In the late 18th century Joseph Haydn was one of the most famous and popular composers in the world. 

Johann Peter Salomon, a German violinist and impresario, convinced Haydn to travel to England twice in the 1790s, and Haydn composed a total of 12 symphonies, the so-called London Symphonies, for the occasions. The Londoners loved him and his symphonies.

Around this time there was great interest in folk songs and arrangements of folk songs, and of course there was much money to be made. So two different publishers hired Haydn (and later Beethoven) to arrange some Scottish and Welsh folk songs for the British market. In all, Haydn composed over 400 songs and made a fair bit of coin in doing so.

One of the Welsh songs that he arranged was entitled “Nos Galan” which is a Welsh song for New Year’s Night. I think you’ll find the tune quite familiar:

In 1862 Thomas Oliphant added the familiar words that we all know.