Idris Lewis was born in Birchgrove near Swansea on 21 November 1889, the son of a coal miner.

[2] In 1911 and 1912, after completing his studies at the Royal College, Lewis toured India and the Far East, giving piano recitals.

[2] His work on the 1934 film Blossom Time starring Richard Tauber brought Lewis to the attention of the BBC, and in 1936 he became the first Music Director of the Welsh Region of the BBC in Cardiff, where his assistants were to include the composers Mansel Thomas and Arwel Hughes.

At the BBC Lewis was responsible for several radio series of popular vocal music, including Melys Lais and Cenwch im yr hen ganiadau.

[2][4] In addition to his film compositions, Lewis composed songs and arranged works for male voice choir.