Fans show why we’re the land of song
IT’S been a difficult week for sports fans here in Wales particularly for those hoping that Cymru would win their Euro 2024 play-off final game against Poland on Tuesday night and qualify for the European Championships in Germany this summer.
As I parked my car on Bessemer Road near the stadium and headed off for some food I was full of optimism, convinced that this was going to be our night. Sadly it wasn’t to be but they came so close in a game that ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and an extra 30 minutes of extra time, which meant the dreaded penalty shoot out.
Poland went first, then Wales, each player confidently, striking the ball home – Robert Lewandowski then Ben Davies; Sebastian Szymanski followed by Kieffer Moore; Przemyslaw
Frankowski and Harry Wilson; Nicola Zalewski then Neco Williams. Tied at 4-4 it was effectively already sudden death – Ymlaen Cymru! Krzysztof Piatek – no, 5-4 Poland, come on Daniel James . . . No !!!!! The keeper saved it!
Despite the obvious disappointment of the Wales fans, their singing got even louder and more passionate as fans showed their appreciation to this young Wales who have so much potential.
In fact if the result had been based on the passion and singing of the home fans then Wales would have been guaranteed a spot in the Euros.
I lost count of the number of spontaneous outbursts of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau there were, along with Men of Harlech and Calon Lan.
That was the second occasion in as many weeks that I had experienced that beautiful Welsh song in an unexpected situation.
Around a fortnight ago as I ate my tea I had a message asking if I could go to Mecca Bingo on Carmarthen Road to call a charity flyer at a fundraising event for the Swansea Branch of the National Autistic Society, NAS Swansea.
My good friend Mal was going along to sing a couple of songs so I changed and headed to Mecca Bingo.
Mal went on first and after his first song he asked me to join him on stage to sing a song that everyone would know, Calon Lân.
Calon Lân is a hymn which is greatly loved by all us here in Wales and regarded as one of the great anthems of Wales.
It does have an English translation but I’ve only ever heard it sung in Welsh, well even non-welsh speakers know the words.
I wonder if Daniel James (not that Daniel James) had realised that the hymn that he wrote to be sung in the chapels of Wales would be sung at all major sporting occasions and two Old Dynevor Boys at the Bingo!
Well, considering that the song was written on the back of a cigarette packet I don’t think that he would have minded!
Daniel James was born in Treboeth and attended Mynyddbach Chapel.
He was a regular at the King’s Head pub, but it was in 1891 that he composed the words of Calon Lân, allegedly on the back of a cigarette packet while living in Blaengarw.
I wonder how many fans there on Tuesday evening realised what they were singing when they started off Nid wy’n gofyn bywyd moethus,
(I don’t ask for a luxurious life,_
Aur y byd na’i berlau mân:
(the world’s gold or its fine pearls,) Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
(I ask for a happy heart,)
Calon onest, calon lân.
(an honest heart, a pure heart)
What was so special was that 30,000 Cymru fans joined in immediately.
No one asked where you were from or which club you supported as in unison supporters old and young, from all quarters of Wales stood together for our national side. Together. Stronger. And come September 6 those fans will all be back at the Cardiff City Stadium to support our national team Cymru in their Nations League game against Turkey!
Happy Easter everyone!