Ceiriog's first collection of poetry was published in 1860 as "Oriau'r Hwyr" (Evening Hours). He also wrote many light-hearted lyrics, which he adapted to old Welsh tunes or to original music by various composers. His song lyrics include "Dafydd y Garreg Wen" (David of the White Rock) and "Ar Hyd y Nos" (All Through the Night). He also wrote the Welsh lyrics for the song "God Bless the Prince of Wales" and for the Charles Dibdin song, "The Bells of Aberdovey", which he translated as "Clychau Aberdyfi". A Welsh-language version of the song "The Ash Grove" is putatively attributed to Ceiriog Hughes as well. Another source attributes to him the Welsh words of the song "Men of Harlech", first published in 1890, remarking that the English words did not follow until 1893.