Welsh National Anthem Lyrics – Translation and Phonetic Guide

Few songs carry the weight of a nation like “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau,” the de facto national anthem of Wales. Known in English as “Land of My Fathers,” the anthem has been sung at rugby matches, cultural festivals, and international events since the mid-19th century. Its lyrics, written in Welsh, reflect a deep connection to the land, language, and identity of Wales. For a deeper look at the full lyrics and translations, see the Welsh National Anthem: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau guide.

The anthem was composed in 1856 by a father-and-son team from Pontypridd, Glamorgan: Evan James wrote the words and James James set them to music. It was first performed publicly later that year at the Llangollen Eisteddfod. Today, only the first verse and chorus are typically sung at events, but the full poem contains three verses that expand on themes of patriotism, natural beauty, and cultural resilience.

For non-Welsh speakers, the spelling and pronunciation can seem challenging. Welsh orthography differs markedly from English, with letters such as “f” pronounced as “v” and “dd” as “th.” This article provides the complete lyrics in Welsh and English, a phonetic breakdown of the first verse and chorus, and context on the anthem’s meaning and most famous performances.

What are the Welsh and English lyrics to the national anthem?

The standard version of the anthem sung at matches and ceremonies consists of the first verse followed by the chorus. Below is a quick-reference overview, followed by the full Welsh text with standard English translations.

Key insights about the anthem

• The Welsh national anthem is one of the few national anthems written in a minority language that is still regularly sung in its original form at major events.
• Phonetic guides are in high demand because Welsh spelling differs significantly from English; simple transliteration can mislead pronunciation (e.g., “f” is pronounced “v”).
• The Rhos Male Voice Choir version is especially popular among rugby fans due to its powerful arrangement and emotional delivery.
• Many searches for “lyrics made easy” reflect the need for non-Welsh speakers to learn the anthem quickly before attending matches or cultural events.
• The anthem was first used at a rugby match in 1905, when Wales played New Zealand, and has been a fixture at the Principality Stadium ever since.

Snapshot: Welsh National Anthem Lyrics — First Verse and Chorus

How do you pronounce Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau?

Welsh pronunciation follows consistent rules, but those rules differ from English. The phrase “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” itself offers a good example: “f” is pronounced as “v,” and “nh” indicates a voiceless nasal. The phonetic guide above gives an approximate reading for English speakers.

Chorus pronunciation breakdown

The chorus is the most frequently sung part of the anthem. Here is a line-by-line guide based on standard Welsh phonetics:

• Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad — GWLAD, GWLAD, PLAY-dee-oyl wiv eem gwlahd
• Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau — Tra more un veer ir beer hofe buy
• O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau — o BIH-thed ir hen-yith bar-huy

Tips for learners

The most common difficulty for English speakers is the rolled “r” and the vowel sounds. The “u” in Welsh is pronounced like the “i” in “bin,” not like the “u” in “cup.” The “dd” is a soft “th” as in “the.” Listening to recordings while following the phonetic text can help build confidence.

What are the lyrics as sung by the Rhos Male Voice Choir?

The Rhos Male Voice Choir, also known as the Rhosllannerchrugog Male Voice Choir, is one of Wales’s most renowned choral groups. Their performances of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” have introduced the anthem to a global audience, especially through recordings and appearances at rugby events.

Does the choir use different lyrics?

The Rhos Male Voice Choir performs the standard lyrics of the anthem. No alternative words are used. However, their arrangement may repeat certain lines — particularly the chorus — for musical emphasis, and the tempo and dynamics of their rendition give the song a distinctive, stirring character. The text itself remains identical to the version found on Wales.com and other official sources.

What is the meaning and history behind the Welsh national anthem?

The lyrics of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” were written by Evan James in January 1856, with music composed by his son, James James. The earliest manuscript is held by the National Library of Wales. The anthem’s themes reflect 19th-century Welsh nationalism: it honours poets and warriors, celebrates the natural landscape, and pleads for the survival of the Welsh language.

Core themes in the lyrics

• Patriotism and history — The first verse honours poets (beirdd), singers, warriors, and patriots who died for freedom.
• Natural beauty — Verse 2 describes mountains, valleys, cliffs, streams, and rivers as a “bard’s paradise.”
• Language preservation — The chorus plea “O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau” (“May the old language endure”) is a central message of cultural resilience.
• Defiance — Verse 3 asserts that enemies cannot suppress Welsh culture, poetry (awen), or music (the harp).

When did Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau first become the national anthem?

Although “God Save the King” was the official anthem for Wales in official settings for many years, “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” gradually became the de facto anthem through its use at sporting and cultural events. The timeline below marks the key milestones.

1. 1856 — Evan James writes the lyrics; James James composes the melody. First performed by Elizabeth John at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.
2. 1858 — Published in a collection of Welsh songs and quickly gained popularity across Wales.
3. 1905 — First official use at a rugby match (Wales vs. New Zealand), establishing the tradition of singing the anthem before games.
4. 2022–2025 — Continued use at sporting events (Six Nations, football) and cultural celebrations; search interest for phonetic lyrics surges before tournaments.

What is confirmed about the anthem and what remains unclear?

While the core facts of the anthem are well established, some details are less certain. The table below distinguishes between what is known and what remains open to interpretation.

What does the Welsh national anthem represent?

The anthem’s lyrics reflect 19th-century Welsh nationalism, referencing poets, warriors, and freedom — themes that resonate strongly during modern sports events. The popularity of phonetic searches highlights a gap between cultural pride and language barriers, especially among the Welsh diaspora and non-Welsh-speaking fans.

The rise of choral performances, particularly by groups like the Rhos Male Voice Choir, on streaming platforms has introduced the anthem to a global audience. This has driven demand for accurate lyrics and translations, as well as practical learning aids such as phonetic guides and line-by-line breakdowns.

Which sources provide the most reliable lyrics and translations?

For the full Welsh lyrics, the official Wales.com site is the most authoritative source. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive history with references. Classic FM and Classical Music offer articles that include lyrics, translation, and context.

“The song was first performed in 1856 at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.”

Classic FM, May 2025

“Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, translating to ‘Land of My Fathers’ or ‘Old Land of My Fathers’, is the de facto national anthem of Wales. It became a tradition at rugby matches around 1905.”

Wikipedia

“The land of my fathers is dear unto me, Old land where the minstrels are honored and free.”

Wales.com (standard English translation)

What should you remember about the Welsh national anthem?

“Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” is a song of cultural pride, language preservation, and national identity. Its lyrics, written in Welsh, are sung at major events by audiences that include both fluent speakers and those who rely on phonetic guides. The anthem’s core message — that the old language and traditions should endure — remains as relevant today as it was in 1856. For a deeper look at the full lyrics and translations, see the Welsh National Anthem: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau guide.

Frequently Asked Questions