Dafydd Iwan singing Yma o Hyd at the World Cup play-off between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in June
(Picture: Getty Images)Tattoo parlours are seeing an increase in Yma o Hyd tattoos following Wales’ participation in the World Cup, the BBC has reported.
The Dafydd Iwan song, meaning “we’re still here,” has been adopted as Wales’ World Cup anthem as they compete in the global football extravaganza for the first time in 64 years.
The Welsh-language folk song has long been a rallying cry for Wales. It was first released in 1983 and soon became a popular anthem at Welsh sporting and cultural events.
The song was written while Margaret Thatcher was in power and in response to the unsuccessful Welsh devolution referendum of 1979.
It tells the story of how “despite everyone and everything,” Wales is still here. It includes the lyrics “we’ll be here until the end of time and the Welsh language will survive.”
The BBC quoted James Edwards, 42, as saying his tattoo reflects his Welsh pride, but also something more personal.
“We love the meaning behind it: despite everything that’s been thrown at us as a nation, we’re still here,” he said.
Pic of my first tattoo now fully healed, compared to the first day, and the inspiration behind it in the final pic.
— Huw Wroberts 🏴 #FBIW (@huwtroberts) October 25, 2022
Extremely happy with the outcome. Would very much recommend Three Jacks Tattoo in #Cardiff. Superb from start to finish...#ymaohyd #tattoo #wales @Cymru pic.twitter.com/CiFHfqUdy8
Here it is…new tattoo ❤️#YmaOHyd 🏴 pic.twitter.com/LRX4p3dagO
— Lisa, Peggy a Kitty🏴🌻❤️ (@lLisa_Peggy) August 1, 2022
Diolch Debbie Jones. ❤️ my new addition.
— B R O N W E N (@BronwenLewis_) June 23, 2022
Cymru am byth 🏴 #ymaohyd pic.twitter.com/kD7xefvDYz
Here is my Yma o Hyd tattoo Bron ☺️ I got it in memory of my grandad who loved the song being played at the Wrexham games ♥️🏴 pic.twitter.com/6zp9yl2kzY
— J (@WelshUnderdog) June 23, 2022
Singer Iwan has been in Qatar to lead fans in singing Yma o Hyd in a show of support for Robert Page’s team.
In their final Group B game, Wales will play England at 7pm on Tuesday, November 29, after drawing 1-1 with the USA and losing 2-0 to Iran. The seismic clash has been called “the Battle of Britain”.
Wales, who are bottom of the group with one point, need to beat top-placed England and see the result of the Iran v USA to go their way to reach the knockout stages. Iran are second in Group B on three points, one behind England and one ahead of the USA.
