UNIQUE GOODBYE
Singer’s own voice filled his funeral service
THE longest serving member of one of Wales’s oldest choirs sang his favourite song — at his own funeral.
Retired quarry worker Twm Morgan sang with Bethesdabased Côr y Penrhyn for 64 years until his recent death aged 81.
At his widow Vera’s request, a recording of Twm performing the solo part in the Battle Hymn of the Republic was played at his funeral at Bangor Crematorium last week.
His daughter Nerys said: “My dad would have walked over hot coals to perform with the choir. He never missed a practice or a concert. He lived and breathed that choir.
“My mum requested the song be played at the funeral as she wanted to hear his voice one last time, but we never expected so many members of the choir would be there to sing it too.”
Twm sang in the choir’s bass section and was a soloist for many years. He was elected honorary president in 2001.
He had followed the footsteps of his father, Emrys, in joining the choir, which was formed in 1893 at Penrhyn slate quarry in Bethesda.
Choir chairman Alun Davies said: “We were all very sad, because he was such an important part of the choir. He was a quiet man, quite a reserved man, he wasn’t one to stand up and take the attention, but he was always pulling your leg, he was always there with a comment.
“He loved the camaraderie in the choir. It was a huge part of his life and he will be greatly missed.”
The choir performed another of Twm’s favourite songs, Bendigedig, as his coffin was carried into the crematorium.
Twm leaves his wife, three children — Gwyn, 56, Dylan, 53, and Nerys, 43 — and five grandchildren.
Gwilym Owen, 76, is now the choir’s longest serving member. He joined in 1960 and stood next to Twm in the bass section.
He said: “He was a very good soloist and he had a lovely baritone voice. I’ll miss his banter.”
Musical director Owain Arwel Davies said: “His personality and his dedication to the choir meant such a lot. He was an inspiration for the younger boys, even the young lads of 17 who have just joined, they wanted to go to sing at his funeral.”
Among his performances with the choir he sang at the Royal AlbertHall in London, and toured with the choir to Germany and Canada.