My Celtic Page
exploring Wales
Wales







In digging for those Celtic cultures that interest me or bear upon my heritage, I now have a page on the Welsh. You may be surprised by some of the speculation and information I have come upon- I was!

In my own family there is no information pertinent to the Welsh, although growing up my dearest friend was Welsh, so I vicariously enjoyed her heritage. An Eisteddfod is an important celebration of their culture, rather like a Ceili. The Welsh are known for their beautiful singing voices, and one of the best known is Tom Jones. And there is Bryn Terfel, an opera singer. I love the Welsh hymns, they are Welsh harpmajestic, yet touched with the melancholy that causes Celtic music to pierce the heart. A commentary on Welsh hymns: The sound of Welsh hymnody is distinctive, with the following qualities:

  • The tunes usually consist of four lines with one or more of them repeated, as in today's Gathering Hymn, Joanna/St. Denio.
  • The tunes have a sturdy quality quite different from English folk tunes. The tunes have strong fundamental harmonies which give them an admirable congregational quality and provide solid, deep-rooted and vigorous singing (favoring the male voices in particular).Tunes exemplifying this are Cwm Rhondda and Hyfrydol.
  • And Welsh tunes possess a singable quality that renders them durable and suitable for the hearty kind of congregational singing that is characteristic of spiritual revival.
Once to Every Man and Nation
Other hymns, words and MIDI's.
A Gymanfa Ganu is a Welsh hymn singing service .The Welsh have always enjoyed singing, and Wales is credited with the development of four-part harmony, which developed in Welsh churches centuries ago. Ancient Welsh records indicate part singing 800 years ago. In the late 1700's and early 1800's, there was a movement amongst Welsh churches to get together annually and sing together, the small congregations of the various villages enjoyed gathering and creating a larger choir with more voices. The gathering, called a Gymanfa Ganu, (loosely interpreted as "the people sing together") grew from regional singing until it became a national event and an integral part of Welsh culture. In America, the custom has been preserved.

Have you noticed how the cuisine of the Irish, Scots, and English are the butt of many jokes? I don't think you would find that so of the Welsh, there are some wonderfully hearty and homey recipes in their repetoire; and I found a page to prove the point.(More yummy recipes) OK, so none of this is revelatory, well, how about this? I have found an article that suggests that Wales as a Nation was invented in America. Whoa, whoa, before irately berating the cheek, the audacity of this American, it was a Welshman who gave the lecture and before you run off to view the link I will tell you what I wonder. Is it possible that as Welshmen immigrated to America they embraced the uniqueness of their culture and inspired the men of their homeland? They certainly retained a great deal of their language and way of life when first establishing themselves here. The Link? Here.Some firsthand history of Welsh Immigrants in America.

And what identifying characteristics might be observed about Welsh culture?
Supposedly:
The Welsh are famous for never giving a direct answer to a question. And here is a joke to illustrate


Dafydd: That fellow over in the corner of the pub - I wonder where he is from?
Grandpa Bob: I'll go ask him. "Hello stranger, where are you from?"
Stranger: I'm not from here.
Grandpa Bob: First time here then, eh?
Stranger: Never have I been here before.
Grandpa Bob: Where do you go to church?
Stranger: Not to the one across the street from the house, that's for sure.
Grandpa Bob: Do you like Welsh choirs?
Stranger: I don't like Opera.
Grandpa Bob: Do you drink Welsh beer?
Stranger: I'm not drinking whisky.
Grandpa's Bob: Are you a member of the visiting Rugby Team?
Stranger: Yes, I'm not.
Dafydd: Did you find out where he is from?
Grandpa Bob: He's OK, he's a Welshman
And what do you think?




I debated with myself about putting a section on Welsh symbols,since there are some very fine sites on the web; so this will be a hybrid- a once over easy from me and links to the sites I found.

daff
The Daffodil
(Cenhinen = Leek, Cenhinen Pedr = Daffodil)The similarity of the Welsh words gives rise to an explanation that this is why the daffodil shares with the leek as a national emblem.
The Leek
The legend of the leek concerns battle identification. The Welsh Saint, David, advised the Welsh to wear leeks in their caps that they may be distinguished from the Saxons.And it is thought that the same thing occurred when Welsh archers fought with Henry V at the battle of Agincourt. Welsh dragon
The Dragon
The Red Dragon is surmised to be derived from a griffin on a Roman standard; it is connected ,also, with ancient legends that the red dragon (representing Wales) would after a long period of adversity, overcome foreign invaders and restore their lands and freedom. It is the emblem upon the Welsh flag against the ground of white and green.
The Love Spoon
spoonA lovespoon is a wooden spoon that was a traditional love token.It would have been carved by a young man for the young woman he wished to marry and offered to her, if she accepted they became betrothed. The spoon may be plain or intricately decorated with various symbols - birds, hearts, wheels, balls - each representing good luck, the blessing of children, wealth,and health.The custom of giving lovespoons began as early as the 16th century,the earliest surviving specimen is dated 1667 but the custom was widespread in Wales before that date.
The term 'Spooning' originated from the custom of making and giving Lovespoons. The carving is one of the most traditional of all Welsh Crafts, each symbol on the spoons having a special significance.

Symbols and their meanings
Hearts - Love and affection
Lock And Key - My heart and home are yours
Harp - A traditional Welsh symbol and Music
Horsehoe - Good luck
Balls in a cage - Number of children
Links ( Chain ) - Loyalty, Faithfulness
Entwined Hearts - Love returned
Dragon - Symbol of Wales and protection
Celtic Cross - Ancient symbol of faith
Flower - Gentleness and growth
Diamond shape -Good fortune
vines/leaves -Long and fruitful life

When a couple emigrated they may be given a spoon containing a real seed - that they may plant in the new land and the plant would serve as a reminder of their home country - WALES.

Welsh Symbols
Welsh Culture
I made this background myself to symbolize two things about the Welsh, their strong tie to the Christian Religion and the Celtic blood with their own special colors of orange-red and green.




Christianity in Wales

The Welsh had a saying which went: "The first thing a Frenchman does in a new country is build a trading post, an Englishman builds a city, a German builds a beer hall, and the Welsh build a church."
Wales has a rich tradition of rich and fervent Christianity. Besides the early tradition, there were not one, but about four revivals, the last one at the beginning of the 1900's. Revivals are when large numbers of the populace accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a sincere and encompassing way that the lives of their community, families, and their own persons are transformed. Such oddities as the Police force having nothing to do and thus forming choirs are such results. To some of us, this is certainly a beautiful vision! If you are interested in learning more, it is a fascinating subject.
Early Church
Welsh Cistercian Houses
Welsh Revival
Eyewitness Account
Viewpoint on

If it seems I am implying that Wales is a great bastion of the Christian faith, I am not. Today, there are not so many fervent Christians as in times past- a situation common in our Modern world. In reading the accounts, clearly a new revival would remedy the confusion of our times.



A beautiful Welsh Song


Welsh Lullaby


1. Huna blentyn yn fy mynwes,
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dyn am danat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
Ni cha dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, anwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.

2. Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
Tithau'n gwenu'n ol dan huno,
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?

3. Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddor;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y mor;
Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.

1. Sleep my baby, at my breast,
'Tis a mother’s arms round you.
Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
Feel my love forever new.
Harm will not meet you in sleep,
Hurt will always pass you by.
Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.

2. Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
O sleep gently, what a sight.
A smile I see in slumber deep,
What visions make your face bright?
Are the angels above smiling,
At you in your peaceful rest?
Are you beaming back while in
Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?

3. Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
Brushing leaves against the door.
Do not dread the murmurring seas,
Lonely waves washing the shore.
Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
While in slumber at my breast,
Angels smiling, have no fear,
Holy angels guard your rest.







Welsh Links




welsh gem

Explore Wales through the web.
These great sites
should give you a start.


Virtual Tour of Wales an extensive site
Medieval Welsh Warriors Castles of Wales
Medieval Hero, Owain Glyn Dwr
More on Owain Glyn Dwr
Everything Welsh-comprehensive
Lonely Planet: Wales
Wales on Britannia
Wales Culture
Some FAQ's Marigold Cottage!
a vist to Wales
Creating Welsh Identity
Celts in Wales
Welsh Costume
Architecture
Art









Are you English? Have a laugh on yourself:
A small cargo plane flying from London to Frankfurt was having difficulty and the four crewman (Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh) were going to have to bail out. Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes. After much discussion, the Welshman said "The Englishman can have my chute." He took it and jumped. The Irishman and Scotsman gazed on the Welshman in great admiration and praise for his brave and unselfish deed. The Welshman replied "It really was nothing, I gave him my knapsack."
A Welsh Photographic Parody






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