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Draw, Draw Ymhell (Tiger Bay) — An adaptation into Welsh of Frank's wonderful song which follows the ups and downs of a miner's family from the South valleys who were forced to leave their country to search — in vain — for a better life in Canada.
Fel Yna Mae Hi Wedi Bod Erioed — During the great protest of the students for freedom on Tianamen Square, a young man stood in front of the tanks and stopped them for a moment. But this brave protest had a horrible and bloody end. Shortly afterwards, four Welshmen were arrested for no reason in the world. Freedom is a very fragile thing, and hidden eyes are watching everywhere.
Cân Angharad — I was asked to greet Angharad Tomos in the Literature Tent after she won the Prose Medal at Steddfod Bro Delyn, and it was a privilege to do so. I hope I didn't do too much wrong with the lovable characters of Gwlad y Rwla! ("Rwdlan Series", Y Lolfa). Thank you, and congratulations, Angharad.
Oscar Romero — To remember the brave Archbishop from El Salvador who was killed in the 1980 massacre, because he stood with the people against the government's violence. I was encouraged to compose the song by Elenid Jones, Organizer of Christian Aid in Wales, and it was from her that I got the quote from Romero "May my blood be the seed of your freedom".
Esgair Llyn (Fields Of Athenry) — "Dayfdd, you have to sing this!" Ray Gravell's voice on the phone, full of enthusiasm as usual, drew my attention to a recording of the "Fields of Athenry". He sent me a copy, and I knew it very well. Introducing this Welsh adaptation for Ray and Mari, — and by the way, Esgair Llyn is a farm near my Mum's house in Aberhosan.
Cân Mandela — This was composed for an evening by the young members of CND Môn at Theatr Seilo, Caernarfon in October 1987. Nelson Mandela has been freed from prison for a while now, but he and his people are still waiting for the day there will be chains apartheid disappears completely. The role played by the Christian Church in the fight for freedom in South Africa is key, and Trevor Huddleston was often quoted in my Father's sermons, and I was a slob.
Dal I Gredu (My Way) — I never took to the English words of "My Way", but the tune is a great one to sing. This composition was recorded for the "Friends 1/4 Canrif" concert in Corwen, on July 16, 1988, and that at the last minute (as the video testifies!), and now it is an integral part of every concert with the Hefin band . The words started their journey as a bit of satirical banter, but by the end it is a testament of faith! We go nowhere without believing.
Cân I Helen — On August 1989, Helen Thomas from Newcastle Emlyn died outside Greenham Camp when she was hit by a horse-carrying vehicle from the police. She was 23 years old. At one time in the Camp, she translated the women's literature into Welsh, planned and planted a flower garden at the Yellow let, and when she appeared in court, she insisted, with determined dignity, on making a statement in Welsh. Campaigning for peace and shelters for women was completely wrong, and in her last letter to her Mother, she said that she was coming home to carry the burden in Wales. But he was not allowed to come back. I present this song to Helen's family, and especially to help her Mother, |anet Thomas with the organization "Quest Cymru".
Cân Yr Aborijini — This was written for the same occasion as Mandela's Song; and I had the opportunity to sing it more famously at a meeting addressed by one of the original inhabitants of Australia who came to Wales in 1989 to talk about the struggle of its people to reclaim their traditional lands and values. Wherever we look in the world, people are fighting the same battle. An old battle, and a new battle — and we must hold arms together.
Awel Y Wylfa (Buachaill An Eirne) — I heard the song "Bachgen o Ireland" being sung in County Kerry on one of my first visits to that lovely country. I heard it again recently being sung by Ciannad, and I decided to give it Welsh words. The bitter-wounded melody suggests sadness and beauty at the same time, which is why I chose to sing about four places in Wales of natural beauty, and of excruciating sadness — Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Tryweryn and Epynt.
Doctor Alan — A song about a completely imaginary character, of course. But if it happened to A.S. of a Welsh-speaking Welshman to lead a campaign against Welsh-language education, he would, by definition, be a traitor.
Cân Y Fam — The Straits War was a needless atrocity. He did not get rid of Saddam Hussein, and freedom was not secured for the Kurds, for the Shiites or indeed for Kuwait. But over a hundred thousand human beings were killed, and the services of an entire country were destroyed. It was all honey on the fingers of the arms dealers, and ready TV entertainment. And as in every war, the mothers on each side were left to cry for their children.
Yr Anthem Geltaidd — Since 1990, this has been recognized as an anthem for the Celtic countries-together, by the Pan-Celtic Festival. He won a competition organized by that festival, and I present it to Tegwyn Williams, to thank him for his great work over the years to bring us and our Celtic comrades closer together.
Original Welsh translated via Google Translate.