William Owen

OWEN, William. b. Prysgol, Caernarvonshire (now Gwynedd), 12 December 1813; d. 20 July 1893. He was a musician who lived at Caerthraw (Gwyrfai district). He wrote anthems and hymn tunes, which he published in Y Perl Cerddorol (1886). His tune PRYSGOL was used in EH for two hymns printed consecutively, ‘I lay my sins on Jesus’ by Horatius Bonar*, and ‘I need Thee, precious Jesus’*, by Frederick Whitfield* (1827-1904). He is best known, however, as the composer of the grand BRYN CALFARIA, set to many hymns, perhaps most closely associated with ‘Come, ye sinners, poor and needy’* by Joseph...