Welsh language song Yma O Hyd tops iTunes UK song chart

Dafydd Iwan, from Caernarfon, is still performing

A song by folk singer and former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Iwan has reached number one in the iTunes UK song chart, beating out Tones and I and The Weekend.

Yma O Hyd, which was originally recorded in 1981 and released in 1983, means "still here" in English.

Its success is partly due to a campaign by independence movement YesCymru.

Yma O Hyd is the title track to the artist's joint album with Welsh folk bank Ar Log.

He said he was pleased that the song had done so well.

• Charles meets investiture protestor

• The rise and rise of Welsh pop music

Mr Iwan, from Caernarfon, still performs and added: "Maybe it will allow me to retire!"

YesCymru chair Sion Jobbins said: "It was a spontaneous idea by some of our supporters, it's developed into something of an informal anthem, and it's a fun thing - something to bring a smile onto people's faces."

The song has been adopted by the Scarlets rugby region and is played before the start of home matches.

Yma O Hyd declares that the Welsh nation has survived "in spite of everyone and everything" - along with the Welsh language.