Princess Diana's Funeral Part 19: Derry Air and Cwm Rhondda

The Archbishop finishes the Prayers and the choir sings 'An Air from County Derry':

I would be true, for there are those that trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those that care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving, and forget the gift,
I would be humble, for I know my weakness,
I would look up, laugh, love and live.

The Archbishop led the recitation of The Lord's Prayer.

After The Lord's Prayer, The Archbishop said The Blessing.

There then followed the most beautiful piece of music, in my opinion, of the whole service: the de facto National Anthem of Wales, Cwm Rhondda, with words of the hymn 'Guide Me, O Great Redeemer':

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand:
bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fiery cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through:
strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side:
songs and praises
I will ever give to thee.

The hymn was chosen as a tribute to Diana as Princess of Wales as was the choice of Welsh soldiers as pall bearers. The BBC appropriately chose to close up on people outside with Welsh flags.

In the last verse came the indication that the most emotional part of any funeral service was about to happen...

When I first saw this in 1997 as it was happening, both myself and my mum took as cue to let it all go in terms of tears:'-(

The Dean of the Abbey and the Verger walk on and bow to the Cross while the Welsh Guards position themselves ready to take Diana's coffin away.

Category:

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Tags:

• Diana
• Princess
• of
• Wales
• Funeral
• 1997
• BBC
• Death
• London
• Prince
• William
• Ireland
• hymns
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• Lords
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• Cwm
• Rhonnda
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• Guards

[braceface384]

If this is a protesent hymn then why is it called 'Derry air' and Derry is in Éire!

[tribecatom]

Well Derry is in the Protestant part of Éire!

The person was referring to the Welsh hymn at the end of the clip.

Incidently, I was at a Catholic mass at Christmas and saw that Cwm Rhondda was hymn nine hundred and something in the Catholic hymnary.

[braceface384]

Not really it is in the Part of Ireland ruled by the queen of England! Not all lof them are Protestant. Yes Cwm Rhondda is played at our Catholic mass but a verse we sing in Latin and Irish Gaelic.

[tribecatom]

Point taken but arguably it's ruled by Dr. No with Martin McGuinness as his sidekick now. The Queen barely gets a look in.

I know a man who used to drive Diana whenever she visited the North of Ireland btw.

[GlasgowCeltic88]

'Dr. No'...LOVE IT!!!!

He's NO longer in power, having steped down last month!

GOOD riddence to him, in my opinion!

GC88

[tribecatom]

Are you talking about Ian Paisley? I haven't noticed him in the footage if you are.

[Edenrayne73]

I couldn't agree more! I love this hymn!

[TheDriverr]

The ferocious emotional power of that amazing hymn haunts me everytime I hear it. When you hear that last verse you cannot fail to feel an almighty spirit uplift you and trasnport your soul to a very special place. RIP Diana..

[3tangle3]

We should abolish the monarchy for their treatment of Diana......remember the buggers all go back as far back as the hanoverian lot........thank god we have the vote thats all i can say

[march131958]

God rest her soul. What a beautiful hymn for a beautiful person...

[jonsabine29]

@iabud23 ascends, surely?

[jonsabine29]

R.I.P Tom Fleming

[TrueImage66]

Thank you. x

[mtheadedwally]

Amazing the power that the Lords' Prayer has really. I used to be a regular chuchgoer as a child and never really understood the significance of the words. But watch everyone here - they all know it. Incredible.

[beaulahHadassah]

great songs for me and my favourites

[dacatholicbandorgan]

For a short time, the whole Country was singing this hymm.

[eblanaken]

Shoulda had Max Boyce roar this hymn out. A rabbid Welchman but true Brit.

[Justozz50]

Feed me til i cant no more....please!