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Congratulations To Sir Tom On A Notable Occasion! And Happy St. David’s Day To All
Sunday, March 1st, 2009Because this is a special day — well worth special mention — the Question of the Month for March will have to wait a day or so….but it’ll be here soon. And, just below, almost a minute was added to the clips of Tom on Ant and Dec.
Today, March 1, is St. David’s Day, the Welsh national holiday (see info below).
But it’s also a very special day in the life and career of Tom Jones.
Forty-four years ago, on March 1, 1965, It’s Not Unusual hit #1 on the UK charts. It was the start of a glorious career but it’s probably a safe bet that no one back 44 years ago — even Tom himself — ever imagined that career would be as glorious as it turned out to be. Congratulations, Sir Tom!
St. David’s Day is named in honor (well, it’s a Welsh day, so we’ll write “honour”) of the patron saint of Wales. Saint David, or “Dewi Sant,” in Welsh, was a sixth century Celtic monk, abbot and bishop. He was the archbishop of Wales, and was one of many saints who helped to spread Christianity among pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.
The traditional St. David’s Day emblem — worn on a man’s buttonhole — is the leek (above center), which also figures in a meal that day and the floral emblem is the daffodil which, historians say, really has no significance except that there was some confusion early on in the official Welsh “symbol-designating” department. Seems that the Welsh for “leek” is Cenhinen and the Welsh for “daffodil” is Cenhinen Pedr. Those who’ve studied it say the words somehow got confused and, ultimately, both symbols were adopted.
As for the Welsh dragon we all recognize, it was first noted as the Red Dragon of Cadwallader on the flag that led the Britons against the Saxons. The dragon has always been associated with Wales and Henry the Seventh used it as his banner at the Battle of Bosworth when he gained the English throne in 1485. Henry was also the first to use the dragon on his coins. This emblem of Wales has been reinstated on the reverse of some pound coins today.
Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David’s Day!
—Ellen
You may want to celebrate St. David’s Day and Tom Jones by visiting the TJI.com Video Library and just meandering around this site. Perhaps you’ll discover things that are new to you.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am
Oops! Don’t start me on Dragons! My screen name is no mere chance
The Welsh Dragon is also linked to the legend of Myrddin (Merlin),google “Dinas Emrys” if you’re interested.
Fascinating stories and that accounts for a good part of my love of Wales, Dragons are my life
March 1st, 2009 at 11:10 am
DL: Well, if the dragon is a good luck symbol, maybe it will ward off the terrible weather in Boston today and tomorrow. Hope everyone going to and from the show (including Tom and his group) are safe and sound. Some stations reporting an expected blizzard.
March 1st, 2009 at 11:38 am
All my best wishes for safe tavels for TOM, his band and his fans – happy St. David’s Day
March 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I didn’t know all that information about St. David’s Day or about the 44th anniversary of Tom’s first #1. I saw something on another message board but it was not as complete. As always, you are the best. 1 question. When did he record It’s Not Unusual?
March 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Roxanne: That song was recorded November 11, 1964. In recognition of that event, in November 2004 at Foxwoods, representatives of JonesTheVoice.com — led by site moderator/founder Keith Cooper — presented Tom with a beautiful 100+ page hard cover book written by fans about his impact on fans.
By the way, all these significant dates are noted on the TJI.com Fan Calendar. The 2010 edition will be available for ordering in September.
March 1st, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Thank you for the information on a day of celebration for the wonderful Welsh people including Sir Tom and his family. Tomorrow is a day of celebration for Sir Tom and his wife – their wedding anniversary. Congratulations to both. Also, I’d like to say thanks to Sir Tom and all people who helped with his new CD, 24 Hours. For me,it grows better every time I play it. SAFE TRAVELING TO ALL. See you soon!
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:55 am
Moderator: Your information on St David’s day is spot on.It is also still a great tradition here in Wales and all the children go to school in their Welsh costume.Long may it live!
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Thank you for the history lesson. I visited Wales twice now staying in the Snowdonia area; what a beautiful country. Can’t wait to return. Who needs the luck of the Irish when you have the luck of the Dragon! I totally agree with Shirley, “24 Hours” gets better every time I play it! Thanks TJ for all you have given us.