Short Name: | William Williams |
Full Name: | Williams, William, 1717-1791 |
Birth Year: | 1717 |
Death Year: | 1791 |
William Williams, called the "Watts of Wales," was born in 1717, at Cefn-y-coed, near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire. He originally studied medicine, but abandoned it for theology. He was ordained Deacon in the Church of England, but was refused Priest's Orders, and subsequently attached himself to the Calvinistic Methodists. For half a century he travelled in Wales, preaching the Gospel. He died in 1791. Williams composed his hymns chiefly in the Welsh language; they are still largely used by various religious bodies in the principality. Many of his hymns have appeared in English, and have been collected and published by Sedgwick. His two principal poetical works are "Hosannah to the Son of David," and "Gloria in Excelsis."
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872.
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Williams, William, of Pantycelyn, was the Sweet Singer of Wales. He was born at Cefn-y-Coed, in the Parish of Llanfair-y-bryn, near Llandovery, in 1717. He was ordained a deacon of the Established Church in 1740, by Dr. Claget, Bishop of St. Davids, and for three years he served the Curacies of Llan-wrtyd and Llanddewi-Abergwesyn. He never received Priest's Orders. He became early acquainted with the revivalist Daniel Rowlands, and for thirty-five years he preached once a month at Llanllian and Caio and Llansawel, besides the preaching journeys he took in North and South Wales. He was held in great esteem as a preacher. In 1744 his first book of hymns appeared under the title of Halleluiah, and soon ran through three editions. In1762, he published another book under the title of Y Môr o Wydr, which soon went through five editions. His son John published an excellent edition of his hymns in the year 181lines In addition to his Welsh hymns Williams also published several in English as:—
(1.) Hosannah to the Son of David; or, Hymns of Praise to God, For our glorious Redemption by Christ. Some few translated from the Welsh Hymn-Book, but mostly composed on new Subjects. By William Williams. Bristol: Printed by John Grabham, in Narrow-Wine Street, 1759. This contains 51 hymns of which 11 are translated from his Welsh hymns. This little book was reprinted by D. Sedgwick in 1859.
(2.) Gloria in Excelsis: or, Hymns of Praise to God and the Lamb. By W. Williams . . . Carmarthen. Printed for the Author by John Ross, removed to Priory Street, near the Church, M.DCC.LXXI. This contains 70 hymns, not including parts.
From these volumes the following hymns are in common use:—
i. From the Hosannah, 1759:—
1. Jesus, my Saviour is enough. Jesus, All in All.
2. My God, my God, Who art my all. Communion with God desired.
3. The enormous load of human guilt. God's love unspeakable.
ii. From the Gloria in Excelsis, 1772.
4. Awake, my soul, and rise. Passiontide.
5. Beneath Thy Cross I lay me down. Passiontide.
6. Hark! the voice of my Beloved. The Voice of Jesus.
7. Jesus, lead us with Thy power. Divine Guidance Desired. Sometimes given as "Father, lead us with Thy power."
8. Jesus, Whose Almighty sceptre. Jesus as King.
9. Saviour, look on Thy beloved. The Help of Jesus desired.
10. White and ruddy is my Beloved. Beauties of Jesus.
Williams is most widely known through his two hymns, "Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah," and "O'er those gloomy hills of darkness." Williams died at Pantycelyn, Jan. 11, 1791. [Rev. W. Glanffrwd Thomas]
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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See also in:
Texts by William Williams (152) | As | Authority Languages | Instances |
---|---|---|---|
Can I forget bright Eden's grace | William Williams (Author) | 1 | |
Come Holy Spirit, now descend | William Williams (Author) | 2 | |
Hark, the voice of my beloved Lo, he comes in greatest need | William Williams (Author) | 2 | |
Jesus is all my hope | W. Williams (Author) | 2 | |
Kingdoms wide, that sit in darkness | William Williams (Author) | 2 | |
Led mig, m'gtige Jehova | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | 2 | |
Light of them that sit in darkness | W. Williams (Author) | 7 | |
O iachawdwr pechaduriaid | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | 2 | |
O llefara, Addfwyn Iesu | William Williams (Author) | 2 | |
O! Rosyn Saron hardd! | William Williams (Author) | 1 | |
"One thing have I desired," The Hebrew Psalmist said | William Williams (Author) | 2 | |
Onward march, all conquering Jesus | W. W. (Author) | 1 | |
Take me as I am, O Savior | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | 2 | |
To thy great name, O Prince of peace | W. Williams (Author) | 13 | |
Wrth dy orsedd 'rwyf fi'n gorwedd | William Williams (Author) | 1 | |
Wrth edrych, Iesu, ar Dy groes | William Williams (Author) | 1 | |
Beneath Thy cross I lay me down | W. Williams (Author) | English | 8 |
Dwell in me, O blessed Spirit | W. W. (Last 2 lines) | English | 2 |
Eternal God! Almighty cause | Williams (Author) | English | 2 |
Great Redeemer, Friend of sinners | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | English | 22 |
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah | Wm. Williams (Author) | English | 1393 |
Guide us, O Thou great Jehovah, lead us to the promised land | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | English | 1 |
Here is love as vast as the ocean | William Williams (Author (attr. to, v. 3 & 4)) | English | 3 |
Jesus, lead us with Thy power | W. Williams (Author) | English | 15 |
Over the gloomy hills of darkness | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | English | 274 |
Speak, I pray Thee, gentle Jesus! | William Williams, 1717 - 1791 (Author) | English | 4 |
We stand in deep repentance | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | English | 1 |
While Thee I seek, Protecting Power | Williams (Author) | English | 2 |
Zion stands by hills surrounded | William Williams (Author) | English | 5 |
Duw yw fy nerth a'm noddfa lawn (God is my strength in all my woe) | W. W. (Author) | English, Welsh | 2 |
Na foed im feddwl, ddydd na nos (By day or night my thought is loss) | W. W. (Author) | English, Welsh | 2 |
'Rwy'n edrych, dros y bryniau pell (I gaze upon those distant hills) | William Williams (Pantycelyn), (1717-1791) (Welsh and English Words) | English, Welsh | 2 |
Zot shpërblyes udhëheqmë | William Williams (Author) | Albanian | 2 |
Sqwahteeneesehsdee, Yeehowah (ᏍᏆᏘᏂᏎᏍᏗ, ᏱᎰᏩ) | William Williams (Author) | Cherokee | 2 |
領我,大哉,主耶和華 (Lǐng wǒ, dàzāi, zhǔ yēhéhuá) | William Williams (Author) | Chinese | 2 |
Yus amayaŋ ye, Jehovah | William Williams (Author) | Dakota | 1 |
Führe du mich, o Jehova | William Williams (Author) | German | 3 |
Führe du uns, o Jehova | W. Williams (Author) | German | 5 |
Führe mich, mein Gott und Vater | William Williams (Author) | German | 1 |
Führe mich, o Gott Jehova | Wm. Williams (Author) | German | 4 |
Führ' mich, du getreuer Vater | William Williams (Author) | German | 1 |
Gott des Himmels, Gott der Stärke | William Williams (Author) | German | 2 |
Großer Gott, je mehr an Güte | W. Williams (Author) | German | 3 |
Großr Gott, Jehova, führ' mich Pilger | W. Williams (Author) | German | 2 |
Leite mich, o du Jehovah | William Williams (Author) | German | 2 |
Leite mich, o mein Jehova | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | German | 6 |
E ka'i oe, e Iehova | William Williams (Author) | Hawaiian | 3 |
നിത്യനായ യഹോവായെ! ലോക വൻ കാട്ടിൽ കൂടെ (Nityanāya yahēāvāye! lēāka van kāṭṭil kūṭe) | William Williams (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
Guia, ó Deus, a minha vida | William Williams (Author) | Portuguese | 2 |
Jeová, sê nosso guia | William Williams (Author) | Portuguese | 2 |
මෙලෝ වන මැදින් යන (Melō vana maedin yana) | William Williams (Author) | Sinhala | 2 |
Ndikhokele, O Jehova | William Williams (Author) | Sotho | 2 |
Jehová, sé nuestro guía | William Williams (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Oh Pastor divino escucha Los que en este buen lugar | Willliam Williams (Author) | Spanish | 4 |
Peregrino en el desierto | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Peregrinos en desierto | Rev. William Williams (Author) | Spanish | 5 |
Niongoze, Bwana Mungu, ni msafiri chini | William Williams (Author) | Swahili | 1 |
Iturongnac, O Jehova | William Williams (Author) | Tagalog | 2 |
Anweledig, 'r wy'n Dy garu | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Arglwydd arwain trwy'r anialwch | W. W. (Author (stanzas 1, 2)) | Welsh | 4 |
Arglwydd, danfon dy leferydd | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Arnat, Iesu, boed fy meddwl | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Arosaf ddydd a nôs | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Bendithiaist waith ein dwylo | William Williams (Author (stanza 3)) | Welsh | 2 |
Boed fy nghalon iti'n demel (Make my heart thy holy temple) | William Williams (Pantycelyn) (Welsh Words) | Welsh | 3 |
Caned nef a daear lawr | W. W. (Author (stanza 2)) | Welsh | 1 |
Chwilio am danat, addfwyn Arglwydd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Cudd fy meiau rhag y werin | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Cul yw'r llwybr imi gerdded | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Cyffelyb i fy Nuw | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Cymer, Iesu, fi fel 'r ydwyf | W. Williams (Author (stanza 4)) | Welsh | 5 |
'D oes arnaf eisieu yn y byd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'D oes gyffelyb iddo Ef | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Dacw gariad nefoedd wèn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Dàl fi, fy Nuw, dàl fi i'r làn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Datguddiwyd dirgelion i maes | William Williams (Author (stanzas 1, 3)) | Welsh | 2 |
Dechreu canu, dechreu canmol | W. W. (Author (stanzas 1, 2)) | Welsh | 2 |
Deffro, f'enaid, deffro'n ufudd | William Williams (Author (sts. 1, 4)) | Welsh | 2 |
Dewch, hen ac ieuainc, dewch | William Williams (Author (stanza 3)) | Welsh | 2 |
Disgyn, Iesu, o'th gynteddoedd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Dros bechadur buost farw | William Williams (1716-1791) (Welsh Verses) | Welsh | 2 |
Dros y bryniau tywyll niwlog | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Duw anfeidrol yw Dy enw | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Dyma gyfarfod hyfryd iawn | W. W. (Author (stanza 1)) | Welsh | 1 |
Fy ngweddi dos i'r nef | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Fy Nuw, fy Nhad, fy Iesu | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Fy Nuw, fy Nuw, fy Mhrïod, a fy Nhad | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Fy Nuw, uwch law fy neall | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Goleuni ac anfreidrol rym | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Gosod babell yn ngwlad Gosen | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Gwel, uwchlaw cymylau amser | W. Williams (Translator) | Welsh | 3 |
Gwna ni fel halen â Dy râs | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Gwyn a gwridog yw fy Arglwydd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Iesu, difyrwch f'enaid drud | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Iesu, Iesu, 'r wyt Ti'n ddigon | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Mae fy meiau fel mynyddau | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Mae dafn bach o waed | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Mae fy nghalon am ehedeg | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Mae'r faner fawr yn mlaen | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | Welsh | 3 |
Marchog, Iesu, yn llwyddianus | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Mi dafla' maich oddi ar fy ngwàr | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Mi edrychaf ar i fyny | Pantycelyn (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Ni feddaf ar y ddaear fawr | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Ni fuasai gennyf obaith | William Williams (Welsh Words (stanza 1)) | Welsh | 2 |
Ni welir un yn llesg | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Nid oes ond f' Arglwydd mawr Ei ddawn | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Nid wy'n haeddu dim trugaredd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Nis gall angylion nef y nef | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
O am nerth I dreulio', dyddiau | Pantycelyn (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O arglwydd, cofia'th angeu drud | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O, Arglwydd, rho im dafod | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
O, cymer fy serchiadau'n glau | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O Enw ardderchocaf | William Williams (Translator (into Welsh)) | Welsh | 1 |
O flaen y fainc rhaid sefyll | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
O, iachawdwriaeth gadarn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
O Iesu mawr, rho'th anian bur | W. W. (Author (stanzas 2-3)) | Welsh | 1 |
O Iesu mawr, y Meddyg gwell | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O nefol addfwyn Oen! | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
O! p'le mae'r manna perffaith gwir | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O sancteiddia f'enaid, Arglwydd | William Williams, Pantycelyn, (1716-1791) (Welsh Words) | Welsh | 3 |
O! tyred, Argwydd mawr, Dihidla o'r nef i lawr | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | Welsh | 3 |
O tyred, f'Anwylyd, fy Arglwydd yn ddyn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O, tyred Ysbred Glân, Yn fflam a ddwyfol dân | William Williams (Author (stanzas 2, 3)) | Welsh | 2 |
O! tyred, Ysbryd sanctaidd, pur | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O ysbryd pur nefolaidd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O'r diwedd daeth yr awr | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
O'r nef mi glywais newydd | William Williams (Author (stanzas 1, 2)) | Welsh | 2 |
Pa le dechreauf rifo | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Pa'm y caiff bwystfilod rheibus | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Pecadur wyf, f'Argylwydd a'i gŵyr | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Pererin wyf mewn anial dir | William Williams, 1717-1791 (Author) | Welsh | 4 |
Plant ydym eto dan ein hoed | W. Williams, Pantycelyn (1716-1791) (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'R wyf yma, Arglwydd, wrth Dy draed | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'R wy'n chwenych gwel'd Ei degwch Ef | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'R wy'n dewis Iesu a'i farwol glwy' | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'R wy'n ofni'm nerth yn ddim | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
'Rwyf yma, Arglwydd, wrth Dy draed | William Williams (Welsh Words) | Welsh | 1 |
Tegwch hardd Ei wyneb-pryd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Ti Dy Hunan, Iesu mawr | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Ti, Iesu, ydwyt oll Dy Hun | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Tra yn Dy gwmni, f' Arglwydd mawr | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Tyred, Iesu, i'r anialwch At bechadr gwael ei lun | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Wel, bellach mi gredaf, er nad wyf ond gwan | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Wel, dyma'r eiddil, dyma'r gwàn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Wel, f'eniad dos ymlaen | W. W. (Author) | Welsh | 2 |
Wel, mi ddarfyddaf mwy | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Wele'r hafan, wele'r ardal | William Williams (Author (stanza 1)) | Welsh | 2 |
Y cysur i gyd | W. W. (Author (stanza 1)) | Welsh | 1 |
Y mae hapusrwydd pawb o'r byd | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Yn Eden, cofiaf hyny byth | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 4 |
Yn mhlith holl ryfeddodau'r nef | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |
Yr Iesu adgyfododd Yn ogoneddus iawn | William Williams (Author) | Welsh | 1 |