March Of The Men Of Harlech

Album: Welsh Melodies (1862)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Usually known simply as "Men Of Harlech," this famous harp melody nearly became the Welsh National Anthem. The original, known as "Rhyfelgyrch Gwyr Harlech," is of unknown provenance though it probably dates from either the siege of Harlech of 1408/9 or the Wars Of The Roses.

    The music was first published by the King's Harpist Edward Jones in his 1794 book Musical And Poetical Relicks Of The Welsh Bards (usually known simply as Relicks); the song was published in Volume II of the 1862 collection Welsh Melodies... with Welsh lyrics by Talhaiarn (who also versified "The Ash Grove"), and English lyrics by T. Oliphant.

    It was sung at a mass meeting of the Welsh churches in London's Hyde Park on June 21, 1913, and has been popular ever since. As with many famous songs, the lyrics have been changed and augmented over the years, probably most famously for the 1964 film Zulu in which it was sung by a regiment under siege from native warriors, but the contemporary military connection is by no means fictional, and "Men Of Harlech" is the official song of several regiments, including the Royal Regiment Of Wales and the Royal Canadian Hussars. Besides Zulu it has featured in a number of films.

    There are also numerous published arrangements including an 1896 arrangement by John Hartman for cornet with piano accompaniment and a whole series of arrangements in 2001 by International Music Publications including for flute and trumpet. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.