Poems from the Soul: Twelve of the Great Hymns of Wales

Even as many in the modern world draw away from organised religion, the great hymns of our time persist: we turn to them at weddings and funerals, at rugby matches and in pubs. Bringing together twelve of Wales’s best-loved hymns, from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, Poems from the Soul reveals the heart and soul of a people’s poetry. These are the poems of ordinary folk – blacksmiths, farmers and preachers – and they played a vital role in the creation of the Welsh people. Ranging from the visionary intensity of Ann Griffiths to the striking biblical imagery of Wales’s unofficial national anthem, ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer’, in every hymn a single, singular voice sings out, loud and strong with fear, hope, ecstasy or anxiety. With original illustrations by Ruth Jên Evans throughout, this collection offers insights into the making of a modern nation and demonstrates the transformative power of voices raised in song. An exploration of Wales’s deep connections to music through one specific style: the hymn.

Even as many in the modern world draw away from organized religion, the great hymns of our time persist: we turn to them at weddings and funerals, at rugby matches, and in pubs.
 
Bringing together twelve of Wales’s best-loved hymns from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, Poems from the Soul reveals the heart and soul of a people’s poetry. These are the poems of ordinary folk—blacksmiths, farmers, and preachers—and they played a vital role in the creation of the Welsh people. Ranging from the visionary intensity of Ann Griffiths to the striking biblical imagery of Wales’s unofficial national anthem “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer,” in every hymn a single, singular voice sings out, loud and strong with fear, hope, ecstasy, or anxiety.
 
With original illustrations by Ruth Jên Evans throughout, this collection offers insights into the making of a modern nation and demonstrates the transformative power of voices raised in song.

• | Author: M. Wynn Thomas
• | Publisher: University of Wales Press
• | Publication Date: Feb 29, 2024
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9781837600113
• | ISBN-10: 1837600112