MovieChat Forums > How Green Was My Valley (1942) Discussion > What is that song/hymn being sung?

What is that song/hymn being sung?

posted 19 years ago by donmage
15 replies | jump to latest

In the movie there is a well-known (to the Welsh, I believe) hymn sung whilst there are pulling up Huw's dad. I believe it is called Treffyd, but can't find a copy of it anywhere. Thus I think the name I am giving it is wrong.
However, I remember having a copy of a Welsh songfest (Eistefodd??) album and the song was on there. That was in the days of vinyl LPs.

The soundtrack available does not list this song or contain it on the disk.

By the way, this is one of my favorite movies, almost right up there, though not in depth, as Gone With The Wind (#1 favorite).

my # 2 favorite movie is "The Last Days of Dolwyn" (American title, it is sometimes just "Dolwyn", as well as "Woman of Dolwyn"). It is also set in Wales, is based on a true story, and is Richard Burton's screen debut, from what I understand. The star of this movie, however, is the magnificent Edit Evans. What a great movie. However, I haven't seen this movie listed here on television in the states (network, cable or PBS) since the early 1980s.

I have to get a copy at Amazon or some such.

Back to subject, does anyone know the song (hymn?) I am trying to name. Pleeeeeease (does that sound desperate enough?).

Thanks so much.

[–] tfstrode 18 years ago

The main hymn sung (particularly as the miners are returning to their homes from the mine) is to the tune "Cwm Rhondda". I will do a little more research for you as I have a Welsh hymnbook in my office (writing from home now).

This tune is most often used, in the United States, for the hymn "God of grace, and God of glory", by the famous preacher Harry Emerson Fosdick.

T. Strode
Director of Music
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Ann Arbor

[–] tfstrode 18 years ago

As a followup, here is the Welsh text for the tune "Cwm Rhondda":

1. Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch,
Fi, bererin gwael ei wedd,
Nad oes ynof nerth na bywyd
Fel yn gorwedd yn y bedd:
Hollalluog, Hollalluog,
Ydyw'r Un a'm cwyd i'r lan (2x).

2. Agor y ffynhonnau melus
'N tarddu i maes o'r Graig y sydd;
Colofn dan rho'r nos i'm harwain,
A rho golofn niwl y dydd;
Rho i mi fanna, Rho i mi fanna,
Fel na bwyf yn llwfwrhau (2x).

3. Pan yn troedio glan Iorddonen,
Par i'm hofnau suddo i gyd;
Dwg fi drwy y tonnau geirwon
Draw i Ganaan--gartref clyd:
Mawl diderfyn, mawl diderfyn,
Fydd i'th enw byth am hyn (2x).

--William Williams

English paraphrase, also by Williams:

1. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim, through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand:
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield (2x).

2. Open Thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing streams doth flow;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore (2x).

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee (2x).

[–] joystar5879 11 years ago

Thank You, so MUCH! I LOVE "CWM RHONDDA". As a long time Choir Singer, I remember it well: It was our regular Processional Hymn on St. David's Day. If St. David's Day wasn't on a Sunday, it was the Sunday immediately preceding it.

It also helped that our Choir Director was named David.

"CWM RHONDDA" is one of those Hymns the is so memorable, that you can hear it 30 years after you stop singing, and your ear still picks up your part.

JS

Choir Singer
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S EPISCOPAL

"I do hope he won't upset Henry.."

[–] tfstrode 18 years ago

After some research, (and actually watching the end of the film, and weeping through it yet again) I have discovered that the tune being sung at the end as Huw's "Dada" is being raised in Huw's arms from the mine, is called "Llef" and is associated with the English words "Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear"

To hear it go to:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/d/bdteolah.htm

T. Strode
Director of Music
St. Paul Lutheran Church & School
Ann Arbor, Michigan

[–] donllively 9 years ago

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I am the original poster of this question but I do not come online much anymore, so now my old IMDB login no longer works.
Not one of the responders provided the answer, many giving the same answer, which is the popular Welsh song listed on the soundtrack on this site. I certainly would have checked that initially prior to requesting assistance. Anyway, I checked out "Llef" onlinfe and it is indeed the correct hymn.
Interestingly, for me that is, I viewed a film entitled "An Englishman Walks Up A Hill and Walks Down A Mountain," which it is also sung. I take it from both films' contexts it is sung on mournful occasions.
Thank you, for now the fourth time, T. Strode.
Gratefully
donll

[–] quildarener 18 years ago

It's the same tune as the hymn sung by the two missionaries leading their African congregation at the beginning of The African Queen.

[–] cherylclair 18 years ago

I believe in the states (at least in the Episcopal Church)we know it as Bread of Heaven. It's a wonderful song, one of those that stays in your head.

Oh Jerry,don't lets ask for the moon,we have the stars.

[–] fugazi3973 17 years ago

The song in the film is "Men Of Harlech"

[–] angharad83 17 years ago

there are quite a number of songs and hymns in this film! not just Men of Harlech, which I think was only sung once or twice.

[–] montaukgirl18 18 years ago

The music in this film is gorgeous, and beautifully sung. The Welsh male choirs are some of the best in the world.

[–] angharad83 17 years ago

The hymn sung when the father is pulled out of the pit is "O Iesu Mawr" (O great Jesus). Please believe me, I just checked. It is swiftly followed by "Myfanwy".

[–] aciolino 17 years ago

No one has named the melody that ends the film, which is heard in many variations throughout the film.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mgduffy-823-828048 10 years ago

In case you're still there Aciolino, it's this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxPulya1bSE
There are several choral versions of it on Youtube, and a couple of nice solo versions by Cerys Matthews and John Cale.

[–] jouler500-art 11 years ago

Thanks for finding these songs and giving links. They are so great!
Just saw the film again at TCM Festival (2014). What a powerful, moving and timeless feature dealing with all the large issues of life. Had to wipe away a tear several times. It just touches a certain chord...