Here Be Dragons Songs

I don't like goodbyes but I do like goodbye songs. I like the idea of a triumphant goodbye "I don't need you" type song. Not sure I've ever pulled that off in real life though.

(And Did You Know)

The first verse is traditional and fun, mainly because it is an excuse to sing the longest place name in Europe.

I wasn't very happy with the other verses I heard so I wrote new ones. For non Welsh speakers click on the translation. "Llan" means a holy place and there are many in Wales. "Caer" means "Fort/Castle" I guess there were a fair few in England.....

I had an idea about writing a song called "watering the roots" then I remembered a true story about friends Huw and Jane. My mum played the track to Huw who hadn't known I had written it about him, he was pleasantly surprised.

Another friend says his daughter calls the song "Sandwiches in the toilet".

When Cardiff Blues rugby team got to the final of The European Challenge Cup in 2010, Will suggested I write a song to celebrate and to cheer the ream on to success. The song became the official song of The Cardiff Blues Supporters Club for the match. We did re-record the song for the "Gwlad!" album but it didn't make the final cut.

Another true story, well pretty much. Tells of my lack of female conquests despite chances I've had. Hindsight is a wonderful thing...

(On My Own)

"Ar Fy Mhen Fy Hun" means "On My Own". It's the first song I've ever written in Welsh so I'm very proud of the lyrics even if they are very simple.

My father in law, Michael Collins (1937-2015), inspired this song. (Though I'm not saying whether he actually did all the things in the song!) My dad was from Barry too. It's not a pretty town but when Barry's merchant sailor's settle down, they often return home rather than live on some exotic shore.The fiddle tune is called the Glamorgan hornpipe.

We first heard this song at the Pan Celtic festival in Trallee, Ireland. It was at a sing song after the concert sung by a bunch of visitors from North Wales.

Probably the most miserable lyric I've ever written but then I wasn't in a good place when I wrote it. It has been cathartic for me so hopefully it will be for some other people too. If not, sorry. The song does groove quite well if the lyrics don't get you down.

A song celebrating immigration. At the start of the 20th Century South Wales was enriched by the Italian immigrants who opened coffee houses and Ice-cream parlours. The first was a Mr Bracchi. Those who followed were given the same nickname.

A Welsh hymn which is often sung by Male voice choirs and by Rugby supporters in pubs and Rugby stadia. Even though the song is now considered "Traditional", The melody was written by John Hughes (1873 - 1932) and the words by William Williams (1917 - 1791) translated into English by Peter Williams (1723 - 1796)

The reel Richard plays on fiddle is a traditional Welsh tune called "Y Derwydd".

I got the idea for this song in 2016, when the Pope said that Donald Trump wasn't a Christian. He said Christians build bridges not walls. I love the sentiment.

(A Pure Heart)