Poetry, music lyrics, cultural commentary, artworks

Grahame Davies is a multi award-winning poet, librettist, cultural commentator and psychogeographer in Welsh and English.

As

Books and publications

He is the author of 19 books in Welsh and English, including: The Chosen People, a study of the relationship of the Welsh and Jewish peoples; The Dragon and the Crescent, a study of Wales and Islam; a novel, Everything Must Change, about the French philosopher Simone Weil, and two popular works of psychogeography, Real Wrexham, and Real Cambridge.

His poetry has been translated into many languages and has appeared in publications such as: The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, Poetry London, the Literary Review in America, Poetry Review, and Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series Villanelles (2012). His work is widely anthologised and is on the education syllabus in Wales.

He travels internationally as a reader and lecturer, carries out numerous high-profile poetry commissions, and collaborates extensively with musical and visual artists.

Musical collaborations

As a much-sought-after, Novello-nominated lyricist, he collaborates extensively with classical, folk and contemporary composers. He wrote the words for the song 'Sacred Fire', by composer Sarah Class, which,  performed by South African soprano Pretty Yende, was one of the musical highlights of the Coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, and was described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as 'mesmerising', and by commentator Robert Hardman as 'exquisite'.

 

Awards and recognition

A native of Coedpoeth near Wrexham, now based in Powys and London, he has a degree in English from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge (1985), and a PhD from Cardiff University (1997), where he was later an honorary fellow in the department of religious studies.

He has honorary D.Litts from Anglia Ruskin University (2010), and the University of Aberdeen (2023) and is an Honorary Professor of Practice of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2023), an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (2024), a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths (2025) and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London (2025).  He is former Vice-President of Goodenough College, London. 

In 2020, he was awarded the L.V.O. (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) in the Queen's Birthday Honours, and in 2023: His Majesty The King made him a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.).

Visual Arts 

Collaborations with painters, sculptors and public art projects,.

  • 2022: Inscription for memorial stone on the Cheng Yu Tung Building at Jesus College, Oxford.
  • 2022: Poetry for sculpture in the restored Castle in Hay-on-Wye, Powys.
  • 2020: Poems for a mural artwork by artist Ceri Davies for the Secular Pilgrimage project at Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire.
  • 2018: Collaboration with artist Kate Walters for the JAM on the Marsh Festival, Kent, July 2018.
  • 2017: Painting of Grahame Davies by Roy Guy installed at the Soar Welsh-language cultural centre, Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2016: Work on public poetry for artworks by sculptor Rebecca Gouldson in Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2014: Poem for painting by Roy Guy commemorating Prince of Wales Colliery disaster, Newbridge Memorial Hall
  • 2012: Words for sculptures on artwork trail in Brecon to mark the year of the 2012 Olympics
  • 2011 Words for sculptures by Adam Williamson along Green Journeys cycle path at Maesteg.
  • 2009 Commission for Welsh words for statue of Ivor Novello at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
  • 2008 Poems on sculptured benches as part of redevelopment of Merthyr Tydfil town centre.
  • 2008: Collaboration with the visual artist Helen Stiff for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru.
  • 2006.Poem commissioned by the sculptor Nigel Talbot and included in his artwork as part of his exhibition Salvage..
  • 2006: A portrait of Grahame Davies by Lorraine Bewsey is one of 20 pictures in her exhibition, Portreadau'r Beirdd / Poets' Portraits.
  • 2004: Poems included on sculptures by Nigel Talbot at several locations on the Taff Trail, at Abercynon, Aberfan, Cefn Coed y Cymmer.

" I hear two Roberts: the ventriloquism of Browning and the seemingly ambling narratives, with pinpoint phrasing, of Frost."

Sheenagh Pugh, reviewing 'A Darker Way'

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