Even as many in the modern world draw away from organised religion, the great hymns of our time persist: we turn to them at weddings and funerals, at rugby matches and in pubs.
Bringing together twelve of Wales’s best-loved hymns, from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, Poems from the Soul reveals the heart and soul of a people’s poetry. These are the poems of ordinary folk – blacksmiths, farmers and preachers – and they played a vital role in the creation of the Welsh people.
Ranging from the visionary intensity of Ann Griffiths to the striking biblical imagery of Wales’s unofficial national anthem, ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer’, in every hymn a single, singular voice sings out, loud and strong with fear, hope, ecstasy or anxiety.
With original illustrations by Ruth Jên Evans throughout, this collection offers insights into the making of a modern nation and demonstrates the transformative power of voices raised in song.
Want to hear what these songs of cultural heritage sound like?
Here is a playlist of a selection of the hymns explored in the book:
Poems from the Soul: Twelve of the Great Hymns of Wales by M. Wynn Thomas is available from your local bookshops.