"Men of Harlech" or "The March of the Men of Harlech" is a song and military
march which is traditionally said to describe events during the seven-year
siege of Harlech Castle between 1461 and 1468. Commanded by Constable Dafydd ap
Ieuan, the garrison withstood the longest known siege in the history of
the British Isles. "Through Seven Years" is an alternative name for the song. The
song has been incorrectly associated with the earlier, shorter siege of
Harlech Castle around 1408, which pitted the forces of Owain Glyndŵr against the
future Henry V of England. "Men of Harlech" occupies an important
place in Welsh national culture. The song gained international recognition
when it was featured prominently in the 1964 film Zulu.
History The music was first published without
words in 1794 as Gorhoffedd Gwŷr Harlech—March of the Men of Harlech in
the second edition of The Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards but
it is said to be a much earlier folk air. The earliest version of the tune to
appear with lyrics, found thus far, comes from a broadside printed c. 1830.
Since then, many different versions of the English lyrics have appeared. It
first appeared with Welsh lyrics in Gems of Welsh Melody, edited by the Welsh
poet, John Owen, published in London, England and Wrexham, Wales in 1860. An
edition containing Welsh and English lyrics was published in Ruthin, Wales,
in 1862. The song was published in Volume II of the 1862 collection Welsh
Melodies with the Welsh lyrics by the Welsh poet John Jones, and the English
lyrics by Thomas Oliphant, President of the Madrigal Society. Another source
attributes the Welsh words to the poet John Ceiriog Hughes, first published in
1890, and says that English words were first published in 1893, but this is
clearly predated by the earlier publications.
Use and versions of the song Men of Harlech is widely used as a
regimental march, especially by British Army and Commonwealth regiments
historically associated with Wales. Notably, it is the slow march of the
Welsh Guards, and the quick march of the Royal Welsh.
It was first used on film during the titles of How Green Was My Valley and
has featured in a number of other films. It is best known for its prominent role
in the 1964 film Zulu, although the version of lyrics sung in it were
written specially for the film. It is sung twice, only once completely, in the
film, in counterpoint to the Zulu war chants and the sounds of their shields.
Film editor John Jympson cut the scene to the song so that on either side of
cuts where the British soldiers cannot be heard, the song is in the correct
relative position. Rick Rescorla, Chief of Security for
Morgan Stanley's World Trade Center office, sang a Cornish adaptation of
"Men of Harlech" with a bullhorn, along with other anthems, to keep employee
spirits high while they evacuated during the September 11 attacks. After helping
save over 2,700 employees he returned to the towers to evacuate others until the
towers collapsed on him. "Men of Harlech" was used as part of the
startup music for ITV station Teledu Cymru in the early 1960s and, until
April 2006, in Fritz Spiegl's BBC Radio 4 UK Theme.
Adapted versions are sung by fans of several Welsh football clubs and as
school or college songs around the world. The song was played by the
marching band of Punahou School, Barack Obama's alma mater, at his second
inauguration in 2013. There is a humorous parody known
variously as "National Anthem of the Ancient Britons" and "Woad", written
some time before 1914 by William Hope-Jones.
Lyrics There are numerous versions of "Men of
Harlech", and there is no single accepted English version. The version
below was published in 1873. = John Oxenford version=
An earlier version is thus:- = Thomas Oliphant version=
See also Rick Rescorla#September 11, 2001
References Sources
Volkslieder, German & Other Folk Songs Homepage Men of Harlech
External links "Men of Harlech - Slow March of the
Welsh Guards" on YouTube Free typeset sheet music—various
arrangements from Cantorion.org Men of Harlech—various versions of
lyrics Royal Regiment of Wales' Band singing
"Men of Harlech"—recording, using John Guard lyrics, in the church at Rorke's
Drift, South Africa on the 120th anniversary of the Battle of Rorke's
Drift.