Idris Davies' writings in English and Welsh reflected the idealism and protest of people during a time of great economic, social and religious change, which was embodied in the growth and decay of iron and coal towns like Rhymney. His best known poem is "Bells of Rhymney", a ballad about a mining accident based on the pattern of Oranges and Lemons nursery rhyme, which Pete Seeger set to music and which has become a folk rock classic, recorded by The Byrds, Jimmy Page and Cher amongst others.