Evan James (Ieuan ap Iago:- 1809 - 20/9/1878) An Ivorite song to be sung to the tune of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

On a lighter note, happy St Davids day/ dydd dewi sant. Cymru rydd!
Evan James was a modest tradesman living in Pontypridd in the mid nineteenth Century. Born in 1809 in Caerphilly. He was a weaver by trade, who would spend his spare time reading literature and composing simple poetry. From an early age he showed a natural gift gor music and became fond of the harp. He also happens to be the author  of Wales National anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (land of my Fathers), giving the Welsh nation inspiration and passion, and something to sing about on Rugby International days.
An occasional  publican, his circle of interest was the local eisteddfodau, the Ivorite charity society, and the motley  circle of poets who gathered at the Rocking Stone/ Y Garreg Siglo on Pontypridd  Common, the central point for the meeting of the Gorsedd or gathering of the bards, which were first organised by a hero of mine, that rascal called Edward Williams, otherwise known as Iolo Morgannwg. Oh and Evan also went under the bardic name of Ieuan ap Iago.
Anyway off in a while to warm my soul with a hearty bowl of cawl, and a tasty piece of cheese.
Heddwch/peace

Can Iforwal:
 i'w chanu ar don Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

Gyfeillion Iforwal a breinuddawlllawn bri,
Cyflwynaf trwy draserch iachannerchi chwi,
Os noddir trwy burdeb ein hundeb yn iawn,
O frody ei gysur a gawn

Byrdwn;

   Iaith, iaith, noddwn yr hen iaith
   Hoff aeg odidog enwog yw
   Tan faner Iforiaeth bydd fyw.

Gwir yw'r hen ddihareb 'mewn undeb mae nerth'
Trwy'r profiad a gawson ni wyddom ei gwerth,
Mae braint ac anrhydedd o'i golud i'w gael
A rhinwedd gorfoledd gwir fael.

Byrdwn;

Y firain Iforiaeth hoff heiaeth ei flawd
Gwir brawf o'i gweithredoedd ar gyhoed a gawn,
Cynhorthwy tra rhyfedd o'i rhinwedd a roes
Mewn adfyd, tan glefyd a gloes

Byrdwn;

Boed heddwch a chariad wyr mad yn ein mysg
Gan ddiwyll ymdrechau i daenu gwawl dysg,
Meithrinwn gyd-deimlad o'r bwriad di-ball
Fo'n gynne, er lles naill y Llall.

Byrdwn;

Er pob creulonderau am oesau tra maith
Ni lwyddodd un gelyn yn erbyn ein hiaith
Er lladd ein Tywysog galluog a'n Llyw
Mae'r berffaith hen  famiaith yn fyw.

Byrdwn;

An Ivorite song:
to be sung to the tune of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

Ivorite friends privileged and honoured
I offer adoration and greetings to you,
if properly protected our union in purity,
My brothers, it's comfort we'll have

Refrain

   Welsh, Welsh, we will protect the old tonque
   Beloved and splendid and famed
   Beneath the Ivorite banner will live.

True is the old proverb 'in union there's strength',
From our experince it's value we know,
There's honour and privilege to be had from its wealth
And virtue  and joy to be won.

Refrain;

The comely fellowship abundant its fate
True proof of its actions for all can be seen,
Marvellous assistance of virtue it gave
In distress, ill health and in pain.

Refrain;

May there be peace and affection in our midst
By sincere endeavour to spread learnings light,
Nurturing sympathy and never to fail
So warm for the good of us all.

Refrain;

In spite of atrocities in ages long past
No foe was successful in destroyng our tonque,
In spite of the killing of Llywellyn our helm
The perfect old language still lives.

Refrain;