Men of Harlech - Welsh Patriotic Song

"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, when the castle was held by the Lancastrians against the Yorkists as part of the Wars of the Roses. 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 also been associated with the earlier, briefer siege of Harlech Castle about 1408, which pitted the forces of Owain Glyndŵr against the future Henry V of England.

"Men of Harlech" is important for Welsh national culture. The song gained international recognition when it was featured in the 1941 movie How Green Was My Valley and the 1964 film Zulu.

The music was first published without words during 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 song. 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 been published. It was published first with Welsh lyrics in Gems of Welsh Melody, edited by the Welsh poet, John Owen (Owain Alaw), published in London, England and Wrexham, Wales, during 1860. An edition containing Welsh and English lyrics was published in Ruthin, Wales, during 1862. The song was published in Volume II of the 1862 collection Welsh Melodies with the Welsh lyrics by the Welsh poet John Jones (Talhaiarn) and the English lyrics by Thomas Oliphant, President of the Madrigal Society.

[Hesopod-wb]

Surprising fact, the zulus who played in this absolutely loved it! They were so happy with the effort the director put into keeping both sides morally equal. Some of the white men who played and produced in this film became strong friends with the locals.

Edit: as an Irishman this makes me uncannily patriotic

[Rory_Herbert]

I have a photo of my great-granduncle on parade with John Williams VC of Rorke's Drift fame.

[SirDrakeFrancis]

That movie scene has a special place in my heart.

[Teddyclaws]

As a Kiwi I love it when the Welsh rugby fans in Cardiff answer the All Black's haka with a rousing rendition of this song. The Haka is cool but this is better.

[lordmogg-wright]

Englishmen here, wishing to tip my hat to my Welsh brethren. Your road signs are confusing, but your hymns are rousing!

[tenburywellsmartin]

If this does not bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye, you are not human.!!...Such pride..!!

[gordonbergslien]

"Who do you think is coming to wipe out your little band, the Genadier Guards?" One of the great lines in movie history! Love this film!

[CountvonCount]

I never realised until recently that Michael Caine had faced a similar real life experience during the Korean war, probably why he sounds so convincing when he shouts "Volley Fire" 👍

[elausraliano]

They showed us this movie when I was doing my corporal course in the army and one of the instructors, who was a bit of an expert on the Zulu Wars, said “that’s the ways wars should be fought”, meaning man-to-man. But another instructor says, “yes, with the other side without bullets!”, to the general laughter of the audience. 😂

[xzliam]

Being a Scotsman who has just visited harlech I’d proudly sing with my British brothers in arms

[youngbess]

My grandmother was born in wales and instilled in me the love of welsh choirs and their beautiful voices.

[tezskin]

ZULU..Incredible Film portraying The battle at Rorke's Drift .Its impossible to imagine the real horrors of armed conflict like this..
Rorke's Drift.
1879..
11 Victoria crosses.
Men of Harlech.
Incredibly Moving.
Rousing deep inside the heart.
Tears trickle. 😢 😢😢.

[forlorn]

They’d never make a film like this today

[leopoldstotch]

I live near the home of one of the real welshmen from this actual battle .. his home has a plaque on it ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[Dylan-plwv]

Im a American but even this got me pumping like "WELSHMEN WILL NEVER YIELD!!! FOR VICTORIA"

[maggiesmith]

A friend of mine bought the Zulu soundtrack album just for this song - and it wasn't there ! Some critics said this scene was absurd, but the Zulus testified that just before thay made their final charge at Islawanda ( the battle they fought just before Roark's Drift, where they slaughtered the British) the soldiers sang God Save The Queen and shook each other's hands. By the way, the song is also sung, in Welsh, in the movie Apache Drums.

[andrewwaldock]

What an incredibly stirring rendition of this mighty ballad. Zulu is a tremendous film and this may well be my favorite compilation of scenes from the movie, as well as my favorite version of Men of Harlech. From this Scots Irish man to my Welsh Celtic kinsmen: you are of such strength in song & story. I salute you.

[magnuswalker]

Eleven VCs won in this encounter and they dont give them out for nothing. Brave lads.

[jg]

Since I first saw it in 1965, one of my all-time favorite movies.

[paulmcgrath]

Tom hanks father's favourite film. he took tom to watch it when it first come out.and he loved Michael caines perfomance (not a lot of people know that)