Sources of Inspiration

                                                                    Notes from Bishop Saunders Davies

Having sought guidance and inspiration in the Scriptures Bishop Saunders also looked at contemporary Welsh language poets and authors. These are a few examples of those quoted in translation

The Remains and the Remnant

… That is what Cwmystwyth is, Lord,

a village of the skeletons of yesterday and the day before yesterday,

the skeleton of the lead workings,

the skeleton of the chapel,

the skeletons of cottages that reared children

for Wales and for Christ.

It is the valley of the remains.

Is this the valley of the dry bones

That Ezekiel talks about?

Perhaps it is a mirror of other valleys,

indeed of Wales.

We want to pray for one thing, -

show us the difference between

The ‘remains’ and the remnant.’

The remains are in Cwmystwyth.

There is no tomorrow there,

only yesterday and the day before yesterday.

No expectancy, only longing.

Looking back and not looking forward,

that is how the remains always are.

And when we come to look at your church

how sadly true is the picture.

The remnant is different,

There’s a glorious tomorrow in their lively eyes,

hope is electric in their veins.

They want to win the world

and they believe that they can.

They are not losers

but those who see the day dawning from afar.

We know that the Spirit walked through the valley

of the dry bones,

and wrought a miracle.

Will you send the same Spirit,

to turn the remains in every chapel and church

into a remnant …

                                                        (T.J.Davies, ‘Y Gweddill a’r Gweddillion’ translated by Cynthia Saunders Davies)

To illustrate the importance of knowing Jesus, Bishop Saunders referred to the experience of the greatest Welsh hymn-writer of recent years, W.Rhys Nicholas. In one of his poems he admits that he was a conventional minister till he was overwhelmed and transformed by an experience of knowing Jesus.

To Know

Formerly

there was no excitement in the seeing,

nor life nor truth

to bring the wandering feet to the Way;

only the going with the crowd

to preserve the image.

 

The blade of the cliché

gently scratched the skin

without cutting to the quick,

and the light of the glib little sermon

was extinguished at dusk.

But after this,

like the wine of relief after pain

came the hour of Knowing.

 

Through the bannered ranks of the beatitudes

you walked towards me

into the depths of life

when the leaves on the doves’ trees were fresh;

you completely shattered every frame.

 

The lovely is lovelier today

for your sake;

heaven in its clean clothes

comes to the wedding feast

setting all the hedges alight

for your sake.

 

And nothing destroys the gift of the day.

(W. Rhys Nicholas, ‘Adnabod’ translated by Cynthia Saunders Davies)

Out of this personal encounter with Jesus Christ emerged the finest Welsh hymn of our generation which is sung frequently in churches and chapels to the tune ‘Pantyfedwen’.

You did this mighty deed, O Christ, God’s Son,

you gave me joy, anew the race to run;

your Spirit held and guided me along,

forever more I’ll sing the glorious song;

I see the beauty now that can survive,

I feel the touch divine that makes alive:

the Hallelujah has possessed my soul;

to you, O Christ, I give my praises all.

You are my light, O Christ of Calvary;

you beautify the whole of life for me,

the gleaming dawn makes all the shadows flee,

I now have sight where once I could not see;

your gracious life upon my path sheds light,

to cherish you is my supreme delight:

the Hallelujah has possessed my soul;

to you, O Christ, I give my praises all.

To you belongs all honour, holy One,

life’s purpose can be found in you alone,

your word sustains and moves in every sphere,

O Mary’s Son, in you the far is near;

To you belongs the praise creation sings,

and I behold your glory in all things:

the Hallelujah has possessed my soul;

to you, O Christ, I give my praises all.

(W. Rhys Nicholas, ‘Tydi a wnaeth y wyrth, O Grist, Fab Duw’ 
translated by J.H. Griffiths. 
Both versions are published in Caneuon Ffydd, the new Welsh ecumenical hymnbook.)

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