James James

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James James (also known by the bardic name Iago ap Ieuan) (1833-1902) was a harpist and musician from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf. He composed the tune of the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau (also known as Land of my Fathers).

James James composed the melody which was later known as Hen Wlad fy Nhadau in January 1856. At first it was known as Glan Rhondda (=The banks of the Rhondda), and gave rise to the tradition that the tune had come to him as he walked on the bank of the River Rhondda. His father, Evan James, wrote the lyrics that eventually became the words of the Welsh national anthem.

A memorial to James James and his father, in the shape of two figures representing the muses of Poetry and Music, stands in Ynys Angharad Park, Pontypridd.

[edit] External links

• Hen wlad fy nhadau, the national anthem on the National Library of Wales website.
• James Memorial in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd from the Gathering the Jewels website.