Blaenwern is a Welsh Christian hymn tune

Hymn tune

A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....

 composed by William Penfro Rowlands

William Penfro Rowlands

William Penfro Rowlands was a Welsh schoolteacher and composer.Rowlands was born at Llys y Frân, Maenclochog, Pembrokeshire . Probably his best-known composition is the hymn-tune "Blaenwern", composed in 1905. As well as being a church musician, Rowlands also taught in several schools...

 (1860–1937), during the Welsh revival of 1904-1905. 'Blaenwern' was first published in Henry H. Jones' Cân a Moliant (1915).

The meter of the tune is 8.7.8.7.D (alternating lines of eight and seven syllables) in F major key. The tune is named after a farm in Pembrokeshire where Rowlands convalesced in his youth. It is commonly used as a setting for the hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" is a Christian hymn by Charles Wesley with a theme of 'Christian perfection."Judging by general repute, it is among Wesley's finest:"justly famous and beloved, better known than almost any other hymn of Charles Wesley."...

, but also in other settings including the Welsh Deued Dyddiau O Bob Cymysg by William Williams Pantycelyn, and Calon Lân by Daniel James. It also became familiar to a wider audience through the Billy Graham crusades when it was used as a setting to the words What a friend we have in Jesus

As a setting for Love Divine it is a popular choice at English weddings and was voted as one of Britain's ten favourite hymns in October, 2005. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, set to Blaenwern, has been selected as one of three hymns to be sung at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

The wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London. Prince William, the eldest son of Charles, Prince of Wales, first met Catherine Middleton in 2001, when both were studying at the University of St Andrews. Their...

, the others being Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer, set to Cwm Rhondda

Cwm Rhondda

Cwm Rhondda, the Welsh name for the Rhondda Valley, is a popular hymn tune written by John Hughes and first performed in 1907. It is often erroneously called Bread of Heaven and is usually used in English as a setting for William Williams's text Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah , originally...

, and Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time

"And did those feet in ancient time" is a short poem by William Blake from the preface to his epic Milton a Poem, one of a collection of writings known as the Prophetic Books. The date on the title page of 1804 for Milton is probably when the plates were begun, but the poem was printed c. 1808...

.