Bells of Rhymney

Bells of Rhymney
Oh what will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.
Is there hope for the future?
Cry the brown bells of Merthyr.
Who made the mine owner?
Say the black bells of Rhondda.
And who robbed the miner?
Cry the grim bells of Blaina.

They will plunder will-nilly,
Cry the bells of Caerphilly.
They have fangs, they have teeth,
Shout the loud bells of Neath.
Even God is uneasy,
Say the moist bells of Swansea.
And what will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney.

Throw the vandals in court,
Say the bells of Newport.
All will be well if, if, if,
Cry the green bells of Cardiff.
Why so worried, sisters why?
Sang the silver bells of Wye.
And what will you give me?
Say the sad bells of Rhymney?

Words from "Gwalia Deserta" by Idris Davies
Music by Pete Seeger
© 1959 & 1964 Ludlow Music, Inc.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• pete
• seeger
• drawing
• photoshop

[cariad456]

Thank God for Idris Davies who wrote the poem "The Bells of Rhymney" and for Seeger for finding it in a book on welsh poetry and recording it!

[notmytruname]

This is really cool. What a great idea.

[BMPforever]

The words are about the great miners strike, and hence all the welsh place-names, which were the location of collieries and industry. I live 5 miles from Rhymney. The bells of Rhymney is part of a larger work called Gwalia Deserta.

[joanbaygirl]

I heard Pete Seeger sing this in concert in Cental Park in New York City back around 1970 or so. The most amazing aspect of it, which you cannot hear on this posting, was the overpowering and resounding sound of his 12-string guitar.

I also had the good fortune once to speak with Mr. Seeger via a telephone call for a half hour. Quite an experience and quite an amazing man.

[greenmatrix151023387]

peter seeger recently turned 90 years old

happy dilated birthday, peter seeger

[greenmatrix151023387]

yeah u right

this is actually reak7835

but i had to chance my name so...

[doofus0123]

yes - I've heard the same, that they're all places in Wales. I've also heard this was a poem written by Idris Davies back in 1926, and Pete Seeger set those words to music. and the rest is awesomeness.

[reak7835]

i used to listen to pete seeger on cassette tapes back when was younger... peter seeger had some of the best songs ever...

my father told me that all of the places he's singing about in this song...are all places in Wales

thank you peter seeger! you were they soundtrack of my early childhood!

[1974ccliff]

amazing!

[jbearden]

God bless Pete Seeger!