your comments

Lynne Jones, Blackwood gwent
Please does anyone have any idea where i can purchase the dvd or video of 'off to philadephia in the morning'. Its for my wonderful mother for christmas.We have tried but without luck. I would be very greatful for any help or advice.
Sun Nov 8 19:09:40 2009

Sian Pile from Twickenham
I have a bound copy of the full score of Blodwen, Welsh words by Mynyddog and English words by Professor Rowlands of Brecon College published by D.J.Snell of Swansea in 1917.
Thu Oct 8 12:44:28 2009

Tony Willicombe from Penarth
In answer to A Parry of Colorado, we live next to St Augustine's Church in Penarth. Only this morning we took a stroll across to Parry's memorial, which is on a hillside overlooking Cardiff Bay. A truly stunning view. Dr Parry, it states on the memorial, had 3 sons, though 2 died tragically young in the early 1890s - one aged 20 the other aged 29. The Parry's lived in a house called Cartref here in Penarth. His wife passed on in 1918 aged 75. If I am able to find out anymore I will post it to this site.
Mon Jun 15 09:56:27 2009

Mike Davies, Swansea
I remember watching it on tv, it was very moving and I would love to obtain a copy of the series
Tue Jan 27 10:04:32 2009

Terry Kelly from Lowestoft
Dear Merthyr Boy, How can we contact you in order to get a copy of your "Off to Philadelphia"?
Sun Jan 25 16:31:20 2009

Joe Challoner, Brynteg, Wrexham
My wife jean and i watched the series of to philadelphea in the morning all that time ago and it is still with us. We would love to have a copy it would be treasured but we still have vivid memories of it and always will.
Tue Dec 30 10:24:23 2008

Pixie Hyland from New Zealand
Yes! the beautiful song "Myfanwy" in bothWelsh and English is one of my favouritesand the acoustics in my shower lend themselves very well to give this lovelysong, just that something extra, by a kiwi....It is haunting and such a joy to listento when sung by a real welsh male choir....
Fri Oct 10 09:49:39 2008

Charles Nunn from Swansea.
During the Great War, Battalions of three Welsh Regiments. The Welsh; Royal Welsh Fusiliers and South Wales Borderers were almost wiped out in an attack on Mametz Wood in the summer of 1916.The 14th. Battalion (Swansea Pals) of the Welsh Regiment suffering 100 killed and 300 wounded from a strength of seven hundred.It is said that the Regiments sang, in Welsh, "Jesu Lover of my Soul" words by John Wesley and to the tune Aberystwyth by Joseph Parry before leaving the trenches to face almost certain death or wounds.A wonderful red Welsh Dragon memorial now stands near the wood.
Thu Jul 3 11:46:55 2008

D. Bodily - Iona, ID, USA
Where can you buy Joseph Parry's music?
Tue Jun 10 09:21:58 2008

Courtney from Vancouver
I am a Canadian with Welsh heritage and met a couple of Welshman last night and one of them sang me "Myfanwy" in both Welsh and English. Both versions were beautiful and I was deeply moved as Myfanwy is my middle name after my father's mother.
Thu May 29 09:17:58 2008

Bob Walker, Whitby New Zealand
To Allan Griffith, Paraparam, NZIt may be too late but we have a four part T1T2B1B2 version which we will be singing in the Gymanfa Ganu in Wellington in June. We have the score- if you'd like to c it why not join our wellington Male voice Choir?ciao
Thu Mar 27 10:30:23 2008

Ian Wayte - Machen
I sent an e-mail to BBC Llandaff Cardiff, asking if there was a dvd/video of Off To Philadelphia In The Morning, owing to "contractual difficulties" there is no such material available, though I have a video of the original series,which I recorded myself.
Wed Feb 13 10:01:09 2008

Terry Kelly from Lowestoft
Is there a video/DVD of "off to Philadelphia in the Morning" My mother came fro Dowlais and her sister lived next to Cyfarthfa Ironworks in Llewellyn St. My great grandfather worked at Cyfarthfa Iron Works as did his children. He also lived in Chapel Row, Georgetown from 1845.
Mon Jan 7 08:39:22 2008

G.Smith, Merthyr Tydfil
I am well acquainted with joseph parrys birth place as a friend of mine used to live in the house before it became a museum ,and although i am not a welsh speaker i have learned the words of myfanwy in welsh and english, i accompany with guitar it gives me a great sense of welsh pride to sing and play it in front of other people.
Mon Dec 24 14:36:36 2007

William Jenkins - Ton Pentre Rhondda
I am trying to obtain a copy of Off to Philadelphia in the Morning - Can anyone help ?
Mon Dec 17 08:13:48 2007

Steven Rhodes, London
While I'm sure Myfanwy sounds better in Welsh, can I caution against any canon that only a Welsh lyric should suit a Welsh tune? My evidence? Why 'Aberystwyth' of course - a really magnificent tune of passion and anxious urgency which perfectly suits the words written by Wesley, in English, at a time of great personal and physical vulnerability. It's a near unparalleled matching of words to text and a superb tune to sing; a minor masterpiece and somewhat under-celebrated.
Mon Dec 17 08:11:55 2007

Julie James Talbot Green
I would love to have a copy of the series Off to Philadelphia in the Morning as my late grandmother played a part in it. I would love to see it again. Does anyone know where I can obtain a copy.
Mon Dec 10 09:13:00 2007

Lyn McCallum, Cheshire
To A. Griffith. New ZealandI recently listened to Myfanwy, played by an Accordion Orchestra (15 players). I may be able to get the sheet music if you still want it.
Mon Nov 5 17:54:26 2007

Geoff Driver - Spain
Myfanwy will always be a favourite of mine. But a word for the English! I sang with the Dodworth W.M.C choir in the late 60's and I am sure this is included in their recording - in English! I listed to it from the Morristone RFC in Nerja (in Welsh), in Spain last night!
Wed Oct 31 13:29:47 2007

Jimi Thomas
I am desperate to obtain a copy of "Off to Philadelphia in the morning", the BBC life story of Joseph Parry. Can anyone hlep please?
Mon Oct 1 08:51:30 2007

Janet Pyne, Llanharan
I used to live yards from St. Augustines Church in Penarth which I regularly attended. Joseph Parry's grave is a white stone with a harp on top of it. It is clearly visible from the air as I have an aerial photograph of the area and can see the stone. A local firm of stone masons cleaned the stoned a few years ago and have undertaken to keep it in good repair in the future.
Fri Aug 31 11:12:14 2007

Reg Jenkins, Hove
Of all the folk songs taught me in a Cardiff all-age school before the war Myfanwy is the one which still ' gets ' me even tho' I can't recall the words. If Katherine Jenkins were to sing it I'd dissolve in tears I think. But it's a wonderful antidote to those damned dishes.
Mon Aug 13 09:46:52 2007

Andrew Thomas, Aberfan
To Tricia from Pontlottyn - if you want a copy of the BBC series "Off to Philadelphia in the Morning", you could try the BBC Archive or the archive of the British Film Institute in London on the following website - www.bfi.org.uk/nftva/

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Alan Griffith Paraparaumu New Zealand
I am trying to find a score for the tune Myfanwy which featured in a broadcast on Radio New Zealand's Concert Programme yesterday. Can anyone help?It does not seem to be on any of the common websites for church music.
Tue Jul 10 09:58:06 2007

Linda Davies
Please can you tell me where I can get a copy of 'Off to Philadelphia in the morning' the series about Joseph Parry
Mon Jun 25 09:02:36 2007

Derek Thomas Aber expat
I remember helping/hindering my uncle, Bill Snook, who was the Props man on "Back to Philadelphia in the morning". BBC Wales filmed in the Castle grounds in Aberystwyth and I'd love to see the series again. During the scene where he was made bard I have the dubious honor of spray painting the scabbard of the sword. Also when my late father did his national service he was on a troop ship arriving in Palestine in 1948. It was Sunday morning and during Church Parade the hymn tune Aberystwyth was played. He and another 18 year old from Aber cried their eyes out, and who can blame them.
Thu May 17 11:00:07 2007

Christine form Neath
Could you please provide the Welsh and English words for Myfanwy. My daughter in law is from New York, her parents were over before Christmas and enjoyed our welsh songs. Actually when they were married in New York 6 years ago we sang Calon Lan in English at their wedding.
Mon May 14 09:45:55 2007

Merthyr Boy
I've got a copy of "Off to Philadelphia in the morning".You would be welcome to have a copy of it. Joseph Parry's childhood sweetheart Myfanwy Llewellyn is the subject of the Love Song/nb not hymn.Myfanwy.She was born in Merthyr's "China" of a Welsh fatherDick Llewellyn and an Irish mother.Dick Llewellyn was blinded in the Cyfarthfa Iron works and was reputed to be a very good singer.Myfanwy took her father by the hand and led him around the Town where he would sing for small money.She was in rags and very poor.The story is Joseph composed Myfanwy in her honour after meeting her in later life.She died of! T B after having a singing career herself as Lena Van Ellen,she was successful singing in London.Attempts to find her grave have been unsuccessful but I would love to hear the Welsh choirs combining to sing this wonderful love song in front of Cyfarthfa Castle where they both stood as children before you and I was born and Wales was really Welsh.
Tue Mar 27 08:46:57 2007

Tricia from Pontlottyn
I really want to track down a video/dvd of the t.v series 'Off to Philadelphia in the morning' (1980's series? ) about Joseph Parry's life. Would love to here from anyone who knows where I can get one for my mam.
Wed Mar 7 09:43:34 2007

A Parry, Colorado
Do you have any information as to children or relatives that he bore.
Thu Oct 19 09:38:18 2006

Dinah Pye Aberdare
Active Music Services, based in Aberdare, has purchased the complete Choral Catalogue and Choral Stock from Swales who recently closed in Haverfordwest. The complete Joseph Parry Archive is now contained in the Choral Music Centre in Wales catalogue launched by Dr Alwyn Humphreys MBE at the Wales Millennium Centre on Friday 22nd September.
Fri Sep 22 09:24:16 2006

Angharad Roche
I love this piece- it is one of the finest examples of Welsh music and it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it sung! When I die (like, in years time) I would like to bow out to this tune!!
Mon Sep 18 12:01:37 2006

Heaton, Malcolm
I am a Welsh Canadian, a tenor and have been asked to sing at a Michigan US gathering of the Welsh. Could you please suggest any (church) solos that would be appropriate for me to sing in Welsh? I studied music in Wales, Canada and in Michigan and can pronounce Welsh quite well but a non speaker. Thankyou!
Mon Aug 21 09:46:34 2006

J Kershaw in Cardiff
Shameless plug this one, but I'm sure it will be positively received. I manage a new music shop in Cardiff, which has an extensive range of welsh vocal music, since we have acquired almost the entire sheet music stock from Swales Music Centre in Haverfordwest, who closed (after 4 decades of distinguished trading) earlier this year. Our Shop is called "Cardiff Music" and is located in the Castle Arcade, Cardiff. The song "Myfanwy" is available as a single sheet (SOLFA) with Welsh and English words. Hope this helps someone who wants the music AND the english words!!
Fri Jul 28 07:11:20 2006

Peter Morrow - Cape Town - South Africa
Being of Welsh origin, I find the hymn Myfanwy to be very moving, and would like to learn the words.
Wed May 3 08:42:21 2006

Sue Shanghai
The International Festival Chorus Shanghai surprised me by finding, learning and singing this beautiful song for me, on my birthday. What a present for me born in the Rhondda, and brought up on Welsh tunes, currently living in China. They sang it in Welsh: their nationalities included Thai, Chinese, American, Irish Scots, English. It was quite wonderful.
Sun Nov 13 15:23:29 2005

sally evans - pontarddulais
can anyone tell me the true story behind myfanwy? it is such a wonderful song
Sun Oct 30 21:13:33 2005

Bill Lewis, Georgia, USA
Can you verify that several thousand Welshmen gathered on a hillside to sing "Aberystwyth" upon composer Joseph Parry's death?