Côr Meibion Llanelli to record a new ‘battle hymn' for the British Lions

Côr Meibion Llanelli members have been busy rehearsing a new ‘battle hymn’ for the British and Irish Lions rugby team.
And the new version of ‘Men of Harlech’ has received the thumbs-up from two Lions legends, Delme Thomas and Phil Bennett.
The rugby heroes were on hand to hear the unofficial ‘premiere’ of ‘Lions To A Man’, a poem set to the Men of Harlech tune.
“I’m a big fan of Côr Meibion Llanelli and I love listening to them,” said the hero of Llanelli’s famous 9-3 win over New Zealand Delme Thomas. “This new song is very stirring and I am sure people will love it.
The plan is to record ‘Lions To A Man’ and video the recording session. There will be a full edit of the film for You Tube on the internet and the tune will be available for downloads on the iTunes and Android platforms on computers and mobile devices.
“It’s a very exciting project,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. “The ‘boys’ of the choir have had great fun rehearsing ‘Lions To A Man’ and are looking forward to the full recording session.”
The words to ‘Lions To A Man’ come from a poem written by David ‘Ollie’ Ward, a native of Llantrisant now living in Mount Pleasant, Swansea.
Mr Ward, who served in the Lifeguards Household Cavalry for 12 years, said: “I set it out as a poem, originally, basically as ‘me’ giving a team talk to the Lions before they take the field of play.
“Then I realised the words would fit as lyrics to the tune of Men of Harlech. I’ve had great help from Peter Williams and his team at Swansea University and I was put in touch with Eifion Thomas, who has done a marvellous job on the musical arrangement.
“As a serviceman I’ve ridden for The Queen at official ceremonies and done the armoured side of cavalry work with tours of places like Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
“I’m probably more nervous and excited today, though, at hearing my words sung by a great choir like Côr Meibion Llanelli.”
Mr Ward, 54, added: “To my mind the anthem God Save The Queen should be kept as a salute to the monarch. The idea of ‘Lions To A Man’ is that it is a stirring battle hymn to prepare the Lions for the contest on the field of play.”
The plan is to donate proceeds from the sale of downloads of the tune to a number of British and Irish charities.

Photo: Côr Meibion Llanelli conductor Eifion Thomas, David ‘Ollie’ Ward, Delme Thomas, Phil Bennett, Côr Meibion Llanelli chairman Mel Harries and accompanist Sarah Thomas, together with members of Côr Meibion Llanelli at their rehearsal at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli.

Weblinks –
http://llanellimalechoir.co.uk
http://www.lionsrugby.com/

Key facts about Côr Meibion Llanelli -
Côr Meibion Llanelli was formed in the village of Bynea under the baton of the late Denver Phillips BA. in 1964.
The choir’s longest-serving music director is the present holder of the baton, D Eifion Thomas, who has helped the choir grow in stature and strength to become one of the leading male choirs in Britain.
They have been successful at all the major choral competitions that Wales has to offer.
The honours list includes five National Eisteddfod first prizes - at Lampeter in 1984, Fishguard in 1986, Llandeilo in 1996, Bridgend in 1998 and Llanelli in 2000.
The roll-call of wins also records seven firsts at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, six firsts at Cardigan and three Pontrhydfendigaid "Eisteddfodau".
The choir was successful in winning the Corwen Choral Competition at its first attempt in 1987.
The Llanelli Male Choir has graced many leading auditoriums and concert halls in the land - London's Royal Albert Hall and Festival Hall, Birmingham's Town and Symphony Halls, Oxford Town Hall, Plymouth's Guild Hall, The MacRoberts Centre at Stirling, as well as Cardiff's St David's Hall and Swansea's Brangwyn Hall.
Cathedrals have also featured high on the choir’s touring list - Coventry, Bury St Edmunds, Wells, Brecon, Gloucester, St David's and Llandaff cathedrals have been concert venues, as well as Westminster Abbey.
The choir has travelled extensively throughout the world – Germany, Canada, USA. France, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.
The choristers have thousands of pounds for charities such as Cancer and Leukaemia Research, The Red Cross, Heart Foundation and Tenovus as well as local charities and school groups.
The choir’s future is secure and their motto of "Ymlaen Llanelli" will surely hold the choristers in good stead for another 40 years!
The choir rehearses twice weekly on Monday and Thursday evenings at Furnace Community Hall, 7pm start. Visitors and new members are welcome.