Singing in Chains: Listening to Welsh Verse

by Mererid Hopwood

'Though I sang in my chains like the sea.' This may be one of Dylan Thomas's most famous lines, but how many know that it is an example of cynghanedd, one of the world's oldest verse forms? And that that verse form is a uniquely Welsh one? Cynghanedd means harmony, and it is the music of Welsh poetry throughout the ages that Mererid Hopwood celebrates in this accessible handbook. Originally published in 2004, this new edition with a Foreword by Professor M. Wynn Thomas includes refinements which take into account some of the developments in the poetry scene in Wales over the last decade, not least the new formats it has found on social media. Professor Mererid Hopwood is one of Wales's most popular and highly respected authors, not least because of her exploits at the National Eisteddfod, where she has won all three of the major literary prizes, namely the Chair, the Crown and the Prose Medal. A former Children's Poet Laureate of Wales, she is also much in demand as a lecturer, creative-writing tutor and broadcaster.

Genres: Poetry

106 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Mererid Hopwood is a Welsh poet, who became in 2001 the first woman to win the bardic Chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. She has also won the Crown (in 2003) and the Prose Medal (2008), making her the only woman to have won all three of the major Eisteddfodd prozes.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely wonderful. An exploration of poetry of which I had no knowledge or experience. It came complete with a CD of the author reading some of the verse and the lilt and flow of the words, though totally incomprehensible to me as they were in welsh, was a lovely opportunity to hear something different

[katiaenr · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very fascinating and clear introduction to the beautiful art of cynghanedd/strict metre poetry!

[Liam Guilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discussion of Cynghanedd that manages to be both thorough and easy to follow. The audio files are a distinct plus as Hopwood makes the point repeatedly that for all its complexity this is a poetry designed to be heard.

[Vcmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book, setting out clearly the various forms of Cynghanedd. So inspiring and full of excellent examples of Cynghanedd.