Tune by Landore John Hughes, lyrics by Daniel James (Gwyrosydd), arrangement by Edmund Walters.
Originally written as a hymn, Calon Lân is often heard at rugby and football matches and anywhere else where there is an excuse to sing it. The version by Only Boys Aloud on Britain’s Got Talent is the most watched Welsh language video on YouTube.
Landore John Hughes (1872-1914) composed the tune of Calon Lân to Daniel James’s words at James’s request. Hughes also composed many other hymn tunes. He worked at Dyffryn Steel Works in Morriston for his entire career, travelling internationally with the company and in the process taught himself six languages besides his native Welsh. He served as organist at Caersalem Newydd Welsh Baptist Chapel where he was buried.
Daniel James (1848-1920), also known by his bardic name of Gwyrosydd, was a poet and hymn-writer from Treboeth, Swansea. He worked at Morriston Ironworks and Landore Tinplate works among other companies. His poetry and hymns were published in newspapers, periodicals and collections. He was buried at Mynyddbach Cemetery. Calon Lân is his most popular hymn.
Edmund Walters (1931-2003) was born in Milford Haven. In the 1960s he became was Head of Music at I. M. Marsh College Liverpool and Chorus Master at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society. He composed successfully for the society, especially Christmas carols, and his concerts were broadcast on the BBC and recorded, and his compositions performed world wide.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hughes_(1872-1914)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Lân
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_James_(Gwyrosydd)
https://britishmusiccollection.org.uk/composer/edmund-walters
Words
Nid wy’n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na’i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.
Calon lân yn llawn daioni,
Tecach yw na’r lili dlos:
Dim ond calon lân all ganu
Canu’r dydd a chanu’r nos.
Pe dymunwn olud bydol,
Hedyn buan ganddo sydd;
Golud calon lân, rinweddol,
Yn dwyn bythol elw fydd.
Hwyr a bore fy nymuniad
Gwyd i’r nef ar adain cân
Ar i Dduw, er mwyn fy Ngheidwad,
Roddi i mi galon lân.
Translation
I don’t ask for a luxurious life,
The world’s gold or its fine pearls:
I ask for a happy heart,
An honest heart, a pure heart.
A pure heart full of goodness,
Is more lovely than the pretty lily:
Only a pure heart can sing –
Sing day and night.
If I wished for worldly wealth,
It would soon go to seed;
The riches of a virtuous, pure heart,
Will bear eternal profit.
Late and early, my wish
Rising to heaven on wings of song,
For God, for the sake of my Saviour,
To give me a pure heart.
Translation source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calon_Lân