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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: sian, west wales Date: 03 Apr 23 - 04:09 PM The National Library of Wales is marking the 70th anniversary of Idris Davies' death on its blog which might be of interest. sww |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Joe Offer Date: 24 Mar 15 - 05:32 PM Thank you kindly, Freddy. Sounds like Seeger's recording is quite accurate, except for his tendency to switch the verbs around (say, sing, cry, etc). -Joe- |
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Subject: ADD: Bells of Rhymney (poem by Idris Davies) From: FreddyHeadey Date: 24 Mar 15 - 05:22 PM Safest I could find: from a comment in the southwalesargus.co.uk(they should know??) Gwalia Deserta XV Bells of Rhymney (poem by Idris Davies) O what can you give me? Say the sad bells of Rhymney. Is there hope for the future? Cry the brown bells of Merthyr. Who made the mineowner? Say the black bells of Rhondda. And who robbed the miner? Cry the grim bells of Blaina. They will plunder willy-nilly, Say the bells of Caerphilly. They have fangs, they have teeth Shout the loud bells of Neath. To the south, things are sullen, Say the pink bells of Brecon. Even God is uneasy, Say the moist bells of Swansea. Put the vandals in court Cry the bells of Newport. All would be well if — if — if — Say the green bells of Cardiff. Why so worried, sisters, why Sing the silver bells of Wye. And that seems to match this YT of Idris Davies reciting it www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMXfpbFccg One from the words in the book On the Air with Dylan Thomas: The Broadcasts So the main difference from the poem seems to be missing out of To the south, things are sullen, Say the pink bells of Brecon. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Joe Offer Date: 24 Mar 15 - 03:47 PM Could somebody post the text of the original Idris Davies poem? I can't find it anywhere. I have listened to several Seeger recordings. He sang it different each time, so who knows what lyrics are correct? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Eldergirl Date: 09 Jan 14 - 09:23 AM Nice to discover this thread, bringing back memories. First version I heard was the Byrds', pronouncing it wrong of course, but I knew no better till I asked my schoolmate's Dad, who was Welsh, and he promptly went off into raptures about the Rhymney Brewery!! Ah, poetry indeed (chortle). Thanks also for posting full lyric, as I too had missed out on the second verse. So a bit more learning to do. X el |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: eddie1 Date: 09 Jan 14 - 05:29 AM I guess my favourite version has to be by Pete Seeger, with nods to The Byrds/Roger McGuinn. Interesting to have a trip through Spotify, quickly skipping past the version by Cher. Judy Collins does a good job and the six- or twelve-string question is answered by Bob Davenport who does an acapella version - with a tune much closer to the nursery rhyme of my childhood. Way back, probably my first venture into Mudcat, I answered a query about Len Partridge from Edinburgh. The late, great Hamish Henderson once introduced Len to Pete with the words, "This is Len, he can play "The Bells of Rhymney" better than you."! Eddie |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST Date: 08 Jan 14 - 01:10 PM Pete seeger coosd an effective 12 string accompaniment tha may be found on jerry silvermans 12 string guitar tutor as piblished by oak |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 08 Jan 14 - 05:45 AM I first heard the song on an Ian Campbell Five LP in the mid 60s & it made a great impression at the time- it's probably on CD by now. I was also delighted to find a copy of Idris Davies' poetry in the shop of the Welsh Mining Museum at Blaenavon- that was years ago, but they might still have some copies. Essential reading for all folky lefties, like me |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,deb in ny Date: 08 Jan 14 - 04:28 AM Judy Collins has a beautiful version on her Judy Collins 3 recording. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Airymouse Date: 04 May 13 - 03:58 PM I guess I'm mixing up apples and oranges, or maybe lemons. Anyway here in Virginia we sing a song, "King William was King James's son" which ends with "Here comes a light to light you to bed, and here comes a hatchet to chop off your head." |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,Eddie1 Date: 04 May 13 - 03:47 AM For an example of how a wonderful song can be RUINED, go to Spotify, enter the title and give a (brief) listen to the version by Cher! Uughh! Eddie |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,Lavengro Date: 03 May 13 - 08:56 AM In regard to Splott Man's post. Don't forget Rumney folk club. Rumney is run by Elaine and Derek Morgan and is a fantastic club which keeps many of us off the streets ;) Whitchurch RFC also have a good club which took over from the BBC folk club once run by Frank Hennessy. And Finally Barry Folk Club at the Glenbrook. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST Date: 02 May 13 - 08:39 PM I understand the poem is by Idris Davies and dates to 1926. I further heard that, ironically, the year the poem was published, Wales had no mining disasters. Such events were apparently so very common in those days that that year (1926) without calamity amounted to great, blessed, and all too infrequent, relief. I heard Seeger found a copy of the Davies poem inserted into the pages of a volume of Dylan Thomas verse. Its potential appeal to Seeger, who was an ardent socialist, is easy to understand. Politics aside, though, the poem and the song remain deeply moving. Who can disagree that, whatever one's own political leanings, we all owe our fellow human beings respect, fairness, and humane consideration, whoever they might be. A little less cruelty to strangers might make us all (the public at large) less willing to apply our own cruelty (what Seeger refers to as "Fangs and Teeth", our very own venom) to other people. Everyone of us could do with receiving a little less callous treatment. Let us pay for that relief in advance by applying some kindness to our fellows in the hopes that we can rachet down the world's quotient of sadness. The song is only about Welsh mining disasters on its most superficial levels. I think it begs for hope that we as humans will work to decrease suffering and increase compassion. The cost would be small, the benefits great. My own favorite version of the song is by the Byrds. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Splott Man Date: 16 Sep 11 - 04:09 AM Hi Chris in Portland. If you are visiting south Wales, there are quite a few catters here. Folk clubs (and catters) can be found in Llantrisant, Newport (2!), Chepstow, Gower and Pontardawe to name a few. Splott Man |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: Chris in Portland Date: 15 Sep 11 - 10:15 AM Jim, great video, thanks for that. Huw Williams' show on the song was great too. Getting excited about our early November visit to South Wales. Working on my Welsh! Hope to visit Rhymney (pronounced "Hrrrum-knee," not "Rim-knee")on our driving tour of the Valleys. Did you get those bells going again? Hoping to see Dewi Pws in Brecon too. Chris in Portland |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,Don Wise Date: 14 Sep 11 - 10:38 AM It occurs to me that, in the context of "The Bells of Rhymney", it's probably helpful to remember that Cardiff, Newport and Swansea were all major coal exporting ports at the time Idris Davies was writing. For all three, coal export was 'a very nice little earner', and that any disruption in the coalfield was bound to have a negative influence on their prosperity. Don |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,Don Wise Date: 13 Sep 11 - 02:19 PM As an aside, "Goin' back to Harlan" (mentioned somewhere above and years ago) was actually composed by Anna McGarrigle. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney (Idris Davies/Pete Seeger From: GUEST,Jim Clark poetryreincarnation youtube channe Date: 13 Sep 11 - 02:00 AM Its nice seeing the great Idris Davies being mentioned here at Mudcat he wrote such excellent poetry that was steeped in the realities of the struggles of the working classes. I have recently reincarnated him reading several of his finest poems in several virtual movies at my poetryreincarnations channel @ youtube Heres a link to The Bells of Rhymney.......... "The Bells of Rhymney" by Idris Davies Poem animation |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST Date: 12 May 10 - 03:17 PM Lonesome EJ, only half the phrases are directed towards the coal owners e.g. Who made the mine owner", "They will plunder willy-nilly", "they have fangs they have teeth", over their treatment of the miners during the strike and lockout. As for the phrase "Throw the vandals in court" this isn't a reference to the coal owners. Because this cry came from Newport an area which suffered less unemployment in the 1920s than the south Wales coalfield, the cry to put the vandals in court refers to the militant miners of 1926, as they were seen as vandals who refused work and created social disturbance. From Swansea onwards Idris Davies is portraying the social unsease felt by the more prosperous areas towards the south Wales miners. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,another byrds fan Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:30 PM Heard it years ago by Seeger. Loved it. Seemed rougher by him. Heard the Byrds take on it and fell in love all over again. Wish they hadn't omitted the middle verse. Play it every time I pick my Ric 360 12. Its on their first album "The Byrds". Give it a listen. (Yeah, I know it wasnt their first. But it was their first real album. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,RussRhymney Date: 10 Dec 08 - 05:16 PM SussexCarole is correct, the Bells of Rhymney can no longer be rung 'full circle', if fact they cannot be rung at all. We just have some of the chimes working. However, we are embarking on a complete restoration programme of St David's Church (the Top Church) where the bells are housed. This restoration will include the 'Bells of Rhymney'. The current estimate for the complete restoration of the church is approaching £750,000, which includes a cost of £50,000 to restore the bells to their former glory. We are currently vigorously fund raising and seek grant assistance to assist with this mammoth task, so all contributions, financial or otherwise, will be greatly appreciated. If you are able to help please contact russ@shurmer-associates.co.uk. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Susanne (skw) Date: 26 Oct 08 - 07:55 PM EJ, I don't know, but I've always assumed the anger was directed at the mine owners for their treatment of the miners - long on demands, short on pay, safety, honesty etc., as many of the songs about mining disasters seem to prove. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: SussexCarole Date: 25 Oct 08 - 06:35 PM Sadly the bells of Rhymney can no longer be rung 'full circle', and as I understand there is no plan for their restoration. It appears that they would have become unringable soon after Idris Davies had written the poem |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Lonesome EJ Date: 25 Oct 08 - 02:10 PM Interesting conversation about this song. The consensus seems to be that it is not about a specific event, but about the general decline in the mining industry in Wales in the 20s and 30s. But a few phrases seem particularly to point at particular occurrences. "Who made the mine owner", "They will plunder willy-nilly", "they have fangs they have teeth" ,"Throw the vandals in court", . Is this anger directed at the owners? The phrases seem to target something more active and aggressive than seeming to express sadness and frustration over mine closings. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Fidjit Date: 21 Dec 07 - 04:10 AM Quote Flash Company., but really you can only do it with a 12-stringer.. Unquote: No! You can do it with six strings too. Sang it at a gig last Saturday as a tribute to Pete. Fifty years since it was recorded!! I have the LP. One of my first. Chas |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 20 Dec 07 - 09:46 AM GUEST,sian said, in part: i do think this is just a parody of oranges and lemons Not a parody. A development of a thought, an echo if you will, even a theft of an image, but not a parody. A parody embodies a degree of sarcasm, or a satirical turn which is not present in this moving song. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: David C. Carter Date: 20 Dec 07 - 04:48 AM I thought Judy Collins did it on some record or other.Can't remember which one though. The only version I have is by Dylan and the Band,on a Basement Tapes cd.Not a great performence,he's just running through stuff.But I listen to it a lot.I always loved that song. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Lonesome EJ Date: 19 Dec 07 - 09:15 PM Until I saw him perform it in a You Tube video, I'd never seen or heard Pete's version. Very raw and emotional with its almost arhythmic music accompaniment. The soaring harmonies of the Byrds do seem to give the song a more ethereal and wistful feel. Both great versions, but nearly entirely different songs. The Denver and Alarm versions seem to plow the same turf as the McGuinn one. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,Margo Date: 19 Dec 07 - 08:21 PM http://www.welshicons.org.uk/html/rhymney.php |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,old girl 1 Date: 20 Sep 07 - 11:14 AM I might be giving my age away but when I was in school we had to learn this poem off by heart I do'ent think it was set to music then. Rose |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,Tippy tin Date: 20 Sep 07 - 09:16 AM I heard the tune on the MUZAK the other day. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Bryn Pugh Date: 20 Sep 07 - 08:54 AM Diolch i, dyn Splott, yr wyfi'n hoffi 'cath llaid'. Hwyl fawr, Bryn. |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Splott Man Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:26 AM Cath llaca? Cath mwd? Cath llaid? |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Bryn Pugh Date: 14 Sep 07 - 11:20 AM Peth yw'r enw Gymraeg o "Mudcat" a os welychi'n da ? |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,pen morris Date: 13 Sep 07 - 05:33 PM wow, I have waited so long to hear him sing this song again. I am from Rhymney, and I was told of a story of when John Denver came to visit the church, St. Davids Church in Rhymney,and my neighbour who was the caretaker of the church, showed him around, probably in the 60s. I must admit that when he sings the song, it sends shivers down my spine. I just love it! Gail |
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Subject: RE: Origin: Bells of Rhymney From: Llanfair Date: 31 Aug 07 - 03:20 PM Oh, I did enjoy that!! I was looking for the words and meandered into this thread. I'm planning on singing it on the market tomorrow. Welshpool, of course!!! |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: Bill D Date: 27 Jul 07 - 01:21 PM someone ELSE did The Bells of Rhymney, and lighting did not come down and strike them?....*grin* I don't think I'll listen to Denver do it... |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: SINSULL Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:11 PM John Denver's Bells of Rhymney http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7OYUqVfnGY |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: Scooby Doo Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:18 AM I have lived in Wales for 24 years and i love Scotland.I have to have a holiday up there at least once a year. Scooby From Wales. |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: goatfell Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:15 AM I love Wales, I just think it's a quite place, and I jsut can't stand busy places at all. Tom From Scotland |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,peter Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:56 PM Entirely too cool. My curiosity in the bells is from the Emmylou Harris song "Goin Back to Harlan".
and play me a little Shady Grove Ring the bells of rhymney till they ring inside my head forever Bounce the bow. Rock the gallows For the hangmans reel And wake the devil from his dream. |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: breezy Date: 23 Apr 06 - 09:09 AM Chris Flegg features it occasionally. Winward Folk Club Sundays in St Albans, club re-opens Sun 7th may at the Comfort Hotel it was Pete Seeger on Sunday night at the London Palladium where I first heard it |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,Dr Price Date: 23 Apr 06 - 07:47 AM Gwalia Deserta was a cycle of poems about the Depression, and the bitterness and hopelessness it engendered; The Bells Of Rhymney was a part of that. But Idris Davies shall be remembered for his incisiveness of his poems and his love for the Valleys of South Wales. On their album "Songs And Tunes From South Wales", Calennig recorded the poem "When April Came To Rhymney": When April came to Rhymney In shower and sun and shower The green hills and the brown hills Could sport some happy flower And sweet it was to fancy That even the blackest mound Was proud of its single daisy Rooted in bitter ground. And old men would remember and young men would be vain and the hawthorn by the pithead Would blossom in the rain and the blackest streets of evening They had their magic hour When April came to Rhymney In shower and sun and shower. |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: number 6 Date: 23 Apr 06 - 12:15 AM I with you on the Byrd's version Texas Guest. sIx |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,Texas Guest Date: 22 Apr 06 - 11:25 PM No doubt in my mind - The Byrds version of "The Bells" is the one that makes my heart sing. McGuinn's "jingle-jangle" Ric 12-string just created a wonderful bed for their moving vocals to soar upon. I simply loved the Byrds, then and now. Cheers. |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,ifor Date: 22 Apr 06 - 05:06 PM What a great writer was Idris Dvies...the bard of Rhymney. I am pretty sure that he was a schoolteacher who died quite young. His collection of poems Gwalia Deserta is a tragic account of the destruction caused to the welsh mining valleys as poverty and unemployment hit home in the 1920s and 1930s and the young people of the valleys were forced to move to London and elsewhere to look for work. As a young teenager I could barely beieve my ears when I realised that the Byrds were singing about my home town of Neath.Of course Roger McGuinn being a folkie himself would have known the Pete Seegar version of this wonderful song. Ifor |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: Bunnahabhain Date: 22 Apr 06 - 11:58 AM As noted above, the Oyster bands version of this has some real fire and venom behind it. They are rather good at political and protest songs. |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: Emma B Date: 22 Apr 06 - 06:02 AM I've not heard this wonderful sung version of the Idris Davies poem for many years but driving down the Wye valley and the Vale of Neath on the way to the Gower Wedding a fortnight ago the road signs brought the powerfully emotive words back and I found myself singing in the car. A song well worth "resurrecting" |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: GUEST,Gareth Owen Date: 21 Apr 06 - 10:20 PM I am actually a Rhymney resident, born and bred here and also my whole family. I am a distant realtive of Idris Davies. There is a strong sense of pride and passion for the great man here in our town. The place itself, as some have queried, is atypical of any post industrial town in the South Wales valleys, once proud traditional towns morally and socially corrupt throughout the years by poverty and desperation! Sorry to paint such a grim picture but I only speak the truth. The good sense of community still thrives though and a lot of good, voluntary work is done in the community. It is set in the most beautiful rugged scenery you could imagine and we take the neighbouring mountains for granted really. If you are interested in Idris Davies work then do a google search and try to find a book of poems released by him, through the legendary T.S Elliot. 'RUM KNEE' Is the pronounciation too! ;) |
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Subject: RE: Bells of Rhymney From: Flash Company Date: 03 Nov 04 - 11:46 AM Heard Pete Seeger sing this in The Free Trade Hall, Manchester on his first UK visit after his spell in the McCarthyite slammer. I loved it, but really you can only do it with a 12-stringer. No use to unaccompanied guys like me! FC |
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