Calon Lân is one of the most loved of all the popular Welsh
hymns from the golden age of Welsh Nonconformity. It has been
part of the singing repertoire of so many Welsh men and women,
whether or not they spoke their native tongue. It was often sung
at rugby internationals at Cardiff Arms Park and for a while was
popularly acclaimed as the unofficial second national anthem of
Wales. Sadly, with the demise of Welsh Nonconformity the hymn is
not so well known these days and it is rarely heard at the
Millennium Stadium! Daniel James 1848 -1920 Calon Lân was
written by the celebrated Welsh bard, Daniel James. He was born,
the second of five children, to Daniel and Mary James of
Llangyfelach Road, Treboeth, Swansea. Life for the James family
was very harsh, as it was for so many in the industrial and
mining communities of 19th century Wales. His early years were
centred around the home and Chapel, and the language of the
hearth was yr hen iaith - Welsh. He attended Mynyddbach Chapel,
which still stands, and it was