Hyfrydol

Hyfrydol (Welsh pronunciation: [həvˈrədɔl], meaning 'cheerful') is a Welsh hymn tune which appears in a number of Christian hymnals in various arrangements. Composed by Rowland Prichard in 1844, it was originally published in the composer's handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal Cyfaill y Cantorion ("The Singers' Friend"). Prichard composed this hymn tune before he was twenty years old.[1]

Meter and arrangement

Hyfrydol has a metre of 8.7.8.7.D (alternating lines of eight and seven syllables, other examples of which include Blaenwern and Abbot's Leigh).

The best-known arrangement is probably that by Ralph Vaughan Williams, which he originally produced for his revision of the English Hymnal; Vaughan Williams also composed some variations on this theme.

In addition to its use as a hymn tune, "Hyfrydol" has been arranged for brass bands and other instrumental groups.

Settings

Hyfrydol has been used as a setting for William Chatterton Dix's hymn "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!", Charles Wesley's "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling", "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story", and "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus," as well as many other hymns from a variety of faith traditions.

Online hymns set to Hyfrydol

• John Wilber Chapman's "Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners" [2]
• The Latter-day Saint Hymn "In Humility, Our Savior" [3]
• "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!" [4]
• Alternate arrangement of "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!" from the Episcopal 1982 Hymnal [5]
• "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" [6]
• "Earth was Given as a Garden" [7]
• "Blue Boat Home" lyrics by Peter Mayer [8]
• "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" [9]
• "Lord of Glory, Who Hast Bought Us" [10]
• "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story" [11]
• "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken" [12]