Welsh Hymnographers

Categories: hymns

Date: 18 July 2007 09:45:02

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah is probably the best-known, and perhaps only in the English-speaking world [it was for me], hymn of William Williams (or William Pantycelyn), who was one of the major players in the Welsh Methodist Revival. Though I discovered, through my continued reading of the fascinating and illuminating A Private Language? - A Dip into Welsh Literature, that he is also known in Wales particularly for the two epic poems he wrote as well as others. I enjoyed, in translation (by Anthony Conran), 'Rwy'n edrych dros y bryniau pell:

I look across the distant hills,
Hour upon hour I wait;
The sun is almost set, my dear --
Come, for it groweth late.

Pull my heart's fondness, all compact,
From fickle things away
Unto the One whose faith is sure
For ever and ever for aye!

Under the blue sky nothing is
That love of life affords,
But satisfaction stays within
The house that is my Lord's.

A Private Language? - A Dip into Welsh Literature, Eames, 1997, p. 133

Ann Griffiths, who also joined the Methodist Revival, was also mentioned in the book. She is certainly a delightful poet and writer, employing all manner of imagery to help us ponder the wonder and mystery of Christ:

Pilgrim weary of the tempest
Lift thine eyes and see above
The Lamb become a mediator
In lovely ground-length garments clad,
A golden belt of faithfulness
Adorned with bells-a-ringing with
A song of pardon for the sinner
Achieved through his Immortal Love.

A Private Language? - A Dip into Welsh Literature, Eames, 1997, p. 136

She also employs a number of paradoxes such as "The Author of life is put to death and the Great Resurrection is buried." (p. 137)

This book continues to be an informative and delightful read.