything was on course, and three days later,

there was another game.

Victory over Israel,

the country that the Welsh heroes of almost 60 years ago had beaten

to reach the 1958 World Cup,

would guarantee safe passage to France.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon for the fans

to witness an historic moment.

-COMMENTATOR:

-Are we about to have the biggest party

that Welsh football has ever known?

The team seized control early on, but the Israelis held out.

Robson-Kanu near the byeline, now he has to get it across.

Bale was coming in, headed away by Tal Ben-Haim.

Ramsey hit it left-footed.

And then right at the end, a chance.

Oh, the defence allowed it to drop.

Touch!

No, it's not.

It was headed home by Church, but he was offside.

The fans had been ready to laud the players,

who along with Gareth Bale, had become true Welsh heroes.

# Ain't nobody like Joe Ledley

# Makes me happy

# Helps me feel this way

# Ain't nobody like Joe Ledley

# Thank you. #

# Don't, don't you want me

# You know I don't believe you when you say that you don't need me

# It's much too late to find

# When you think you've changed your mind

# You better change it back or we will both be sorry

# Aaron Ramsey baby

# Aaron Ramsey, oh-oh-oh

# Aaron Ramsey, baby

# Aaron Ramsey, oh-oh-oh

# Give me hope, Joe Allen Hope, Joe Allen

# Give me hope, Joe Allen 'fore the morning comes

# Give me hope, Joe Allen Hope, Joe Allen

# Hope before the morning comes

# Give me Hope, Joe Allen

# Said, give me Hope, Joe Allen

# Said, give me

# Hope, Joe Allen 'fore the morning comes

# Give me hope, Joe Allen Give me

# Hope, Joe Allen # Hope before the morning comes. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, just one point needed with two games to go.

The last match, a home banker against Andorra.

Who would see Wales over the line?

Well, the man who came to their rescue was

a certain Jason Demetriou.

Jason who? Just bear with us.

As Wales travelled to the Bosnian fortress of Zenica,

Cyprus, already out of contention,

went to Israel, who needed two wins

to keep their slim hopes alive.

With the finishing line in sight, Wales just needed to avoid defeat.

-COMMENTATOR:

-The corner comes across.

COMMENTRY DROWNED BY CHEERING

..and it's turned in by Ibisevic.

As the game in Bosnia petered out,

step forward London-born Jason Demetriou,

who scored a late winner 1,300 miles away in Jerusalem.

That goal gave Cyprus an unexpected triumph over Israel,

and sent Wales to the Euros.

That result in Israel means the celebrations can start.

Wales will be in France

next summer in the Euro 2016 finals.

Chris Coleman's men have freed Welsh football

from the shackles of their history.

# Does anybody know how long to World War Three?

# I wanna know, I've gotta book me holidee

# They want me in the army but I just can't go

# I'm far too busy listening to the radio

# We love to sing We love to dance

# We've ordered our passports

# We're off to France

# Come on, yeah!

# Yeah, yeah!

Aaron Ramsey!

# My friends say that we're heading for a grotty time

# It's just a load of slapstick in a pantomime

# We're heading for disaster but I just don't care

# Shut your eyes and count to ten, you won't be there

# We love to sing We love to dance

# We've ordered our passports, we're off to France

# We love to sing We love to dance

# We've ordered our passports, we're off to France. #

AUDIENCE CHANT AND SING

# We love to sing We love to dance

# We've ordered our passports, we're off to France. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE