Viewers of the S4C series Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol have chosen Pantyfedwen as their favourite hymn for 2012.
The hymn came top in a vote held by the TV series during February, where viewers were asked to choose their favourite hymn out of a shortlist of twenty compiled by a panel of experts.
The results were revealed in a special edition of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol on S4C on Sunday 11 March.
The programme was recorded at Pafiliwn Bont, Pontrhydfendigaid on 11 March, with Alwyn Humphreys leading the singing.
"We had a great Cymanfa Ganu, with an excellent orchestra and many special arrangements. There was some passionate singing and a special atmosphere at the pavilion," says Alwyn.
But what does he think of the viewers' choice for the 2012 Hymn for Wales?
"The hymn Pantyfedwen is relatively new, and the words and melody have captured the imagination of Welsh people in a unique way in recent years. In the past 50 years Pantyfedwen and Bro Aber are the only two hymns that have appealed to people in this way.
"The combination of the tune and words - and especially ‘Mae’r Haleliwia yn fy enaid i’ (Translation: The Hallelujah in my soul) – stirs people and makes people open up. After all, we are all looking for the Hallelujah in our lives."
According to Avanti, the production company responsible for the series, the special voting postcards, which were distributed all over Wales, have been arriving back at the production office on a daily basis.
But, given the popularity of the series among the Channel’s older viewers, the team were surprised to see how many chose to cast their vote through the website.
Series Producer Dafydd Parry says, "It seems that we have a strong contingency of silver surfers in Wales given the numbers who have been visiting the Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol website to cast their vote."
You can watch the programme again on S4C's on-demand service Clic - s4c.co.uk/clic
