In the ‘Land of Song and Literature’ that is Wales, what could be more natural than writing music and poetry? So this book is a collection of song lyrics and limericks. It’s also a patchwork quilt of interviews, autobiography and mythology with photographs. It’s primarily a light-hearted look at the worlds of song writing and poetry.
In the ‘Land of Song and Literature’ that is Wales, what could be more natural than writing music and poetry? So this book is a collection of song lyrics and limericks. It is primarily a light-hearted look at the worlds of song writing and poetry. But it is much more than that. It is also a patchwork quilt of interviews, autobiography and mythology. Each lyric and set of limericks is preceded by prose, related (sometimes tenuously) to the reason for writing the verse. The lyrics were not written as poems, they are verses divorced from their musical settings.
Are song lyrics poetry? This is a theme which runs through the book. Nine authors and songwriters were asked this question. The list of those who contributed is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Welsh music and poetry. Dannie Abse, Steve Balsamo, Peter Finch, Ron Griffiths, Paul Henry, Gwyneth Lewis, Robert Minhinnick, Mal Pope and solitary Scot Al Stewart. Their answers to this and other questions make fascinating reading. There is also a previously unpublished short poem from Robert Minhinnick and a two line verse from Paul Henry.
What was their conclusion? Are song lyrics the same as poetry? For the answers be sure to read the entertaining ‘Lyrics and Limericks’.
I was born in the village of Cwmafan near Port Talbot in South Wales in 1948. My mother was a housewife who had six children, of which I am the youngest. My father’s profession was coal hewer and he worked underground in the local Bryn and Glyncorrwg mines. I married my wife, Adrianne, in 1971 and our son Ian was born in 1979. Ian and his wife, Tina, are expecting their first child soon. I attended Glanafan Grammar School in Port Talbot from 1960 to 1966. My first full time job was as an industrial chemist with the Steel Company of Wales (now Corus). After five years I joined BP Chemicals, Baglan Bay in a similar capacity. Sport has played a major part in my life. At various times I have cycled, played squash, tennis, soccer and cricket, but my main sport was rugby where I played mainly centre and wing. In my early thirties I suffered a torn knee cartilage and was forced to retire from rugby. Wanting to keep fit, I started running and joined Port Talbot Harriers. I have been Welsh Masters javelin champion in my age group since 1998. I am currently treasurer of Port Talbot Harriers and president of Welsh Masters Athletics. I retired [...]
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