Despite Mr Corn’s backstory setting him apart from the wider Father Christmas tradition – who is conventionally said to live in the North Pole, rather than dwell in chimneys – the figure has always overlapped with the more general image of Santa Claus, as Martin Johnes, Professor of Modern History at Swansea University and author of Christmas and the British: A Modern History, explains.
‘Before the Second World War the various English names for Father Christmas were normally used in Welsh,’ says Martin, ‘Indeed, one newspaper article even recommended that his English name shouldn't stop parents from embracing the festive tradition.’
But, by the 1970s, the Welsh name, Siôn Corn, had become firmly cemented into Welsh Christmas culture, taking its place alongside other much-loved Welsh winter traditions like toffee making and sea dipping.
As a result, should you visit Wales during the yuletide season, you might well hear choirs at one of our popular Christmas markets performing the original tune from the 1922 anthology that first made reference to the mysterious festive gift-bringer. It’s a favourite of small children who sing, Pwy sy’n dwad dros y bryn yn ddistaw, ddistaw bach? (Who’s coming quietly over the hill?) The answer, which is shouted with gusto, Siôn Corn!
And if you hear any strange noises coming from up the chimney after dark? Well, you better get yourself to bed right away.
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