This ballad was written by John Evans, 'Bardd Tysilio Môn' or 'Bardd Cocos' (1827-1895), and refers to the tale of the 'Royal Charter' ship which was wrecked off the coast of Anglesey, near Moelfre, on 25 October 1859.

The 'Royal Charter' was on her way from Australia to Liverpool. She left Cork harbour on the last leg of her journey but was blown onto the rocks at Moelfre in a fierce storm. The ship was destroyed some fifty yards from the shore. Although some 50 people managed to get ashore, all the remaining crew and passengers, which numbered over 400 and included many women and children, were drowned. Some of the bodies were later found on the local beaches and were buried in the local parish churches. On page 4 of the ballad are listed the names of the Welshmen who lost their lives. Charles Dickens later visited the scene of the disaster and wrote about it in his books 'The Uncommercial Traveller' and 'The Wreck of the Royal Charter'.