In May 2024, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet and tour with David, Richard, and William, who are based in the USA. Richard was inspired to write a song about St. Dwynwen's well on Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey. He has graciously shared his story and experience in a blog for Celticos. Be check out the song (link below)!
Richard Hinton:
It was our great fortune to travel the North of Wales with Celticos in May of 2024. John got us out to edge of sea, top of mountains, and to the welcoming nooks of small village pubs. Along the way we were washed in history and tales, food and drink, and the Welsh language. All these served to give this trip such an incredible sense of time and place.
Looking from Ynys Llanddwyn back toward the peaks about Yr Wyddfa was magical. I was particularly taken by Saint Dwynwen and her story of love, distress, and devotion.
By trade I am a sports orthopedic surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. I also run a musical nonprofit organization called the Common Man Project. Our mission is to motivate people to find joy through their own hands and investment in themselves. Alot of our music springs from hiking on the edges of the world and the reflections which that can bring.
Dwynwen’s Well is a song from our recently released LP, entitled Longings (available on the enclosed link or Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services under Common Man Project). Set in long-ago Wales, an imperfect mortal seeks perfect love. But, in this life is such love real or only imaginary? “But are you only of the song, just lyric in my rhyme, lilt of voice, sigh of love just whispers in the mind?”
In his trials, he turns to Saint Dwynwen (as we all do) to ask: “In the waters what do you see, Dwynwen is there love for me?” If you enjoy the song, share it with your love and social communities for Saint Dwynwen’s Day. The song lyrics are also attached.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3O68Ii3oOKPeYU60xEoU8x?si=317d24e9825b4aea
John was not only a great guide, but also our consultant for the Welsh pronunciations in the song. I hope we are not too far off the mark. I look forward to getting back to your part of the world and a pint with John and his team. Who knows, maybe another song as well.
Best New Year wishes and Happy Saint Dwynwen’s Day to all.
Richard Hinton, MD, MPH
Founder, The Common Man Project
