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
James James Welsh versifier who wrote under the pen-name of "leuan ab lago", moved with his family to Pontypridd, where he carried on the business of weaver and wool merchant, in about 1844. His son James assisted him in the business. James James composed the melody which was later to be known as "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" in January 1856. Its initial title was "Glan Rhondda" (The banks of the Rhondda), giving rise to the tradition that the tune had come to James as he walked on the bank of the River Rhondda. His father, Evan James, wrote the lyrics that eventually