David of the White Rock (Dafydd y Gareg Wen)

This ancient Welsh air was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd, Caernarfonshire. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his harp and composed this lovely melody, requesting that it be played at his funeral. Lyrics added later by Ceiriog Hughes describe the melody's inspiration. This version for concert band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.