Help
Skip to main content

John Hughes

Born: 22nd November 1873, Dowlais, Wales

Died: 14th May 1932, Llantwit Fardre, Wales

Nationality: Welsh

John Hughes was a Welsh composer of hymn tunes. He is most widely known for the tune Cwm Rhondda.

Hughes was born in Dowlais, and brought up in Llanilltud Faerdref (in English: Llantwit Fardre), Pontypridd. At the age of 12 he began work in Glynn Colliery in his home town and subsequently became a clerk at the Great Western Colliery Pontypridd where he worked for over 40 years. He served as a deacon and leader of the congregational singing in Salem Baptist Chapel in Llanilltud Faerdref.

The first version of his famous tune "Cwm Rhondda", originally named "Rhondda", was written in 1905 for the Cymanfa Ganu (hymn festival) in Pontypridd, when the enthusiasm of the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival still remained.