Goldman, Lawrence, ed. (2013). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2005-2008. Oxford: OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-967154-0. We’ve produced a strong, stirring bottling that really reflects the mood and sense of resilience portrayed through Dafydd Iwan’s song,” says Davies. “This is a song that speaks of the dark times Wales has gone through – and yet, we are all still standing, speaking our language, singing our song, and that we’ll live on no matter what happens.” Despite everyone and everything” refers to the troubled history of Welsh identity. The song starts with the Romans leaving Wales in AD383 thanks to “Macsen” (the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus, who withdrew his troops to Gaul), “a myth but commonly attributed as the start of modern Wales”, says Johnes. It ends with Margaret Thatcher (“ Er gwaetha ’rhen Fagi a’i chriw”; “Despite old Maggie and her crew”), evoking an era that felt to Iwan like an existential threat to Welshness. In 1983, Thatcher led the Conservative party to its then best general election result in Wales, and by the following year, the miners’ strike was under way. By 1986, fewer than 40% of Welsh households were headed by someone in full-time employment.

The excitement amongst the team and The Red Wall is already at high levels, as we continue to move closer to the World Cup. With the launch of this special edition whisky, which not only recognises the team’s achievements so far but also recognises the vital role Wales supporters play in the success of our national team, it’s clear to see the support the team have going into this World Cup” explained Ian Davis, Chief Commercial and Engagement Officer, Football Association of Wales.So as thousands prepare to watch Wales take on their group at the tournament, what are the lyrics to the song and what do they mean? It has been a familiar anthem to Welsh speakers for some time, but Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd has been given a whole new lease of life in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup, with fans up and down the country belting it out at every opportunity nearly 40 years after it was written.

Williams, Glen (2022-06-05). "Gareth Bale leads brilliant rendition of Yma o Hyd after Wales beat Ukraine". WalesOnline . Retrieved 2022-06-05. The song, as Josh Millar, a lifelong football fan and Welsh speaker who has “Yma o Hyd” tattooed on his biceps, points out “is very simple. Non-Welsh speakers can grasp the meaning and pronunciation far more easily than the national anthem.” Its catchiness was proved again in January 2020, when the pro-independence campaign YesCymru managed to get Yma o Hyd to the top of the iTunes UK chart.

Shipton, Martin (2014-03-03). "Margaret Thatcher 'lied to miners about jobs and the extent of her plans to close pits' ". WalesOnline . Retrieved 2022-06-14. Mitchelmore, Ian (2022-03-28). "The player behind Dafydd Iwan's iconic Yma o Hyd rendition revealed". WalesOnline . Retrieved 2022-06-05.