Introduction
Under the massive roof of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Sir Tom Jones stood center stage — the Lion of Wales returning home. The crowd of 70,000 was already on its feet. The moment felt like a homecoming before the music even began.
He started softly, the nostalgic opening notes of “Green, Green Grass of Home” echoing through the stadium.
“Yes, they’ll all come to meet me…”
But halfway through the swelling chorus, his voice cracked. Not from exhaustion. Not from age. From something deeper — a wave of memories and the overwhelming love of his people too heavy to hold back.
He lowered his head, wiping a tear from his eye with his handkerchief, his hand gripping the microphone stand for support, his lips trembling.
For a heartbeat, there was silence. And then. It happened. A single voice rose from the stands. Then another. Then thousands. Seventy thousand people lifted their voices with that legendary Welsh Hwyl (spirit) as one — carrying the anthem Tom could no longer sing. The music swelled. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a choir of a nation, alive and holy.
From the stage, Sir Tom lifted his face to the sky — listening with his heart, hand pressed to his chest. Tears streamed freely down the legend’s face as the chorus rolled through Cardiff like thunder wrapped in grace.