Land Of My Fathers

Album: Welsh Melodies (1858)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Land Of My Fathers" is the English translation of the Welsh National Anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" which was written in 1856 by the father and son team of Evan James (1809-78) and James James (1832-1902). The Welsh version is generally preferred, but the song's powerful imagery translates well, making it one of the best known, and some would say best, national anthems in the world, even though similar sentiments can be found in many other national anthems.
  • According to the 9th Edition of National Anthems Of The World, this song, which is written in 3/4 time, was "First sung at the famous Llangollen Eisteddfod of 1858, and now regarded as having the status of a National Anthem. It is also sung as an anthem in Britanny, to a Breton version by J. Taldir." The version included in this book has English versification by W.S. Gwynn Williams and is arranged by him and W.L. Reed (co-editor of the book) "by permission of the Gwyn Publishing Co", copyright 1950. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 1

  • Wayne from CardiffThe song was first sung in public in welsh in Capel Talbot in Maesteg in 1856.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."