DAVID LLOYD GEORGE EXHIBITION 1863-1945 March 1995

Department of Pictures and Maps

Exhibition

LLOYD GEORGE AND THE EISTEDDFOD

During the 1920s Lloyd George's links with Wales also weakened. He lived at Bron-y-de, a house he bought in Churt, Surrey in 1921. Dame Margaret lived in the family home at Bryn Awelon, Cricieth. But he did not sever his connection with his motherland. He remained interested in Welsh matters and his annual Thursday speech at the National Eisteddfod was a major event.

Extract from a speech by David Lloyd George, first delivered at the Eisteddfod
during the First World War (WAV file)

Part of David Lloyd George's speech delivered at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, held at Aberystwyth in 1916, but which was recorded by him in the 1930s.

Why should we not sing?
Why should we not sing during the war? Why especially should we not sing at this stage of the war? The blinds of Britain are not down yet, nor are they likely to be. The honour of Britain is not dead, her might is not broken, her destiny is not fulfilled. Her ideals have not been shattered by her enemies. She is more than alive, she is more potent, she is greater than she ever was. Her dominions are wider, her influence is deeper, her purpose is more exalted than ever. Why should her children not sing?
I know war means suffering, war means sorrow. Darkness has fallen on many a devoted household. But it has been ordained that the best singer among the birds of Britain should give its song in the night, and according to legend that sweet song is one of triumph over pain. There are no nightingales this side of the Severn, Providence rarely wastes its gifts. We do not need this exquisite songster in Wales, we can provide better. There is a bird in our villages that can beat the best of them, he's called y Cymro. He sings in joy, he sings also in sorrow. He sings in prosperity, he sings also in adversity. He sings at play, he sings also at work. He sings in the sunshine, he sings in the storm. He sings in the day time, he sings also in the night. He sings in peace, why should he not sing in war? Hundreds of wars have swept over these hills, but the harp of Wales has never yet been silenced by one of them. And I should be proud if I had contributed something to keep it in tune during the war by urging you to hold this eisteddfod at Aberystwyth today.

© National Library of Wales
Unidentified photographer, David Lloyd George on the stage
of the pavillion during the Bangor National Eisteddfod, 1915.
(PG2353 Llyfr Ffoto LLGC : NLW Photograph Album 1013 p.54)

© National Library of Wales
Roland Thompson (Dinbych), David Lloyd George addressing
the crowd in the pavillion during the Denbigh National Eisteddfod 1939.
(PG2354/33 Llyfr Ffoto LLGC : NLW Photograph Album 1014)

© National Library of Wales
Roland Thompson (Denbigh), David Lloyd Geroge chatting with
the Archdruid Crwys during the Denbigh National Eisteddfod 1939.
(PZ5673/138 Llyfr Ffoto LLGC : NLW Photograph Album 1323)

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