“Yma o Hyd” was written by Dafydd Iwan, a Welsh-language folk singer from Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, in 1982. During this time, Iwan was feeling sad about Wales, particularly about a 1979 referendum that maintained British rule over Wales instead of forming their own Welsh parliament. 80% of voters voted to keep the status quo of remaining under Britain’s parliament.
Iwan was a devout nationalist. He served a brief term in
prison for defacing English road signs. He later became the president of Plaid
Cymru, which is the Welsh nationalist party that fights for independence from
Britain, between 2003 and 2010.
Throughout history, Welsh independence has been a common
theme. In 1282, Edward I defeated Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf during the Battle of
Cilmeri, and since then, the Welsh have fought hard for independence and the
right to govern themselves. The Welsh officially became a part of England in
the 16th century. Even though English became the official language
at this time, over 90% of people in Wales only spoke Welsh until the Industrial
Revolution.
When writing “Yma o Hyd,” Iwan wanted a song to raise the
morale of the country, saying that no matter what, they will continue to speak
Welsh to remind the world that they were still there. The song title translates
in English to “Still Here.”
The song begins by mentioning the Romans leaving Wales in
383 AD thanks to Roman emperor Magnus Maximus withdrawing his troops to Gaul. While
this is a myth, it is considered the start of modern Wales.
The song ends with Margaret Thatcher bringing in an era that
Iwan deemed as a “threat to Welshness.” In 1983, Thatcher led the Conservative
Party in their most successful election up to that point. By 1984, there was a miners’
strike happening and by 1986, fewer than 40% of Welsh households were led by someone
working full-time.
The song has become an anthem for Welsh
nationalists. There was a group that successfully pushed “Yma o Hyd” to number
one on the charts. The song has inspired a movement to protect and preserve the
Welsh language and to keep it alive for future generations.
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