Dafydd Iwan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dafydd Iwan
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| Born |
Dafydd Iwan Jones
24 August 1943 Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, Wales
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| Years active | Late 1960s–present |
| Known for | President of Plaid Cymru |
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Notable work
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"Yma o Hyd" (1983) |
| Relatives | Huw Ceredig (brother) Alun Ffred Jones (brother) |
Dafydd Iwan Jones (born August 24, 1943) is a famous Welsh singer and nationalist politician. He became well-known for writing and singing folk music in the Welsh language. From 2003 to 2010, Dafydd Iwan was the president of Plaid Cymru. This is a political party that works for Welsh independence from the UK.
Contents
Dafydd Iwan's Early Life
Dafydd Iwan Jones was born in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, Wales. He was one of four boys in his family. His brothers include the actor Huw Ceredig and the politician Alun Ffred Jones. His grandfather, Fred Jones, was a founding member of Plaid Cymru. Dafydd spent most of his childhood in Bala in Gwynedd. Later, he studied architecture at the University of Wales, Cardiff.
His Musical Journey
Dafydd Iwan started his music career by translating songs. He sang Welsh versions of songs by American folk singers. These included Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan. Soon, he began to write his own songs. Many of his early songs were about politics.
One famous political song was "Carlo" ("Charles"). This was a funny song written for the Prince of Wales's special ceremony in 1969. Dafydd Iwan also wrote love songs. He also created new versions of old Welsh folk tunes.
Music and Activism
By the late 1960s, Dafydd Iwan was on television. People saw him for his music and his political work. He was part of a group called Cymdeithas yr Iaith. In 1970, he was put in prison. This was because he refused to pay fines for painting over English road signs. This protest was part of the fight for Welsh-language rights. He served three weeks of a three-month sentence.
His song "Pam fod eira'n wyn?" ("Why is snow white?") was about this event. Another song, "Peintio'r byd yn wyrdd" ("Painting the World Green"), became a protest song. It was like a "battle hymn" for the road signs campaign.
During the 1970s, his songs covered many political topics. These included events in Chile, Welsh devolution, and the Vietnam War. Later songs mentioned the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. He also sang about the Gulf War in 1990. In 1995, he wrote about opencast mining in south Wales. In 1982 and 1983, he toured and made records with the folk group Ar Log. Around the year 2000, he started performing less often. However, he still performs sometimes.
The Song "Yma o Hyd"
"Yma O Hyd" means "Still Here." Dafydd Iwan released this song in 1981. He wanted to "raise spirits" and remind people that Welsh was "still spoken against all odds." Since then, the song has become a special Welsh anthem. It is also a popular song for the Wales national football team.
In January 2020, the song became number one on the UK iTunes chart. This happened because supporters of the Welsh independence group YesCymru bought it. Dafydd Iwan also sang "Yma o Hyd" live before Wales's last two games. These games helped Wales qualify for the FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time since 1958. Gareth Bale, the Welsh captain, and the team sang along with Dafydd Iwan. This performance made the song number one on the UK iTunes chart again.
Dafydd Iwan's Public Life
In 1971, Dafydd Iwan used his architecture skills to help start a housing association. It was called Cymdeithas Tai Gwynedd. He worked on projects to help local people in north-west Wales find homes.
Dafydd Iwan also helped start Recordiau Sain Cyf (Sain Records Ltd). This is one of the main Welsh music companies. He was a councillor for Plaid Cymru in Gwynedd. He lost his seat in the May 2008 local elections.
Dafydd Iwan has worked for the Welsh language for a long time. In 1971, he became an honorary member of the Gorsedd of Bards. This happened at the National Eisteddfod in Bangor. In October 2003, he avoided a driving ban for speeding. This was because he needed to drive for his music and political duties.
Dafydd Iwan became President of Plaid Cymru in 2003. In July 2008, he started a blog called Dafydd 4 President. This was part of his campaign to be re-elected as president. On October 22, 2011, Dafydd and his wife Bethan watched a football game. It was between Wrexham A.F.C. and Newport County A.F.C.. Dafydd sang "Yma O Hyd" to a crowd of 4,000 people. He was invited by the Wrexham FC Supporters Group, who named their group "Yma O Hyd." In July 2023, Dafydd Iwan received an honorary degree from Bangor University. This was for his "contribution to Welsh Culture, Language, Music and the Arts."
Albums
- Yma Mae 'Nghân (1972) (Here's My Song)
- Mae'r Darnau yn Disgyn i'w Lle (1976) (The Pieces Fall into Place)
- Carlo a Chaneuon Eraill (1977) (Carlo and Other Songs)
- 20 o Ganeuon Gorau (20 best songs)
- I'r Gad (1977) (To The War)
- Bod yn Rhydd (1979) (Being Free)
- Ar Dan (Live) (1981)
- Rhwng Hwyl a Thaith (with Ar Log) (1982) (Between Fun and Tour)
- Yma o Hyd (With Ar Log) (1983) (Still Here)
- Gwinllan a Roddwyd (1986) (Donated Vineyard)
- Dal I Gredu (1991) (Still Believe)
- Caneuon Gwerin (1994) (Folk Songs)
- Cân Celt (1995) (Celt Song)
- Y Caneuon Cynnar (1998) (Early Songs)
- Yn Fyw Cyfrol 1 (2001) (Live Volume 1)
- Yn Fyw Cyfrol 2 (2002) (Live Volume 2)
- Goreuon Dafydd Iwan (2006) (Best of Dafydd Iwan)
- Man Gwyn (White Space) (song about the early Welsh emigration to Patagonia and North America) (2007)
- Dos I ganu (2009) (Go To Sing)
- Cana Dy Gân (2012) (Sing Your Song) (complete 212 song collection)
- Emynau (2015) (Hymns)
- Ugain O'r Galon (2018) (From the Heart)
