31 October 2021

In a special edition of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol tonight (31 October), the results of a viewers' poll to find a Hymn for Wales 2021 will be revealed.

Huw Edwards announced that Bro Aber was voted to the top spot by S4C viewers.

More than 1,100 votes were received after the popular series Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol (Begin to sing, begin to praise) launched the opinion poll back in the summer.

The hymns which reached the top 10 were performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the conductorship of Owain Arwel Hughes and a choir of 60 people from all over Wales to mark Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol's 60th birthday this year.

Huw Edwards said: "Everybody has their favourite hymn and it's an impossible task to chose considering we the Welsh could list so many hymns that deserve to win.

"It's good to see that a comparatively modern hymn has reached the top spot."

Delyth Morgans Phillips, who specialises in hymns said: "This is a congregational hymn – one of the best of the second half of the 20th Century.

"It was commissioned for the Anglesey National Eisteddfod in 1983 for the Composing a Hymn Tune competition. It's a powerful hymn, which lifts us and the words and music go together perfectly."

It was also revealed that In Memoriam came a very close second with only a handful of votes in it, according to the vote.

1. Bro Aber

2. In Memoriam

3. Gwahoddiad

4. Rhys

5 Arwelfa

6. Tydi a roddaist

7. Ellers

8. Coedmor

9. Dim ond Iesu a Sirioldeb

10. Bryn Myrddin

Because two hymns were equal ninth, we hear an excellent performance of the 11 popular hymns.

Also during the programme, a new competition will be announced for a hymn-writing competition with a prize of £200.

The winner will be announced in the St David's Day edition of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol when a competition to compose a hymn tune to go with the new hymn's words will be launched.

For further information visit https://www.s4c.cymru/cy/cerddoriaeth/dechrau-canu...

Here are the results of the poll:

1. Bro Aber (162)

2. In Memoriam (156)

3. Gwahoddiad (100)

4. Rhys (78)

5. Arwelfa (76)

6. Tydi a roddaist (60)

7. Ellers (57)

8. Coedmor (51)

9. Dim ond Iesu (41) + Sirioldeb (41)

11. Bryn Myrddin (40)

12. Clawdd Madog (36)

13. Ty Ddewi (34)

14. Builth (33)

15. Cwm Rhondda (32)

16. Blaenwern (29)

17. Pennant (27)

18. Pantyfedwen (23)

19. Penmachno (19)

20. Godrer Coed (11)

Total - 1,107 votes.