In memory of the four Welsh miners who died

In 1928, while appearing in Showboat in the West End in London, Paul Robeson met a group of miners who had walked from South Wales to draw attention to the suffering of the hundreds of unemployed miners and their families. He visited and sang in South Wales many times after that.

In every year from 1952-57 he was invited to sing at the Miners’ Eistedfodd but was unable to because the American government had withdrawn his passport because of his left-wing and anti-racist views but in 1957, via a secret transatlantic telephone link, he was finally able to participate.

In 1958 at a reception given in his honour by the South Wales National Union of Miners he said, ‘You have shaped my life. I have learnt a lot from you.’

All through the night is a traditional Welsh lullaby, also known as Ar hyd y nos. The words Robeson sings of the second verse aren't the usual ones but seem particularly fitting tonight.

Sleep my love and peace attend thee,

All through the night.

Guardian angels God will lend thee,

All through the night.

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,

Now the Lord his watch is keeping

All through the night.

Love to thee my thoughts are turning,

All through the night.

And for thee my heart is yearning,

All through the night.

Though sad fate our lives may sever,

Parting will not last for ever,

There's a hope that leaves me never

All through the night.