Aberfan funeral services October 1966

[laurasiersema]

Hello--
My name is Laura Siersema and I write from western Massachusetts. I am a musician.

Does anyone know the hymns that were played during the funeral services following the Aberfan disaster of October 21, 1966?

I would be most grateful to know.

Thank you,
Laura

[jeffery07]

Hello Laura,
My name is Jeff Adams. I used to live in Aberfan (left in 1966 to join the Royal Navy). I used to attend both Pantglas schools and used to, as a boy, play on those tips!
You are lucky. I have been reading as much as I can get my hands on over the past few months regarding the disaster.
Although the local mines had safety inspector engineers the tips did not...unbelievable.
The service itself lasted just 15 minutes (perhaps tp spare more grief among the families?).
The first hymn on the sheet was:

'Loving Shepherd of thy sheep,
Keep thy lambs in safety keep;
Nothing can thy power withstand,
None can pluck them from thy hand.'

The Salvation Army played the music.
It continued:
'...Loving Saviour thou didst give,
Thine own life that we might live...'

The Bishop of Llandaff read from the Bible. (Among others) The Lord's prayer was said.
Second hymn was, 'Jesu Lover of My Soul,' to the tune of 'Aberystwyth,' composed by Joseph Parry (19th. century Merthyr composer) :

...'That of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of thee;
Spring through up within my heart-
Rise to all eternity.'

5000 silent people on a Welsh hillside, the bitter cold unnoticed.
Fifteen mintues later it was all over.

It you want any further information-ask!!

Taken from the book Aberfan : The Story of a Disaster by Tony Austin Pages 143-144. I suggest you get it from your local library-you'll be upset throughout it and angry at the National Coal Board for its outright arrogance.
Finally, you may wish to know that during morning assembly (9am.-9-15am) the children sang:
'All things bright and beautiful,
the lord God loves them all.'
A few minutes later most of the children (7-9 year olds) lay dead. 116 children and 28 adults.
RIP.

[laurasiersema]

Dear Jeff-
I can barely believe you are giving me so much information. And that it is so completely personal to you. All these details are almost too much to bear. Thank you very much for going into such length to answer my question. I will certainly look for the book you mention at our library.

I have pulled out the 2 hymnals that I have. I recognized 'Jesu, lover of my soul' right away, but did not know the tune is called 'Aberystwyth'. This particular hymnal (from a UCC church where I used to work) lists the composer of the music as Simon Marsh in 1834. Wonder who's right?
Also, I have just found 'Loving Shepherd..' on youtube--I didn't know this one.

Again, thank you so much--
Laura

[lee]

And the words of Jesu Lover Of My Soul are by Charles Wesley.

[sixtmedia]

Aberfan. The Terrible Price. DVD
A new DVD is for sale at www.sixtownships.org.uk
Its about the terrible tragedy of October 1966.
It also has a memorial to those children who sadly lost their lives with their names.
The DVD looks at the tragedy, the funerals, and more.
A donation of £1 will made to the Aberfan Charity.

[joseph]

Like probably 4-6ooo others I was at the Funeral Service on that windswept mountain non relatives/dignitaries/general public/Rescue Services etc etc gathered first then the families Clergy etc came in LONG COLUMNS THERE WAS AN EERIE SILENCE BROKEN ONLY BY CRIES AND SOBBING OF THE RELATIVES.We had to move babk up the mountainside to accomodate the huge numbers coming in.
It was like being part of a BLACK AND WHITE FILM there was no colour only the grey of the wet weather,mountains,sky..the black of the Mourners and the congregation and the white robes of the Clergy.
The Service was tender and filled with the warmth of the love of the people present.The singing was beautiful and the hymns as stated above but as Wales was far more Welsh in those days many around me sang Aberystwyth...Beth sydd i mi yn yr byd....I think it translates What is left forme in this life.......IT WAS WRITTEN BY DR JOSEPH PARRY WHO CALLED HIMSELF"LITTLE BOY FROM MERTHYR ALWAYS ALWAYS".This was the hymn sung in Welsh by hundreds of Welsh Soldiers hrs before the terrible"Battle of Mermitz Wood in the First World War.
Aberfan will live on in the minds and hearts of all involved until their dying days,ONE FINAL POINT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT THE ABERFAN DISASTER WAS DEALT WITH INITIALLY BY ONE OF THE SMALLEST POLICE FORCES IN THE UK,THE MERTHYR TYDFIL BOROUGH POLICE,ASSISTED BY THE WONDERFUL MINERS,FACTORY WORKERS,EMERGENCY SERVICES,GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE VALLEYS AND LATER BY THE BIRMINGHAM MOBILE COLUMN/GLAMORGAN COSTABULARY,CARDIFF ETC AND ALL THE HELP FROM AROUND THE UK.
WHENEVER I THINK OR WRITE ALBEIT BRIEFLY ABOUT THOSE SAD OCTOBER DAYS I NEVER FAIL TO SHED A TEAR .......GOD BLESS THEM ALL AND ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT WENT TO HELP

[joseph]

One other strange feeling was the actual singing was as if in stereo the strong mountain breezes took the vast sound away and you almost thought it had stopped then it returned as a massive wall of sound all around you.The only comparison was the old North stand at Cardiff Arms park on International day but you weren't singing your nation into Rugby battle but burying your Nation's little ones.....I could say so much more about Aberfan but like so many others that were there to talk about it breaks our hearts even now...