He was a frequent competitor at the
Eisteddfodau, in both the classical and modern metres, and perhaps took his bardic name, Mynyddog, from Newydd Fynyddog, a hill near his home. There is no special merit in his work in the classical metres, but his lyrics became very popular. They were tuneful, unsophisticated poems, which dealt with the joys and tribulations of the common people, the folly of pride, and the absurdity of hypocrisy. He sang these at concerts all over Wales, accompanying himself on a little harmonium. He frequently visited London to listen to the principal singers there, and he was responsible for introducing instrumental music into Hen Gapel. He was in great demand as an adjudicator, a singer, and especially as an Eisteddfod conductor, in both England and Wales. Three volumes of his works were published in his lifetime:
Caneuon Mynyddog, 1866;
Yr Ail Gynnig, 1870; and
Y Trydydd Gynnig, 1877 – and a fourth volume,
Pedwerydd Llyfr Mynyddog, appeared posthumously in 1882. Two volumes of selections from his works were published in
Cyfres y Fil. He contributed letters to the
Herald Cymraeg, the
Cronicl, and
Dydd, using the pseudonyms Rhywun, Wmffra Edward, and
Y Dyn a'r Baich Drain. These letters dealt with topics of the day and criticised stupid customs. He wrote the original versions of the words of at least two popular Welsh songs:
Myfanwy and
Sosban Fach. ==Later life==