James James James James James James (also known by the bardic name "Iago ap Ieuan") (1832–1902) was a harpist and musician from Pontypridd, Wales. He composed the tune of the Welsh national anthem "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" (also known as "Land of my Fathers"). Today, the same tune is also used for the Breton anthem, "Bro Gozh ma Zadoù", and the Cornish anthem, "Bro Goth agan Tasow". James was born on 4 November 1832, at the 'Ancient Druid' inn, Hollybush, in the parish of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire. He was the son of Evan James (1809–1878) and Elizabeth Stradling of Caerphilly. His father, a
Blackwood, Caerphilly the parish of Bedwellty, Monmouthshire. He moved to Pontypridd when his son James (Iago ap Ieuan, 1833-1902) was a young boy. Evan James and his son James are credited with composing the Welsh national anthem, 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau' ('Land of my Fathers') in 1856. Evan was a poet and it is believed that he wrote the words while his son James composed the tune. The song was published in the volume 'Gems of Welsh Melody' (1860) and soon became extremely popular. It is not certain when the song was first adopted as the Welsh national anthem. A memorial, designed