Huw Edwards reveals Wales' top ten hymns

Huw Edwards has revealed that Bro Aber is Wales' favourite hymn in a special episode of a religious television series.

Over 1,100 people voted for their top hymn after the Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol series launched an opinion poll in the summer.

The hymns in the top ten were performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes and a choir of 60 people from all over Wales.

The program was part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the series this year, and can be watched here.

Huw Edwards, the presenter of the program, said it was "good to see that a relatively modern hymn came to the fore".

"Everyone has their favorite hymn, and it is an impossible task to choose because we are able to list so many hymns that would be worthy of victory," he said.

The top ten hymns were chosen by the public were:

1. Bro Aber
2. In Memoriam
3. Gwahoddiad
4. Rhys
5. Arwelfa
6. Tydi a roddaist
7. Ellers
8. Coedmor
9. Dim ond Iesu a Sirioldeb
10. Bryn Myrddin

Hymn expert Delyth Morgans Phillips said that it was a "congregational hymn, one of the best of the second half of the twentieth century".

“It was a commissioned work for the 1983 Anglesey National Eisteddfod for the hymn competition.

"It's a powerful hymn, which elevates us and the tone and words fit perfectly."

Because two hymns came joint ninth, both were performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the choir.

During the program, a new competition to compose hymn words was also announced with a prize of £200.

The winner will be announced during the Gwyl Dewi Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol program when a competition to compose a hymn to the words will be launched.

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