When I was strong armed into giving a short talk today, by David John, I didn’t realise at the time just how foolhardy it was, as I can’t pronounce any of the Welsh words!

Be that as it may, as an English imposter, I am delighted to talk to you today, being a great, if not somewhat begrudging, admirer of the Welsh.

My grandfather always used to say, in all things there are those who can and those who can’t. The role of those who can’t isn’t to moan or envy, rather to appreciate the talents of those that can. Throughout my childhood I appreciated the talents of the Welsh rugby team, (less so now) and throughout my life I have appreciated all those who can sing. My own singing ambitions were dashed at the age of 15 when I was instructed to mime in our House Unison Competition as my enthusiasm during a recital of Champagne Charlie was putting off the other 100 boys.

So as we celebrate St David’s Day today, it is only right that we acknowledge the link between St David, the patron saint of Wales, and singing. It is rooted in both early Christian legends and modern Welsh cultural identity, which celebrates him through a number of musical traditions.

According to legend, St David is said to have possessed a remarkably soothing and beautiful singing voice. During a crucial sermon at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, (Clan the wee Brevi) it is said that the ground rose beneath him to form a hill so he could be heard, and a white dove landed on his shoulder—a scene often depicted as a moment of divine vocal inspiration (as is apparent in some of the pictures revolving on the screen).

Today, St David’s Day is marked by nationwide celebrations in Wales, which prominently feature the singing of traditional Welsh hymns, as we are doing here, folk songs, and the national anthem. In fact, St David’s Day is synonymous with concerts, festivals, and Eisteddfodau (eye-steth-VOD-eye) (cultural festivals of literature, music, and performance) that highlight Wales’ reputation as the “Land of Song”.

So what do we know about St David himself? I knew precious little so did a little research.

He established many religious communities and gives his name to the smallest city in Britain, St Davids which has only about 1,600 inhabitants but a wonderful Cathedral (which we see in one of the revolving pictures).

Much of what we “know” is based on the Latin writings of Rhygyfarch some 500 years after St David lived.

His birthday is a mystery, apparently foretold to St Patrick, 30 years before it happened – it is believed to be sometime between 462 and 515 AD. Some say he lived more than 100 years and died on 1 March 589 – hence St David’s Day.

According to legend, his mother, Non, gave birth to him on a cliff-top in Pembrokeshire during a fierce storm. At that exact moment, a bolt of lightning from heaven is said to have struck the rock, splitting it in two. The spot of David’s birth is marked by the ruins of Non’s Chapel and its holy well is said to have healing powers.

His family was aristocratic. The official biography claims his father was Sant, the Prince of Powys, and his grandfather King Ceredig. Non, his mother, became a nun and later canonised herself.

He was known as DOW-ee not David, which is the English translation. Also to the locals as Dewi Ddyfrwr (Dowee THUV roor) the water drinker, due to his strict vegetarian lifestyle, existing apparently on leeks and water.

Dewi was a renowned preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Brittany and south-west England. He visited Glastonbury to rededicate the abbey and donated a travelling altar that included a great sapphire – which was stolen 1,000 years later. He also reputedly brought back a rock from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. That stone now sits in an altar at St David’s Cathedral, built on the site of his original monastery.

In keeping with the great Saints, he has 3 miracles to his name. As well as the ground rising up beneath his feet, he is said to have cured his tutor of blindness with the sign of the cross and brought a dead boy back to life by splashing the child’s face with tears.

St David has been the patron saint of Wales since the 12th Century, at a time when there were more than 60 churches in Wales dedicated to him. His shrine was so important that Pope Callistus II said two pilgrimages to St David’s were worth one to the Vatican.

And finally, my favourite thing I learnt about him was what he said to his followers in his last sermon; “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.”

The phrase G’NOW EH BE TIE BE HINE “Do the little things” – is still well-known in Wales and encourages us all to perform small, kind, and considerate acts of kindness that hold great value in daily life and in supporting others. And for those of you who are up to speed with Church Family News mirrors our 40 Acts Lent initiative.

So it is fitting that I end on such a wonderful challenge, for us to “be faithful, keep the faith and G’NOW EH BE TIE BE HINE”.

Our final hymn tune is arguably the best. Blaenwern (Bline Wern) was composed by William Penfro Rowlands , during the Welsh revival of 1904–1905.

The tune is named after Blaenwern Farm near Tufton, Pembrokeshire, where Rowlands sent his son to stay with friends of the family to convalesce as it was thought the fresh air would assist his recovery: he named the tune in honour of them.

In the United Kingdom Blaenwern has come to be used as the prevalent setting for the hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, which we will sing shortly but also in other settings including the Welsh Calon Lân by Daniel James. It also became familiar to a wider audience through the Billy Graham crusades when it was used as a setting to What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

As a setting for Love Divine it is a popular choice at English weddings and funerals and was voted as one of Britain’s ten favourite hymns in October 2005. It was sung at the wedding blessing of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, at the funeral of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher in 2013, and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.