American Reacts to Yma o Hyd - Dafydd Iwan - Unofficial Welsh Anthem

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In this video I react to the Welsh song, Yma o Hyd. This was an amazing performance by Dafydd Iwan. Yma o Hyd is considered to be an Unofficial Welsh Anthem and I can see why. This is an incredible song to celebrate the people of Wales, the Welsh language and culture.
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[@Arksimon2k]

I'm English and I love this song. The Welsh language and identity should be protected and celebrated 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@TheChiefSmeg69]

Could not agree more. I’m a proud Yorkshireman (or to put it another way - ‘a Yorkshireman’) and I’m passionate about preserving our roots

[@markwolstenholme3354]

​@@TheChiefSmeg69I'm a Lancashire lad (stretching it a bit 😅) and totally agree.

[@geoffmelvin6012]

Yep, all the minority languages need to be protected.... (I'm English btw)

[@MarcusLB1998]

We speak mostly English here in Pembroke

[@iangudgin6536]

Absolutely ❤❤❤

[@amathans]

AS WE SAY IN WALES 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 To be born Welsh, Is to be born privileged. Not with a silver spoon in your mouth, But music in your blood, And poetry in your soul.

[@terricollins8450]

Perfectly said 👍

[@albin2232]

As a Scottish lover of both music and poetry, Wales has played a big part in my life.

[@amathans]

@@albin2232 What a great compliment 😊 that’s great to hear. I love Scotland too. It’s a beautiful majestic place.

[@Peshiolini]

Just like the Italians passion

[@albin2232]

@@Peshiolini Italian music is a massive gift to the world's culture. All the other arts just as much. I love Opera.

[@hambutty1]

Dafydd Iwan was actually jailed for his beliefs. A proud proud Welshman

[@dcoxdon]

His story gets SO MUCH more crazy than that! I don't want to give away anything about his auto-biography, but I'll just say he could have had a run-in with Prince Charles and........ I can't ruin it.

[@colinmorrison5119]

Britain and Ireland had many languages, and not many have survived. The Welsh should be proud for saving theirs. Great song.

[@sonofanarchy6628]

Isn't it one of 2 in Spain oldest in Europe traced back, bythonic language

[@colinmorrison5119]

@@sonofanarchy6628 there's a deep KZbin rabbit hole on the spread and evolution of languages. Enjoy.

[@MrBurtonshaw]

I understand Welsh is the oldest language in europe.@@sonofanarchy6628

[@alexthomson3001]

Would give a Lot for Cumbric to be recreated

[@petergilbert72]

‘had many languages’? Brythonic was the main language of Great Britain south of the Scottish Highlands. Modern Welsh is the surviving version of the language of the Britons.

[@reggy_h]

Well that got tears running down my face. I'm an old Welsh guy, getting more emotional by the day. A quote by JRR Tolkein "Welsh is of this soil, this island, the senior language of the men of Britain; Welsh is beautiful."

[@Arksimon2k]

Ooh that's a great quote.

[@drpaulvfr3597]

ST0P IT BRAWDD!! 💯💯💯💯🦾🦾🦾

[@philbaker4155]

I'm English and it brought tears to my eyes

[@CerianneHowells-ku3nq]

Absolutely love this song I'm a very proud welsh valleys girl 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💖💥👊🙏

[@Dorkrust]

No shame Bro, I am nearing 50 in Canada, something like half Celt, both Goidelic and Brythonic and this song makes me cry everytime and is my favorite all time Celtic language song even over the immaculate Oro Se do Bheatha Bhaile.

[@FluffysMum]

Cornwall always gets forgotten. Despite being banbed from speaking our language by the English we are Still Here too. Our language has been making a resurgence over the decades. Ni a yl dydh yma ❤

[@neiljames473]

Welsh people always here 4 u x

[@FluffysMum]

@neiljames473 Dydh da Welsh Brother, from a little old Cornish biddy. Dha weles 🥰

[@williamyoung8647]

Was working wi' a big guy years ago and called him an English man. He recorded.. I am a Cornishman! Made my ay that he'd claimed his sovereignty!! 😂😂😅

[@snugbugxxx]

I LOVE listening to Kernewek, it’s so similar to welsh in lots of ways, but with a Cornish accent (obviously) it just sounds fantastic to me.

[@Ben-lk9rq]

welshman here, awesome to see how similar cornish is to welsh. always blows my mind when i read other celtic languages, breton and cornish.

[@c.laviniamulholland585]

You can find him on KZbin singing this live leading the national team with tears on his face..Its so moving.

[@markrobinson8644]

I am of Welsh mother and of English father. I was born in England but I feel Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@lorrainejohnstone]

As a proud scot this song gave me goosebumps if only we scots had the same enthusiasm for our own Gaelic language 😢

[@CiaraNíShúilleabháin1990]

I think it's a pity that there isn't more of a shared effort between Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man to preserve our respective languages. There's a lot of similarities and mutual intelligibility between all three languages to such an extent that I, as an Irish speaker, can understand quite a lot of Scots Gaelic and Manx. I've often thought that if the Celtic nations were more united by our shared culture instead of being divided by England's imperialism then we could thrive and grow together, much more than we do apart. Let England have the isolated empire of one that they seem to desire so much. Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man can form a Celtic Union. Together we could be a powerful group within Europe. Ireland has over 1000 major ICT, social media, pharmaceutical and financial companies who have chosen to make our country the base for all of their European operations. There's no reason why the other Celtic nations shouldn't be able to share in that success. The only thing holding back the other countries is England's isolationist attitudes and policies. Why should the Celtic people continue to allow England to decide our future when they have done nothing but hold us back for hundreds of years? Éirinn go Brách! 🇮🇪 Alba gu bràth! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Cymru am byth! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Mannin son dy bragh! 🇮🇲

[@Challis1989]

Thing is tho Scotland a few different lanuagues in history gaelic wasn't spoken everywhere. You had Scots in the south east and south west we spoke a cumbraic language more akin to Welsh than Irish.

[@jacquieclapperton9758]

​@@Challis1989"Y Gododdin", dating to between the seventh and eleventh century, is one of the oldest surviving pieces of Welsh poetry. It tells of a raid of the Gododdin tribe from Edinburgh to Catterick in England. Steve, the whole of southern Scotland in 'The Old North' originally spoke Brittonic or what is now thought of as Old Welsh. There was also an exodus of these speakers to Wales at some point though the Brittonic speaking Kingdom of Strathclyde or Alt Clut survived until around 1070 before being incorporated into the Kingdom of Alba or Scotland. Further north, the unknown language of the Picts is thought to have held sway until superceded by Gaelic from the west coast and originally Ireland, with Scots along the northeast coast (the dividing line between Scots and Gaelic was roughly the Highland Line in what is now Aberdeenshire). Irish and Gaelic share a common ancestor language just as do English and Scots.

[@gallowglass2630]

@@Challis1989 Whereas irish was spoken everywhere in ireland at one point in the late middle ages even the pale which was under the control of the english crown.Anglonorman descendants except for a part of dublin and wexford spoke irish at that point.

[@Peshiolini]

you do and don't realise it

[@catherinehaywood7092]

Awesome video. We are a very proud nation. Diolch (thank you) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@albin2232]

You should be proud. You have made a massive contribution to world culture. Your poets are known and loved all over the world.

[@peterjones5533]

Hey Steve. Just to let you know that the Beach he is singing at is called White Sands in the awesome county of Pembrokeshire, about 2 miles from St Davids, the UKs smallest city and the home of Wales patron saint.The hill he sings from is called Carn Llidi. It is the remains of an old volcano, it is covered in history. With Neolithic burial chambers about 8000 years old.The remains of bronze age farms going back 5000 years as well as the remains of an iron age hill fort about 2000 years old. If you like history then Pembrokeshire is worth a visit. We also have atleast 17 castles not counting the remains of 4 or more old norman motte and bailey castles where only the mound remains.

[@cragraven8949]

The sheer amount of castles in Wales - especially as you get close to the border with England, is a testimony to how contested our land was.

[@HeatherPickford]

AND we have the BEST flag! 😃😃😃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Thanks for sharing.

[@Mark_Bickerton]

You certainly do, why there is NOT a dragon in the middle of the red cross of the union flag is a mystery to me. Any flag with a dragon gets a thumbs up from me! I think Welsh should be taught in English schools too. This is a small island and its as likely that my ancestors spoke welsh as did yours. Plus we might get a few more great singers as a result :)

[@cragraven8949]

Well, according to mythology, Wales was y ddraig goch, (the red dragon) and England was y ddraig wen (the white dragon). England could have had a white dragon on their flag. Instead they chose the flag of St. George - who was a dragon killer. The symbolism has never been lost on the Welsh.

[@alexicox4356]

So the way to pronounce it is "Yma (um-ah) o (or) hyd (heed)"! Lovely to see you take notice of this beautiful piece and acknowledge our language!! When the music started, tears came immediately!! Diolch am gwylio (Thanks for watching)!!

[@billboth6572]

I came to say this. The KZbin pronounce CLEARLY says a long E. HEEEEEEED.

[@annkynaston3605]

It's pronounced Yma (Um-ah)o Hyd (Hud).

[@irene3196]

I hadn't heard this before. It was spine chilling. This is a video I will watch again and again along with "Myfanwy", a beautiful Welsh love song. Fantastic singing all round. A hint of "up yours, England" in it I think. Stay proud, Wales, you have the best flag in the world and you are loved.

[@reactingtomyroots]

That's a great way to describe it! :)

[@drpaulvfr3597]

@irene, Myfanwy was the main song played at my nan's funeral, she died aged 94, 1 of 4 sisters from a tiny village in west Wales called llandysul. She learnt English, aged 27!! ❤❤

[@drpaulvfr3597]

Check this song at Wales v Ukraine or Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City stadium 🦾🦾🦾🦾🦾

[@RHYD_]

​@@reactingtomyroots Diolch a chymerwch ofal. Cariad o Gymru 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇸

[@alexanderstathakis941]

As a welshman this song makes me so proud to be welsh

[@Kyle-ek4gr]

bendigedig

[@rocky3268]

I live Next to the Stadium 🏟 and When Daffyd Belts this Out My Windows are Wide Open 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💯✌🏻

[@LisaEvans-qb1bs]

I’m English but moved to wales 27 years ago, my husband and children are welsh, my youngest being fluent, we felt it important for him to learn it. I work for our local police force and welsh is very much used in everyday life here. ❤

[@johnp8131]

A fantastic language. When living in rural Hertfordshire, just north of London and I was very small back in the early sixties, our neighbours, a Mr and Mrs Jenkins, originally from the valley's of mid-Wales, often baby sat me. My parents, not realising they only spoke Welsh at home didn't understand why as an eighteen month, to two year old, my English was getting so bad? Until my sixteen year old sister pointed out I was starting to speak Welsh and couldn't differentiate between the two at that age! I still remember a little Welsh and still speak reasonable French too, both came in useful back in the late eighties in Brittany. Two Welsh speakers an I were with the RAF at a French Naval air station working and went into a nearby village pub for a beer or twelve? When the locals heard us speaking Welsh, I was at least trying, they tried speakin Bretton with us, we got by and didn't have to pay for another beer all evening. "Iechyd da"!

[@fleshen]

Great story I'm Welsh but brought up in England and my parents didn't teach me a lot of Welsh but our neighbours were an old Welsh couple and they taught me Welsh!

[@sandraswift3489]

Because you both come from brits.brit means alliance

[@marchellabrahams]

Diolch!

[@harryc8415]

That was incredible. All the best From Scotland. Ps. If the Welsh can sing this next visit to Murrayfield I’d appreciate it 😊

[@FxSxRxZ]

Unfortunately most of the rugby crowd isn't as into it as the footy fans

[@WalkingCWild]

It's literally a Scarlets song and has been sung at the rugby far longer than the football@@FxSxRxZ

[@druid6722]

Yma O Hyd has been sung at Llanelli/Scarlets rugby matches for many years, long before the football fans adopted it. Because of this association with a club it is not likely to be sung by supporters of other, lesser teams even at an international

[@barbaraaimson2100]

Flower of scotland is special too. From england

[@Robbyrocklegend]

❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️​@@barbaraaimson2100

[@Chivs77]

Some background on the Welsh language for you , this song means so much to us Welshmen because England and it's monarchy made it illegal to speak Welsh for many years and due to this the Welsh language became less widely used and English became the predominant language in everyday use . The Welsh language resurgence started in the mid 80s when the Welsh language was reintroduced in Welsh schools as a subject and it has steadily grown since then . As a Welshman I'd also say we are probably one of the most passionate nations regarding our heritage and culture because of its oppression for so long .....Cymru am byth ❤

[@cragraven8949]

Yep - they used to punish children if they found them speaking Welsh in school - even though for many of them Welsh was their first language and they were still learning English.

[@jaffapops7001]

Wales is known for its excellent singers, and quite often referred to as the land of song. Our accents are quite melodic in rhythm. Check out male voice choirs, the Treorchy Male Choir is quite well known and has been going for 140 years. Also check out Cerys Matthews singing calon lan.

[@fionahall3900]

Have you heard luke Evans singing it breathtaking

[@owainmorgan3897]

​@@Lloyd-FranklinYes, she is. She was born and brought up in Neath.

[@asseyez-vous6492]

I can testify that not all Welsh people are good singers. The difference is, they don’t care if they’re tone deaf, they still belt out a song anyway 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@amethyst4048]

I love the Luke Evans version of calon lan as well, he is backed by a Welsh male voice choir in this version which is more like the version you hear at rugby matches kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4ayXqR7hZ2SiaMsi=rLxu0nQTJ6wMdg-E

[@Wolven20511]

Dolly Parton is welsh too

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

As a Welsh Native, I get overwhelmed with emotion and pride every time I listen to this song. Steve,you should check out ‘The Drowning of Capel Celyn’ in 1965, when Dafydd Iwan did everything in his power and more,to try and stop Liverpool from drowning out a small village,to make a reservoir for themselves. The village was one of the last Welsh speaking communities. It wasn’t the first one they took. Hence it is now called Llyn Celyn(Lake Celyn.) it is only a stones throw from my old home town. I think you might find it interesting how he does everything to protect our culture. Dduw Bendithia fo.( God Bless him.) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@reactingtomyroots]

I'll look into it! Thanks

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

@@genevievenoble8120 Covid is actually rife again in our village. A good friend of mine has it really bad. Hence still wearing a mask,as I am on vulnerable list. It is so wonderful to know your daughter can speak Welsh. It is vital in our preservation and continuing but slow rise in Welsh speakers. Love what you said” Dwi’n utter carrot”😂😂Love the sense of humour!Keep up with learning our language. I have been told it isn’t easy,but as a Welsh Native,obviously I don’t know any different. All the best to you and your daughter. 👍

[@gallowglass2630]

@@reactingtomyroots Please have a look at fields of athenry sung by irish fans not by people of irish descent like at celtic fc and liverpool soccer matches.Its mostly sung at rugby and soccer matches involving irish national teams,though it started off at hurling matches its mostly rugby now.Gaelic football and hurling attract huge crowds in ireland as they do for rugby and international soccer,but they don't really sing at these games,before or after certainly but not during the games its a mystery.

[@marylowrey8911]

We know what you mean trying to describe his voice. Its a male , Welsh voice: burned and burnished in male voice choirs, coalmines and steelworks and RUGBY ( although they can play football a bit too). I’m glad there are numerous Welsh speakers around and that most Welsh know enough of their language to belt out their actual national anthem and great hymns and songs like like.

[@CraigTom-so2vt]

Anglesey and many more north wales still siarad Cymraeg so when younsay one of the last speaking areas dont make sense, south wales is mostly non welsh speaking part of the country but Gogledd cymru dal yn cymreag, CYMRU AM BYTH

[@tracyr2842]

As a Welsh person of a certain age, my biggest embarrassment is being unable to speak the language. When I was at school in the south part of the country it wasn’t even an option, French and Latin was! Now it’s in the national curriculum as it should be. You’ll never meet a French person that can’t speak French. It’s a travesty for my generation. Shameful

[@derekjones3948]

I know how you feel. I think there is no angrier Welshman than one who was robbed of the opportunity to speak their native language by the oppressive arrogance of past English governance. Its an ever burning frustration.

[@MrBurtonshaw]

the current "english governance" is no better, they even encourage right wing english nationalists in Wales to call to the abolish our Welsh Parliament!!! just because right wingers WILL NEVER govern it. @@derekjones3948

[@sonofanarchy6628]

The thing is it's not better under Cardiff, we still run by muppets and corruption

[@albin2232]

No shame on you or any Welsh person that you weren't given the opportunity to learn your beautiful language.

[@reactingtomyroots]

I'm glad it's back in the curriculum and being taught now.

[@suekendrew-3790]

Hi Steve, I'm English and an older lady and I moved to South Wales 11 years ago with my husband who now sadly has passed. I love the Welsh people , my husband always said it was the best thing we ever did and he was right . I have found ever one to be warm , kind, helpful and generally caring yes they can talk for hours but that's not such a bad thing. I always enjoy your channel and always look for the next one, you have such an adorable little girl. Please keep the video coming.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks for the kind words Sue! Appreciate you following along on the journey :)

[@philldavies7940]

One thing I can guarantee, you'll have Welsh blood in your recent ancestry, just as every Welsh person will have English blood. Also Scots and Irish. Indeed, geneticist reckon we all have German ancestry from the 13th century (AD). In all my days, I find the further from London you come from , the better you;ll get along, I;ve had many a good time with Jocks, Paddies and especially those Newcastle boys.

[@AM-dz2sh]

I was born in London, but both parents are Irish born.. I have Welsh best friends..and I will fecking sing this song for you Welshie's!!! MUCH LOVE! Keep learning the language, get your kids to learn it outside of school.... Never let it die. Your language is one of the ways, you can keep your identity!! They can never take that from you xxxx

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Hello from the Welsh American Channel. We Welsh Americans are very proud of our heritage and our music. Cymru am byth!

[@Kennygsx]

Fully respect ur heritage but have u visited us here in Wales?

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

You bet we have. Last time was a visit to north Wales last October. A beautiful and wonderful nation.@@Kennygsx

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

Last visit was in October in North Wales. Stayed a few nights in Llandudno and had some great tour guides. Plan to be back the summer of 2025.

[@Ben-lk9rq]

@@WelshAmericanChannelwhy do americans insist on holding onto a distant heritage. i always hear of "italian americans" and "irish americans". youre american, simple as. if you were born in america then you didnt grow up like we did, didnt see the things we did, and never grew up around our culture. ive seen your channel before, and your grandparent emigrated to america well over 100 years ago. youre not welsh butt

[@WelshAmericanChannel]

@@Ben-lk9rq Thanks for your question. One would need to be an American to understand and appreciate this. The USA and Canada are less than 250-years old as sovereign nations. This is a small “drop in the bucket” in human history. With about 370 million inhabitants combined… 99.9% of the people are children of immigrants who came from somewhere else in the world. (Unless a person is full blooded native American, which are very few.) Americans don’t have deep roots, so we are interested in our heritage… especially our surnames… and what influence our heritage had on building these young nations. We don’t “claim” to grow up like you did or to live in your culture. You may have missed the point that is included after the dash (-) AMERICANS. We are a unique blend of our original heritage (whatever that may be) and the new world. I am NOT Welsh and never claimed to be, I am an American of proud Welsh descent (Welsh-American) who chooses to celebrate my rich ancestry. What my grandparents did 100 years ago does not neutralize the 10,000 years of genetic history that my DNA reveals. Their blood and DNA runs through my veins! This is why Welsh, Irish, Italian, African, and “other” AMERICAN’s are proud of their ancestors and how they helped to change the world forever by their contributions to promote freedom worldwide.

[@RayDavies-zv5ic]

Another excellent reaction. To be British is to be blessed. To be Welsh is to be doubly blessed. I am lucky enough to be both.

[@Rachub]

Don’t think Dafydd Iwan would agree with that second sentence!

[@MrBurtonshaw]

to be fair, us Welsh are the original British. But yes, generally many of us are "Welsh" full stop. @@Rachub

[@Tom-ed-w]

most english have german blood.

[@dougoneill7266]

@@Rachub 'British by birth Welsh by the grace of God' as they say. I am Welsh, I am proud to call myself British and I'm proud of my Irish people.

[@dougoneill7266]

@@Tom-ed-w This isn't about blood it's about culture and heart.

[@Western-Ranger.]

As an Englishman I love the Welsh anthems, gives me goosebumps every time 😊

[@Kunta-Kinte002]

Go back to Germany, and Danemark stay away from the Brythonic celts

[@rebekahanderson5020]

It’s such a banger. You don’t have to be Welsh to fist pump and shed a tear in response to this song. Love it! So moving.

[@paulgoode5245]

Cwych❤❤❤❤

[@benhack-p8h]

Well played

[@AwenLitlle]

Hi Steve. So glad you enjoyed Yma o hyd. Dafydd Iwan is an absolute Welsh icon and folk singer who has done more than almost anyone to promote and support the Welsh language and culture. You are absolutely right in your comments about the Welsh national pride in our country and language. The seaside footage was in beautiful Whitesands Bay near St Davids in Pembrokeshire, an internationally renowned area of beauty. If you ever come over to our beautiful country, highly recommend it ! Thank you ( diolch ) for highlighting the song and Wales to your followers. For a choir recommendation, try Llanelli or Treorchy Male Voice choirs singing "Myfanwy" or "Calon Lan". Best wishes / Hwyl fawr, Awen

[@martinsear5470]

There is a classic 1964 film called Zulu and at one point near the end a bunch of Welsh soldiers begin singing a song called Men Of Harlech. It's a powerful scene and that song is the one that makes me, an Englishman, think of Wales whenever I hear it. Beautiful and moving. Nothing quite beats a Welsh Male Voice Choir belting that out. Cymru am byth!!

[@rjart4]

Just out of interest the lyrics in the Zulu film were especially written for the film.

[@janettesinclair6279]

Spinetingling!

[@reactingtomyroots]

I'll have to look that up!

[@criostoirodriscoll3534]

It's a pity they were doing England's dirty colonising work for them though

[@rjart4]

@@criostoirodriscoll3534 There were 122 soldiers present, 49 were English, 32 Welsh, 16 Irish, 1 Scot and 3 from overseas.

[@tomwilliams3965]

I was put into a coma for a month last july and nobody was sure if i would ever recover, as a family of huge welsh football fans my dad would sit at my bedside and play this song for me to hear most days. I've since made a full recovery and been able to go back to a football game, let me tell you we both absolutely SOBBED when the whole stadium sang it before the game. This song was always special but it means the absolute world to me now.

[@JayLinky]

And me ICU Cardiff chim up hope your better sending love x

[@britbazza3568]

Hi Steve I'm English and living in Wales. The Welsh language is a lovely language and I'm trying to learn it but it isn't easy lol. Glad to see you covering Wales as a independent nation. You need to cover more of Wales it really is a beautiful nation. Its also the nation with the the greatest number of castles..in fact its the world record holder for castle numbers there are so many that if you stand on s hill or mountain and throw a stone chances are you'll hit a castle walled to show more of Wales to show your viewers how beautiful this small nation actually is Check out the Welsh national anthem it is really rousing to the heart it is called land of my father's

[@NicholasJH96]

Good luck on learning it, apps will help a bit but you need some 1 -1 with someone who speaks it fluently, Google translate can help you a bit with it spelling words but it sounds like a robot speaking it on google translate, which isn’t how it actually sounds. As someone who can speak it as a 2nd language, it does require effort to learn it. In certain words in case you’re not aware of, some Welsh words in North Wales are driffeance to South Wales. According to North Wales teacher in school I went. It’s because people in South Wales couldn’t say it. Like in English they can be multiple words that mean same thing.

[@glennaustin37]

Also moved to south Wales recently. As an Englishman, had a little trepidation before the move, but people here so friendly and welcoming. Picking up some of the language, but won't ever be able to speak it. Nice that my grandchildren will be bilingual. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💚

[@damagedheather]

As a Welsh person, I just wanted to say it's so lovely to see an English person who is living in our country and attempting to learn the language, promote the culture and highlight the independent value of Cymru as an autonomous entity. Thank you so much for your efforts. I wish you luck with your language learning and hope you can one day consider yourself Welsh too.

[@britbazza3568]

@@glennaustin37 the people here are fantastic they're very friendly especially when you do take an interest in the Welsh language and culture. I love it

[@britbazza3568]

@@damagedheather thank you I love it here and the Welsh people are so welcoming

[@BusyAndySings]

Gives me chills everytime I hear it. Cymru am byth! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ❤️

[@sharonsmith6844]

I'm English and love the Welsh national anthem especially when played at the rugby internationals at a home game and this song is up there with it. It is magical and stirs something in the soul

[@dcoxdon]

I know that this reaction was done a couple of months ago, but I REALLY hope people are still reading these comments! Dafydd VERY recently released his autobiography in English and it is absolutely addictive. I couldn't put it down. This sone means more to me than anyone will know. I fell in love with the crowds singing it before I even saw the English translations. I live in Michigan and the winters can be really dark. I suffer from drug resistant depression but I want to say this song gives SO much hope! Sometimes when you get up in the morning IT'S OK to just be good enough to say "I'm Still Here Today"... This is one of the most incredible songs I've ever heard, but I must also say that reading about his LIFE is JUST as incredible!!! This song has been a life saver! I'd LOVE to get word out about his book as well because his life is part of history and CANNOT be lost to time! Don from Michigan I feel I need to say that I am NOT being paid by anyone to talk about his book. I make ZERO dollars from ANY of his book sales.

[@BC25citizen]

Thanks for mentioning that. I’ll check that book out.

[@dcoxdon]

@@BC25citizen I'd love for you to reply back after you read it so I can get your thoughts. This man has had a crazy life and a movie really needs to be made of his story! As mentioned, the song has been helping me through a whole lot!

[@lloydowen6900]

Im welsh, fluent welsh speaker too 💪 love this song, i cannot describe the feeling i get everytime i hear this song! Makes me so proud to be welsh! Cymru am byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@sharonhale6846]

That was great ! So nice to hear an American so interested in Wales❤Your pronounciation was pretty accurate too! Well done. I love Dafydd Iwan😊. I am a Welsh speaker & live in North Wales. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Have you heard the song “Myfanwy”? Another powerful song, especially when sung by a male voice choir.

[@darrellpowell6042]

Its about how Wales has survived and how they are keeping their language, their ways, despite England's historical military power and influence of English. Its a great song very emotional for anyone nation that has survived their overlords. Now imagine Native Americans had their song like this too.

[@gallowglass2630]

Native americans are not one culture and never have been and individual tribes have such songs like the lakota national anthem they have festivals there own sports,they are not content to be victims.They are only 4million native americans out of a total US population so there visibility is not high but that doesn't mean they don't have vibrant cultures despite the troubles they face on an ongoing basis.

[@c_n_b]

The Native Americans do have a song. Number 1 for the 10000th week in a row, it's "Huyah Huyah Huyah"

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

👌Kindred spirit!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@gigmcsweeney8566]

The Welsh aren't indigenous. They arrived in Europe only in the Bronze Age. My genetic group have been here for 43,000 years and are the only uniquely aboriginal, 1st nation Europeans who have ever existed.

[@siarlb8115]

@@gigmcsweeney8566 what did your ancestors do during the last ice age? Did thay pop over to Iberia for the duration and then pop back again when it got warmer?

[@Layla-qh7zc]

As a welsh person whos whole life was spent in wales, i am so happy to know that people are reacting to this ❤ Your reaction was great and the pronounciation was really close aswell!

[@janetgreen4642]

Loved the video, your comments and enthusiasm. Proud to be Welsh and, diolch yn fawr iawn for posting this! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@angelataylor2049]

I’m English and respect the Welsh, some of my family live there. I love North Wales and the scenery is beautiful!

[@joyridgway6398]

The Walsh flag is beautiful and should be part of the Unite Jack.

[@angelabushby1891]

​@@joyridgway6398the dragon should be in the middle of the red Cross,

[@joyridgway6398]

@@angelabushby1891 I agree it should and I think it would look fantastic.

[@williamtraep2984]

​@@joyridgway6398 there is only one British flag and its not the Union Jack. England wanted Scotland to unite in 1707 to help resist any further Welsh attacks to take back the British Isles. Then Ireland in 1801. Westminster fought to unite these countries to stop the Welsh gaining back the lands lost to the European tribes, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans. The Welsh don't want any part of the English flag.

[@heidihumbug]

​@@angelabushby1891No, it really shouldn't. We don't actually want to be on that flag.

[@legion162]

I'm not a Welsh nationalist or anything, but the song is more meaningful if you learn about the oppression of the Welsh and specifically the oppression of the Welsh languge itself by the English government

[@simonpauljohnshaw296]

Well said 👏🏻

[@rockflowerful]

⁠@@simonpauljohnshaw296 There is not an English government is there? The English have no government to protect their interests as the Welsh,Scots and Northern Irish do. I was brought up in England but my ancestry is very mixed. I do not hate the Welsh and love to hear Welsh spoken and sung. Actually you could make a case for the oppressed English! Ruled by a government that is not made up of citizens of England only..

[@criostoirodriscoll3534]

​@@rockflowerful don't be ridiculous.

[@MrBurtonshaw]

they'd only be conned into electing more tories in most of england. @@rockflowerful

[@getgud_6148]

Ong im welsh and had to spend so much time and effort just to learn a few welsh phrases, for those in the comments saying the english government had no interests, they spent basically the entire occupation of wales trying to eradicate the language, and its only spoken fluently in a few parts of the country (primarily in the north where the english struggled to oppress them) there was another time were the english destroyed an entire school to build a new dam (killing around 100 children) so that the poshies of liverpool could have cleaner water

[@RyanStrutt94]

Thanks for the shout out Steve! So glad you enjoyed it 😁😁😁 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Yma o hyd!

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks for the suggestion! It was awesome :)

[@rosaliegolding5549]

That was just WONDERFUL goosebumps 🤣WORDS FAIL me to describe the beautiful song so Patriotic as is the Offical National Anthem 👏👏👍👍very STIRRING , can’t thank you enough Steve for introducing it to us WELL DONE 👍🤷‍♀️

[@reactingtomyroots]

Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did :)

[@rosaliegolding5549]

Steve another video to watch for us who want to conserve the earth is “THE GREENHOUSES OF ALMERIA “ Megaprojects Simon Reeves who brought it to peoples attention is a good one but video is too long to play ,hope you can also play the Great exhibition of London a marvel Architecturally the Crystal Palace was that contained it many thanks always enjoy your unusual videos you show us 👍🤷‍♀️

[@benrichards7664]

Not only as a Welshman did i love this video, but every time I hear this song makes me feel even more proud to be Welsh! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@elton1981]

6:03 The lyric is not “despite England’s might, we’re alive” but “despite old Maggie and her crew” meaning Margaret Thatcher - Former Prime Minister. It’s quite a political song after all.

[@snugbugxxx]

The original lyric is that for sure, but in this version he’s changed it to ‘ei frenin a’r criw’ meaning literally the king and his criw, which represents England. I assume he did that as Maggie T is long dead and we don’t speak ill of the dead (even if they were an evil old crone…😒😂)

[@annmarianderson9728]

You should watch it in the Welsh stadium with the crowd behind him amazing brings tears to a Welsh girls eyes xx yma o hyd! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@no-oneinparticular7264]

I loved this, I was rocking to it like you, Steve 😂. My best friend is Welsh, from Tredegar, which is a very small town according to her. Thankyou, Wales and Steve for a lovely addition to my morning.

[@psychopenguin2465]

Proud Welsh woman here, even though I've lived in England for 15 years. Pronunciation was pretty good! Only slight nickpick was you pronounced it Yma o hid when it's more like yma o heed. Other than that pretty spot on!

[@reactingtomyroots]

Appreciate the correction! Thanks for watching :)

[@emmarowlands80]

I was born English but have lived in Wales for 22 years. Married a Welshman and have 3 very proud Welsh children! If you want to celebrate the Welsh people coming together then you MUST WATCH the Welsh rugby team singing the anthem in Cardiff Principality stadium, it's truly something else! Makes me get goosebumps in my soul! Rugby is a religion here ❤❤❤

[@clareamor9949]

I'm English and been living in Aberystwyth, Wales for the last 7yrs. Best move I ever made, and the locals have adopted me as Welsh as I've always made a strong effort to learn the language. Helps knowing that my great-grandmother was Welsh also. Definitely check out the Welsh male choir singing Calon Lan, give me goosebumps every time. Cymru am byth!

[@JoeBloggsYoutube]

What's your favourite messed up cocktail from The Cambrian? 😂

[@albin2232]

I am Scottish, but have always enjoyed the beauty of Welsh singing.

[@theblue-eyescollector6777]

I also enjoy the Scottish culture as a Welsh man.

[@drewwilliams6888]

The bag pipes and Scotland the Brave, what a combo. Best wishes form South Wales.

[@horatio321]

I'm a London born mixture of Celt, English and Viking. My Irish family were traced to Dublin, where they settled from Sweden during the height of the Viking slave trade.😬 As a drummer, I often played in Welsh bands and one of the most memorable gigs I played was in Aberystwyth, with Dafydd Iwan, and in particular - the song Yma O Hyd. The versions of the song at that time were very Hymn-like, but with the line up in our band, Dafydd Iwan really enjoyed the Rocked up version we improvised. So much so, he played it again with us a good few times. The time signature and powerful chorus make for dramatic fills, dynamic verses and epic builds. Perfect for crowds of people to show unity, strength - and dare I say it - defiance against all the odds. Yep. This is a legendary song. Fun fact: Dafydd Iwan likes his Cwrw. One time he started this song on guitar in the wrong chord and had to re-start. 🤣

[@carahughes1412]

Thankyou for reacting to this song! I find it so powerful! If you want to learn more about the welsh language, i would advise to check out the Treachery of the blue books. A commitioners report about education in Wales, this eventually lead to the 'Welsh Not' in schools in the 1800s this was a main cause of the decline in the Welsh language. Thankyou! 😊

[@struebz]

Cymru am byth! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 They tried to get rid of us, our identity and culture. Yma o hyd! This song has become iconic of our national team. It can be quite emotional, especially when we got into our first World Cup after 60 years

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

Barch i fod yn Cymraeg!✊😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@albin2232]

I'm Scottish, but I have always loved Welsh singing. When I first heard it as a child, it made a huge impression on me.

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

@@albin2232 Got to mention. I absolutely love the bagpipes. So powerful! Rydyn nhw’n Gwych!( They are Brilliant!)👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BishieBishie]

My favourite version is when he recently sung this at the Eisteddfod, and it was a wall of young people singing it back to him and he gets visually choked up by it. To see the youngsters thriving with the language must mean a lot to him as an activist

[@reactingtomyroots]

Yes, I'm sure it does! That's beautiful

[@caraj9704]

I lived in Wales for 10 years - this gives me goosebumps listening to the passion!!

[@Kat-po3mn]

I'm a Gaidhlig speaking Scot and love this Welsh song - beautifully sung with such emotion and strength

[@noelbebb92]

We’re Still Here!!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@paulkitching1623]

Great reaction Steve. Welsh music and particularly choirs are amazing. You must look at a rendition of the Welsh National Anthem ‘Land of my fathers’, performed by a Welsh choir it’s absolutely stunning.

[@jacquib2314]

I am a Welsh person, and your intense face while you were listening, and the fact you understood what it meant, it meant a lot. And, yes, I cried watching this, Diolch yn fawr iawn (thank you very much)

[@jacquib2314]

to add, the "Fagi ai Criw" is mistranslated, because of the time passed between when the song was written and this translation. It means "Maggie and her crew," meaning Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet. She was NOT loved here on the whole...

[@helenjarvis7755]

I'm english and think its wonderful that Wales is speaking welsh even more now and my favourite singer is from Anglesey was number 1 album UK last week and sings some welsh in some of the songs 37 in the Billboard 100 US also 💖

[@moggsy71]

Thank you for such enthusiasm! Diolch yn fawr 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🫶

[@CubejamF1]

I cant speak my own language, sadly, but i underatand some of it, I see it every day on our signs and it still gives me pride. This song gives me pride, even though I am a very bad Welshman 😂

[@stephendean1906]

Thank you for your passion you've put into this review .We are a small but very proud nation and you have summed it up perfectly. Also thank you for referring to Britain as the UK and not just England .stay safe and be lucky .

[@RaymondoRed]

Hello Steve, you should search for the videos that have Daffyd Iwan singing Yma O Hyd in front of Welsh football crowds. Awesome, absolutely the best anthem ever. I am English but it brings me to tears. The Welsh language was spoken on the British Isles long before English was.

[@FandPrulethesky]

Great Vid. Just stumbled on to it. There is a Welsh language music festival called Tafwyl. Dafydd performed this year and it was amazing. Crowd was full of teenagers just going crazy. Fantastic experience.

[@TheBlackcredo]

Such a powerful and emotional song. I love how you reacted to it with so much excitement. Cymru Am Byth.

[@insideoutgmltd]

Well done for covering this Steve. We'll keep a welcome in the hillside for you and your family. 😊

[@cJa6_]

I was born in England but moved to Wales when I was 3, so I practically consider myself as Welsh because it's where I grew up. I have never known a country to be more proud of who they are, and so close-knit, in my life, it's crazy.

[@stevebton]

Great reaction!

[@ruthletts9752]

The Welsh have magnificent voices. Especially male voice choirs.

[@williamyoung8647]

Im a Scot, but totally proud of my x2 welsh born g/ children. They are close to the English border but both speak the Welsh language (mandatory at primary school). They used to sing happy birthday by phone to me, Monmouth to Edinburgh!. Loved it.😊

[@ginaday8808]

You should watch Michael Sheens speech to the Welsh team as well!

[@glennaustin37]

That was absolutely brilliant.... Shame it did not seem to have the desired effect on the pitch...

[@purplebongo27]

Diolch. Thank you love & light from South Wales 💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🌻

[@TanyaRando]

Listening to this gives me chills and I live here! The Welsh supporters in rugby and football often break into spontaneous song, which in a stadium sounds amazing and gives the team a bit more encouragement. Make voice choirs will give you chills too!

[@lierking2902]

Commenting from Cardiff here: love your videos, it's great that you're so thoughtful and have such an open mind. Keep 'em coming 🫡

[@lewismoaneiscool1974]

Proud to be Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿love this song

[@ConnorCody-qe4ef]

Makes me cry every time i here this amazing anthem😢 it so powerful its truly uplifting...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👏

[@eleanorbarrie3527]

I'm Scottish and it has the same effect on me even though I can only speak a couple of sentences of Welsh. I wish Yma o Hyd was the official Welsh anthem, its just fabulous!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Mahoolipoodles]

That’s the first time I’ve heard that and it’s beautiful 🥰

[@kevinjames632]

Makes me well up with pride every time I love my Wales ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@0KiteEatingTree0]

What a fantastic song, I was moved to shed a tear.

[@mcmark82]

I am American and have lived in the UK for 15years. I bring my family to the Gower in Wales every summer. My favourite place.

[@johnboland6509]

Thanks fir promoting swansea,gower is part of swansea.Its not the gower,its simply gower yo us locals.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

If you were come over here you absolutely should ensure you visit Wales - and not just Cardiff or the south. The north is beautiful, the west is paradise, and a visit to St David's (inc the cathedral) is so spiritual and the south too. Spend a week in Wales. It'll touch you!

[@reactingtomyroots]

I have no doubt! :)

[@fionanorris107]

Llanddwyn/Newborough on Anglesey & Llŷn Peninsula North West Wales are stunningly beautiful.

[@batboynl2010]

if you get a chance have a look on youtube at Dafydd Iwan performing this prior to either the Wales Austria or Wales Ukraine world cup qualifier play offs in 2022 - some of the crowd shots in this clip are from the performance before the Austria game. The shivers it sends down the spine to see 35000 Welsh fans singing along are incredible and the look on Dafydd's face and his tears as he sees men, women and children from all over Wales singing along with him after the near annihilation of our language is awesome it fired up the fans and the team to two epic wins that saw us qualify for our first World Cup in 54 years

[@jackiea8394]

You did better with your Welsh language than I ever can Steve! Look for Welsh male choir or singers. They are all stunning!

[@tamibenz6626]

That was amazing!! Thank you!! 🙏🏻. My maternal side is a blend & welsh is 1 of them 💕💐 I heard something about a village in Argentina? I believe I thought that was pretty cool!! Beautiful song beautiful, beautiful voice Thank you 🙏🏻💕💐

[@karencrocker8070]

Welsh and proud ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@orionalexandersummers]

As a Welsh man who’s had ancestors move to America, Dafydd Iwan is an absolute national icon and thank you for listening to it! The Welsh language is still here and forever will be! Diolch yn fawr am ymroi dy amser i ddysgu am Gymru!! Bydd yr iaith Gymraeg yn fyw!! ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Peshiolini]

Love this my nan was welsh my grandad was Scottish and I am English so all three come together I just love this...I love their pride in their country and keeping it together seperate from England and I can understand this.....good on you Wales....lovely song and passion ...I wish passion was like this in England but England is the Queen now the king and we are a bit reserved in passion and I wish we were like Wales and Scots .....

[@MrBurtonshaw]

Says something that Wales national anthem is about the people, England's is about an invisible man saving a man with a grown crown on his head and killing their neighbours. I mean, what's that about?

[@KSK68870]

Wow i cried Listening to this and full on goose bumps , I speak fluent Welsh I Live in the Valleys in South Wales 🙏❤💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Yma O Hyd 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@sianstockham9244]

I’m Welsh but when I was in school I wasn’t allowed to learn Welsh. I’m so glad that my grandson will learn it.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@lizparker3268]

I’m so privileged to live in a beautiful country with our own language that we fought to keep even when we were punished if we spoke our language.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Evns27]

Watch dafydd iwan singing this song in front of the Welsh fans before Austria it’s gives me goosebumps every time. Tears of joy streaming down dafydds face.

[@McCRBen]

It’s such an awesome song the Queensland Irish Choir performed it at a concert in Brisbane. Thanks for writing it and taking it up. Your wish shall be granted.

[@claregale9011]

Love it . 😊 The welsh are a very proud nation , my brother in law is welsh so i can attest to that . 😊

[@DragonMist-zl5iv]

I love how much you got from that song. Thank you for promoting the Welsh! Diolch yn fawr.

[@shadow-Sun]

God bless Wales. I am English born and bred ex Royal Marine with many Welsh friends , a great Nation with great people 100 % respect to all our Welsh brothers and sisters , whose contribution to this United Kingdom often goes overlooked , but any student of history knows that the welsh have always punched well above their weight in that contribution , thank you Wales (even the anti English lot ,you have your reasons ) . Better together . UK .

[@KieranKelly-o9s]

I have total respect for you connecting to your roots