Robert Rees (singer) at Soar Congregational chapel. He took a course of instruction at the Swansea Training College and was successful enough to give up work to devoted his whole time to music. Rees served for three years as precentor of Walter Road Congregational Church in Swansea and he conducted in singing festivals and served as adjudicator. In 1874, at the National Eisteddfod, held in Bangor, Rees performed the song "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" and according to the "Baner ac Amserau Cymru" journal "had taken the Eisteddfod by storm". "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" was adopted as the Eisteddfod song in 1880 and sung
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