Plethyn is a

Welsh language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language family, Celtic language of the Brittonic languages, Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut P ...

folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...

group that was at their zenith between 1978 and 1995. The members are Linda Healy, Roy Griffiths and John Gittins. The three members originate from near Meifod,

Montgomeryshire Montgomeryshire, also known as ''Maldwyn'' ( cy, Sir Drefaldwyn meaning "the Shire of Baldwin's town"), is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It is named after its county tow ...

, in mid-Wales. Roy Griffiths and Linda Griffiths are brother and sister, while Gittins was born on a neighbouring farm. They specialise in the close harmonies of the

plygain ''Plygain '' is a traditional Welsh Christmas service which takes place in a church between three and six o'clock in the morning, traditionally on Christmas morning. The word 'plygain' possibly comes from the Latin word ''pullicantio, ''meaning 'w ...

tradition. Most of their songs are arrangements of traditional songs, but some of them are new, often including lyrics by

Myrddin ap Dafydd Myrddin ap Dafydd (born 25 July 1956) is a Welsh writer, publisher and chaired bard. In 2018 he was elected Archdruid of Wales. Myrddin ap Dafydd was born in Llanrwst, north Wales. He was educated in the town's schools and at the University Col ...

Elfed Lewys Elfed is a Welsh language place name and personal name. It commonly refers to one of two geographic areas: *The Kingdom of Elfed (English: ''Elmet''), an Old Welsh kingdom in what is now northern England during the Early Middle Ages * Elfed, a cy ...

had a significant influence on the group when he came to the area as a minister. On earlier recordings they accompany themselves on guitar, mandolin, whistle and accordion; on later recordings they are joined by other instrumentalists. ''Plethyn'' is the Welsh word for "braid", "plait" (as in three strands) or "bond".

Discography

Albums

*''Blas y Pridd'' *''Golau Tan Gwmwl'' *''Rhown Garreg ar Garreg'' *''Byw a Bod'' *''Drws Agored'' *''Teulu'r Tir'' *''Caneuon Gwerin i Blant'' *''Seidir Ddoe''

Compilations

*''Blas y Pridd/Golau Tan Gwmwl'' *''Goreuon Plethyn'' (2003)

References

Welsh folk musicians {{UK-band-stub