JONES, DAFYDD (1711 - 1777), hymn-writer

Born 1711 at Cwm-gogerddan, Caeo, Carmarthenshire, son of Daniel John, drover. He too was a drover, and was converted in Troed-rhiw-dalar chapel while returning home after a cattle-drove. He joined the Crug-y-bar Independent church of which he was a prominent member for the rest of his life. He married (1) Ann Jones of Llanddewibrefi, and (2) - Price of Hafod Dafolog, Llanwrda. He went to Hafod to live c. 1763 and died 30 August 1777; he was buried at Crug-y-bar.

He is remembered as a hymn-writer. A hymn written by him appeared in one of the parts of Williams of Pantycelyn's Aleluia , 1747. He began to translate into Welsh the psalms and hymns of Isaac Watts and these were published in two volumes: Salmau Dafydd, 1753 (2nd imp., 1766) and Hymnau a Chaniadau Ysprydol, 1775. He also translated Watts's Divine Songs which he published in 1771 under the title Caniadau Dwyfol. Moreover, he published three volumes of original hymns under the title Difyrrwch i'r Pererinion, 1763, 1764, and 1770. There are some lyrics in these volumes and, after his death, two were published in ballad form. There is also an elegy, Marwnad Enoch Ffransis , written by him which was published in 1774. His translations of Watts's psalms were very popular at one time and several of them are still found in the principal modern collections. Many of his hymns continue to be sung.

Author

• Reverend Gomer Morgan Roberts, (1904 - 1993)

Sources

• J. R. Kilsby Jones, 'Dafydd Jones, o Gaio,' Y Traethodydd, 1849, 370-87
• 'Yr Emynwyr Cymreig,' Yr Adolygydd, Mawrth 1852, 475-95
• G. M. Roberts, Dafydd Jones o Gaeo (Aberystwyth 1948)

Works

• Dafydd Jones, Difyrrwch i'r pererinjon o fawl i'r Oen: Néu, Gasgljád o hymnau ar amryw ystyrjaethau, a thestynau allan o'r Ysgrythur Lan (Caerfyrddin 1763)

Additional Links

• VIAF: 58770231
• Wikidata: Q18535738

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/