Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau of my fathers is dear to me,<br> Land of bards and singers, famous men of renown;<br> Her brave warriors, very splendid patriots,<br> For freedom shed their blood. Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the bard,<br> Every valley, every cliff, to my look is beautiful.<br> Through patriotic feeling, so charming is the murmur<br> Of her brooks, rivers, to me. If the enemy oppresses my land under his foot, <br> The old language of the Welsh is as alive as ever.<br> The muse is not hindered by the hideous hand of treason,<br> Nor [is] the melodious harp of my country. "Other translations include:"
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was first performed in the vestry of the original Capel Tabor, Maesteg (which later became a working men's club), in either January or February 1856, by Elizabeth John from Pontypridd, and it soon became popular in the locality. James James, the composer, was a harpist who played his instrument in the public house which he ran, for the purpose of dancing. The song was originally intended to be performed in 6/8 time, but had to be slowed down to its present tempo when it began to be sung by large crowds. The popularity of the song increased after the Llangollen