John Hughes (22 November 1873 – 14 May 1932) was a Welsh composer of

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' d ...

tunes. He is most widely known for the tune

Cwm Rhondda Cwm Rhondda is a popular hymn tune written by John Hughes (1873–1932) in 1907. The name is taken from the Welsh name for the Rhondda Valley. It is usually used in English as a setting for William Williams' text "Guide Me, O Thou Great ...

. Hughes was born in

Dowlais Dowlais () is a village and Community (Wales), community of the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. At the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census the electoral ward had a population of 6,926, The populati ...

, and brought up in Llanilltud Faerdref (in English:

Llantwit Fardre Llantwit Fardre () is a large village and community (and electoral ward) situated on the A473, Pontypridd to Bridgend, road near the Welsh towns of Pontypridd and Llantrisant. Llantwit Fardre is also the name of the old parish and the community ...

), Pontypridd. At the age of 12 he began work in Glynn Colliery in his home town and subsequently became a clerk at the Great Western Colliery

Pontypridd Pontypridd ( , ), Colloquialism, colloquially referred to as ''Ponty'', is a town and a Community (Wales), community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre. Geography Pontypridd comprises the ...

where he worked for over 40 years. He served as a

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Cathol ...

and leader of the congregational singing in Salem

Baptist Baptists are a Christian denomination, denomination within Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers (believer's baptism) and doing so by complete Immersion baptism, immersion. Baptist churches ge ...

Chapel in Llanilltud Faerdref. The first version of his famous tune "Cwm Rhondda", originally named "Rhondda", was written in 1905 for the Cymanfa Ganu (hymn festival) in Pontypridd, when the enthusiasm of the

1904–1905 Welsh Revival The 1904–1905 Welsh revival was the largest Christian revival in Wales during the 20th century. It was one of the most dramatic in terms of its effect on the population, and triggered revivals in several other countries. The movement kept the c ...

still remained. The present form was developed for the inauguration of the organ at Capel Rhondda, in

Hopkinstown Hopkinstown () is a small village to the west of Pontypridd in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, alongside the River Rhondda. Hopkinstown is a former coalmining and industrial community, now a district in the town of Pontypridd wit ...

in the Rhondda valley, in 1907. Hughes himself played the organ at this performance, using the English translation of William Williams' words because of the large number of English-speaking industrial workers who had immigrated to the area. Cwm Rhondda was put to words of William Williams 'Arglwydd arwain trwy'r anialwch' which translated as Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, one of the most celebrated of Welsh hymns it continues 'pilgrims through this barren land', referring to the plight of the Children of Israel condemned to wander in the desert wilderness. Popular in Welsh chapels, it became widely used in English services, and is still recalled to this day as one of the best church anthems. A number of his other compositions were popular during his lifetime, but have not lasted. The name was changed from "Rhondda" to "Cwm Rhondda" by Harry Evans, of Dowlais, to avoid confusion with another tune by M. O. Jones. As described by William Jensen Reynolds, Hughes worked his entire life in secular jobs, his worldwide fame as a composer of hymn tunes being the result of a hobby he pursued on the side. Like his father, who had profound effect on him, Hughes participated actively as member and deacon in Tonteg's Salem Baptist Church. He died in

, aged 58.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hughes, John (1873-1932) 1873 births 1932 deaths 19th-century Welsh male musicians Welsh Baptist hymnwriters People from Dowlais Welsh Baptists 19th-century Welsh businesspeople 20th-century Welsh businesspeople Welsh classical composers Welsh male classical composers Welsh classical organists British businesspeople in the coal industry British male classical organists 19th-century Welsh composers 20th-century Welsh composers 20th-century Welsh male musicians