The renowned Welsh anthem, Yma O Hyd, stands as a testament to the unwavering resilience and determination of Welsh speakers, making it a cherished symbol of strength and identity for the community. Yma o Hyd was written by beloved Welsh folk singer, nationalist politician and television personality Dafydd Iwan. It was first released in 1983, during Iwan and folk band Ar Log’s Taith Macsen (“Macsen’s Journey”) tour.
Yma o Hyd stands as undeniably one of the most powerful and profoundly meaningful anthems for Welsh speakers. Its composition was set against a backdrop of considerable political turmoil, marked by the devolution of the Welsh government in 1979, the political ideologies of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the prevalent Libertarian economic policies of that era. Adding to this turbulent context, Iwan himself had just undergone a painful divorce and faced four arrests for his activism.
Iwan’s intent behind creating Yma o Hyd was to compose a song that could boost the moral of Welsh speakers. Through its lyrics, he skilfully draws parallels between the contemporary challenges faced by the Welsh people and historical threats that have persisted since the end of Roman rule.
Over the years, the anthem has left an indelible mark on Welsh culture and politics. It resonated deeply during the 1984-85 Miner’s Strike, being sung fervently on picket lines. Furthermore, its powerful influence inspired a revival of Welsh medium education and played a pivotal role in garnering support for the Welsh Language Act. Notably, it also contributed significantly to the widespread backing for the establishment of the National Assembly of Wales.
Yma is an adverb in Welsh that translates to “here” in English. In speech, it is often shortened to just ‘ma. “O hyd“, on the other hand, is one possible translation for “still“, in addition to dal, eto and byth. Put them together and you get “still here“. The chorus goes as follows:
Ry’n ni yma o hyd We are still here.
Ry’n ni yma o hyd We are still here.
Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth In spite of everyone and everything.
Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth In spite of everyone and everything.
Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth In spite of everyone and everything.
