Discover Welsh Christmas Magic in Poetry!
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Welsh poetry often brings landscape, folklore and community memory together. In these two poems, Arthur Cole turns to a hilltop village, a tragic love story, the Mari Lwyd and one of Wales’s fastest folk heroes.
The poems are presented in expandable sections, making them easier to read on a phone without losing their full text.
1. Llangynwyd: village, love and folklore
Llangynwyd is a historic hilltop village in South Wales. Its churchyard, medieval character and surrounding landscape have helped make it a setting for some of Wales’s best-known local stories.
One is the tragic tale of Ann Maddocks, the Maid of Cefn Ydfa, and the poet Wil Hopcyn. Their forbidden love has become part of the village’s cultural identity.
The area is also strongly associated with the Mari Lwyd, the winter custom in which a decorated horse’s skull is carried from door to door. Songs, challenges and playful exchanges turn the visit into a lively community performance.
Y Fari Lwyd means the Grey Mare. The form Mari changes to Fari after the feminine article y.
2. Llangynwyd by Arthur Cole
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Llangynwyd
By Arthur Cole
Storm clouds gather, whilst lost souls rest,
in a village of beauty, a medieval bequest.
A solitary tree, sheds autumnal leaves,
bowing with respect, on a heavenly breeze.
A graveyard of solace, for those in despair,
quietly reflecting, whilst offering a prayer.
An idyllic retreat, St Cynwyd her founder,
where a story of love, was sadly put asunder.
Steeped in folklore, a legend it became,
‘The Maid of Cefn Ydfa’ shrouded in fame.
Lovers deprived, Ann and Wil their names,
heartbreak and sorrow, a mother to blame.
An annual ‘wassailing’, symbolic and old,
a community gathering, ‘The Mari Lwyd’.
A horse skull on a pole, a Christmas tradition,
knocking on doors, requesting admission.
Then once inside, much havoc created,
jaw snapping antics, comedically orchestrated.
Joviality and song, going well into the night,
a ritual performed, it’s now a community rite.
Steeped in mystique, a world-renowned name,
a jewel in the crown, such historical fame.
This hill top village, stands majestic and proud,
in a valley of song, myth and legend endowed.
3. Guto Nyth Brân: a Rhondda Valley legend
Guto Nyth Brân is the popular name of Griffith Morgan, a runner from Llwyncelyn near Porth. His reported feats became mixed with folklore, turning him into one of Wales’s most enduring sporting legends.
Stories describe him catching a hare, defeating powerful rivals and returning from retirement for one final race. After winning, he is said to have collapsed during the celebrations.
The annual Nos Galan races in Mountain Ash keep the legend alive each New Year’s Eve.
4. Guto Nyth Brân by Arthur Cole
Open the full poem
Guto Nyth Brân
By Arthur Cole
‘Griffith Morgan, better known as Guto Nyth Brân,
was a Welsh athlete. Many of his feats became merged
with legend. Guto was born in Llwyncelyn, Porth,
and his body now rests at St Gwynno Church,
in the Llanwynno forestry.’
Griffith Morgan - aka Guto Nyth Brân,
an athlete of note, a proud Rhondda son,
filled a valley with pride, Guto was second to none.
Guto’s exploits were many, now shrouded in fame,
running like the wind, a legend Guto became.
A wild hare Guto chased, caught it in full flight,
a feat that’s now lauded, a wondrous sight.
Guided by Siân, for money Guto raced,
opponents outwitted, completely outpaced.
Speed was Guto’s forte, having no peers,
rivals dispatched, such a stellar career.
Opponents ran scared, races diminished,
retirement beckoned, a career finished.
For the next few years, a quiet life beckoned,
Siân now his sweetheart, treasuring every second.
Then came a challenger, ‘Prince’ was his name,
a thousand guineas the prize, notoriety to claim.
Guto took up the challenge, without any fear,
twelve miles of toil, would resurrect his career.
Guto took the spoils, putting ‘Prince’ in his place,
much backslapping flurry, at the end of his race.
Guto’s effort took its toll, his heart then gave out,
a back slap from Siân, caused death, not in doubt.
The fastest man of his time, an athlete supreme,
to take Guto’s crown, opponents could only dream.
Each New Year’s Eve, Guto’s memory survives,
‘The Nos Galan’ races, ever keeping it alive.
The legend of Guto, will forever live on,
a Rhondda Valley hero, who was second to none.
5. Poetry as cultural memory
Both poems preserve more than a single story. They connect people with place, seasonal customs, community pride and the way historical lives become legends.
Expandable poem panels make the long verses easier to navigate on mobile while keeping the full works available to readers.
A close-reading prompt
Choose four lines and underline the place-name, sensory image and historical or legendary reference. Then ask what the poem changes by placing those details beside Christmas or winter imagery.
Credit the poet whenever you quote or share an extract; a poem’s cultural subject does not remove the author’s copyright.
Sources and image credits
- People’s Collection Wales: Arthur Cole and the Cefn Ydfa poem
- National Library of Wales catalogue: Cefn Ydfa and Wil Hopcyn material
- Visit Wales: Guto Nyth Brân and Nos Galan
- Image rights: Image record: any file not individually credited above is a legacy asset served from the Welsh Words Shopify media library. Its creator and licence are not stated in this article; confirm the source record before external reuse.
- Copyright note: Poem rights: the poems are credited to Arthur Cole and remain copyrighted to the author. Confirm the site’s publication permission before syndicating or reproducing them elsewhere.
