Wales needs less 'Yma o Hyd' and more of a focus on shaping our future

Is it necessary that a nation is independent in order that it may justify its continued traditions? There's a question! Is promoting our histories, so that we may retain our unique culture, futile unless we promote political autonomy above all? There's another. The unnerving dilemma for us in Wales is that nationalism and patriotism pull many of us in opposite directions. The patriotism of songs like Yma o Hyd and Hen Wlad fy Nhadau doesn't, in these ambiguous times, equate unequivocally, with the desire for an independent Wales. It does, though, celebrate the struggle of our predecessors, and many now, to nurture the language and the culture (for one cannot thrive without the other), even through the hardest of times, for the sake only of their inherent value. Not all of the people doing that desired, or desire, an independent Wales; not all are, or were, Welsh, even. To paraphrase a great Welsh writer, Gwyn Thomas (of Porth, not Tanygrisiau) : Wales has always expressed itself eloquently through the British Government, no need to tear it apart. We live on a tiny orb, a piece of clinker that is fast running out of the last of its wealth... we've got to huddle together

"If we look to the national motto of France, we see the famous words “Liberté, égalité, fraternité,” or “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” It’s a powerful motto, a phrase that tries to encapsulate what it means to be French, that expounds in three simple words the values of their nation. " Pull the other one. That is a motto and nothing more. France is a former colonial power, like AngloUK, that still carries on much of its foreign policy in a neo-colonial style. Military activity in francophone West Africa is not for the good of those countries, it is there to protect or possibly promote French business and political influence. Much of the French Empire ( other than North America) was created after the " L,E,F " slogan was promulgated which is of itself ironic. More like the French version of John Bull or God Save the Queen than a sincere expression of an underlying value system !.

Looking forward, whilst respecting traditions, is the message I take from Joshua's article, and I couldn't agree more. In terms of what Wales was historically and is now, especially in the development of industry and technology, its languages and cultures are so much more, and more diverse, than they used to be, and we should be proud of the contributions brought to Wales, and celebrate them.

When I first moved to Wales just over fifty-five years ago, I arrived with the some of the baggage associated with (a) being nineteen and (b) being English. Not, of course, that I realized it at the time! And I'd been in Wales for nearly a decade before a conversation with an eloquent and passionate Cymry Cymreig Swansea University postgraduate student from Cardigan town jolted me into the abrupt realization that actually I had no real idea what the lived experience of being Welsh in contemporary Wales was like for someone who was both Welsh and a first language Welsh speaker. I can accept that Mr McCarthy has entirely genuine good intentions. But he's perhaps not perfectly placed to hammer home his sense of what is and what ought to be in Wales; Welsh folk have had rather a lot of that over the years. In the early '70s I discovered that was a lesson I needed to learn, and I've never forgotten it.

Dwg Forgannwg a Gwynedd, Gwna'n un o Gonwy i Nedd; O digiä Lloegr a'i dugaid, Cymry a dry yn dy raid.

This disappointing view misses the point. The point of Wales is to be part of a nation of several - perhaps an infinite number - of identities bound by a spirit of tolerance and respect. 'Yma o hyd' sings of the success of a culture of harmony and peace hanging on in there despite a powerful dominant neighbour systematically seeking to eliminate it. It is a rejection of power and dominance in favour of a peace loving culture of song and acceptance. Nobody is obliged to live their lives through Welsh but they have the right and the structural means to do so, should they so wish. It is by no means a backward looking philosophy, quite the opposite.

Surely Wales needs to look both backwards and forwards. Looking back to own the historical and cultural context of the steady loss of identity, and looking forward to work to create a new future. There are too many who wear a Welshness of convenience and bring it out only on major sporting occasions or perhaps St David's Day.

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." George Orwell

Good to hear a different tune. I couldn't get excited by the news that Yma O Hyd was No.1 in the charts considering the national profile of the charts is so low compared to thirty, forty or fifty years ago. As for relevance, most national anthems are either historical or sentimental dross, some manage to be both. The important part is the quality of the tune. Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and Jerusalem cross the threshold; many others dont. Just watch the Olympics for proof.

Totally agree 100% with Joshua's excellent analysis of the nationalist acceptance of Dafydd Iwan's song 'Yma o Hyd' as a new nationalist anthem, I myself have always considered that particular song to be, both, delusional and misleading and would consider another of his songs 'Cerddwn Ymlaen' to be more appropriate as an anthem for our continuing cause towards Independence; after all, that is what Independence movements such as Yes Cymru are doing isn't it, 'parading on towards Independence'? But myself, following Dafydd Iwan's blatant treachery to our cause last year in meeting with and shaking the hands of Charles Windsor, I will most certainly never purchase any song of his in future or attend any concert that he may be a participant of.

Agree with the article... rhan fwyaf. Welsh indy movement. It was like when the Hobbits meet Ents and they spend days agreeing to talk. That's not who I am. You gonna do something or write poetry? Bye

"Wales needs less ‘Yma o Hyd’ and more of a focus on shaping our future" - So petulent. Surely Wales can have both - this eithor or business is so silly

“ Plaid is a Ifanc Activist” big typo here I suggest listening to the Dafydd Iwan song “Cerddwn ymlaen” - we walk on

I don't think that developing a hunger for an independent Cymru depends on song lyrics. Flower of Scotland is practically all about the distant past and singing it doesn't seem to have harmed the Scottish independence movement. National songs are usually bombastic, jingoistic and self-aggrandizing. Neither Yma o Hyd or HWFN are whereas our near neighbours have a few that tick all those boxes. Someone the other day was banging on that Y Ddraig Goch should be replaced by a Tricolor. Apparently this would give Cymru a modern image and so promote the call for independence. Presumably when the songs and flags have been attended to we'll be independent and those concerned can then get onto designing new uniforms for our traffic wardens.