When Dafydd Iwan wrote Yma o Hyd in 1983, he captured a defiant spirit of survival that would echo across rugby stadiums, football pitches, and cultural festivals for decades. Translating directly to "We're Still Here," the song is much more than a catchy folk anthem. It is a historical roadmap of Wales, weaving together ancient Roman history, modern political struggle, and the stubborn preservation of the Welsh language.
Understanding the full impact of the song requires looking past the surface translation to examine the specific historical figures, political figures, and cultural idioms hidden within the stanzas.
The Core Meaning and Translation of Yma o Hyd
At its heart, Yma o Hyd is an assertion of cultural resilience. The phrase yma means "here," and o hyd means "still". Put together, it declares that despite centuries of pressure, assimilation, and economic hardship, the Welsh people, their culture, and their language haven't vanished.
Here is how the core chorus translates into English:
We are still here, we are still here, In spite of everyone and everything. In spite of everyone and everything. We are still here.
Rather than a song of quiet reflection, it's written as a battle cry. Iwan constructed the verses to contrast centuries of external threats against the simple, enduring fact that the community remains.
Breaking Down the Verses: History and References
To fully appreciate the lyrics, you have to decode the historical and political references Iwan packs into the song. He moves fluidly from the fourth century to the twentieth century in just a few lines.
Macsen Wledig (Magnus Maximus)
The song opens by invoking Macsen Wledig, the Welsh name for Magnus Maximus, a fourth-century Roman emperor who had deep ties to Britain. According to Welsh tradition and medieval legend, Macsen married a Welsh princess named Elen and left local governance largely in native hands when he marched away from Britain in 383 AD.
Iwan uses this moment as the starting point for Welsh nationhood:
You don't remember Macsen, nobody knows him. One thousand and six hundred years, a time too long to remember. When Magnus Maximus left Wales, in the year three-hundred-eight-three, Leaving us a whole nation, and today; look at us!
By anchoring the song to 383 AD, Iwan frames the Welsh identity as one of the oldest continuous cultures in Europe, surviving 1,600 years of shifting geopolitical landscapes.
Old Maggie and Her Crew
Moving from ancient history to modern politics, the second half of the song confronts the grim socioeconomic reality of early-1980s Wales. When the song was released, Wales was suffering through heavy industrial decline, pit closures, and the fallout of the 1979 devolution referendum defeat.
Iwan takes direct aim at Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's administration:
Despite every Dic Siôn Dafydd, Despite old Maggie and her crew, We'll be here until the end of time, And the Welsh language will live!
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Old Fagi (Maggie) refers directly to Margaret Thatcher, whose economic policies devastated Welsh coal mining and steel manufacturing communities.
The Meaning of Dic Siôn Dafydd
Another crucial cultural reference in that stanza is Dic Siôn Dafydd. This is a traditional Welsh archetype—comparable to "Uncle Tom" or a turncoat—describing someone who turns their back on their native heritage, language, and culture to assimilate into English society. By invoking both Thatcher and Dic Siôn Dafydd, Iwan warns against both external political oppression and internal cultural abandonment.
Why the Song Resonates Today
Though released during a period of acute industrial pain in 1983, Yma o Hyd found a massive second life in the modern era. It became the official unofficial anthem of the Football Association of Wales, blasted over stadium speakers before matches and sung with ferocious passion by players and fans alike.
The song endures because it acts as a unifying cultural anchor. Whether people are fighting for the preservation of the Welsh language in schools or cheering on the national sports teams, the lyrics offer a reminder that institutional hardship is temporary, but cultural identity runs deep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Yma o Hyd?
The song was written and recorded by Dafydd Iwan, a prominent Welsh folk singer, cultural icon, and former president of the nationalist political party Plaid Cymru. It was recorded alongside the folk band Ar Log.
Is Yma o Hyd the national anthem of Wales?
No, the official national anthem is Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers). However, Yma o Hyd functions as a modern rallying cry and sports anthem, particularly for the men's national football team.
What language is the song sung in?
The song is performed entirely in Welsh. Its lyrics explicitly celebrate the survival of the Welsh language against historical suppression: "A bydd yr iaith Gymraeg yn fyw!" (And the Welsh language will live!)
Why does the song mention 383 AD?
The year 383 AD marks the departure of Magnus Maximus (Macsen Wledig) from Britain. Iwan uses this date to mark the conceptual beginning of an independent, distinct Welsh identity and nationhood that has endured for over sixteen centuries.
