The Hymns of Ann Griffiths, of Dolwar Fechan, Translated into English Verse

“DULCES MORIENS REMINISCITUR ARGOS.”

Forty years lived in Lancashire have not lessened my love for Llanfihangel yng Nghwnfa, where my father, the Rev. Richard Pughe, of Mathafarn descent, B.A., and a Magistrate for Co. Montgomery [ob. Jan. 30th, 1858, in his sixty-sixth year], was for twenty-nine years the Rector,—where also my brother-in-law, the Rev. Edward Evans, B.A. [ob. Nov. 3rd, 1899, aged eighty-six], was Rector thirty-nine years.

Dolwar Fechan, a little, lonely farm house in their old Parish, was the birthplace and abode of one who composed such pathetic hymns as will last while the British language endures: her obelisk in Llanfihangel Churchyard bears an Epitaph recording its erection, in 1864,

“IN MEMORY OF ANN GRIFFITHS, OF DOLWAR FECHAN, Born 1776, Died 1805.”

while a verse from the PROVERBS, xxxi, 30:—“Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth The Lord, she shall be praised,” fitly prefaces her Biography by the late Mr. Morris Davies, of Bangor.

Old Dolwar Fechan cannot now be found,— Its fabric has been levelled with the ground. Nevertheless, imperishable fame Perpetuates that humble homestead’s name; For there was born,—there dwelt, declined and died, Ripe for the reapers at God’s Harvest Tide, A mother,—but ten months before, a bride,— Ann Griffiths,—whose effusions will be sung So long as our old language lives among The wooded wilds, the waterfalls and vales Of “Home, Sweet Home!” Incomparable Wales!