Memorial Day

Memorial Day is rather a big deal for me. That is partly because I am quite a traditionalist and a proper observance of Memorial Day is rich in solemnity and ceremony, which I find both beautiful and satisfying. It is partly because there is enough history associated with the day, to delight the amateur historian in me. It is partly because I consider myself something of a soldier as well - albeit, a Soldier of Christ, so I find a great deal of inspiration in a day dedicated to honouring courage and sacrifice. But it is mostly because my little band has played for the Memorial Day service here in town, for as long as we have been a band. We get ourselves all brawly kilted out, with shined-up brogues, and (since Memorial Day weekend tends to be the last hurrah of winter here) our green military sweaters. We look very sharp and fine, since my pipey is a former Marine and has definite views on how to conduct one's self at formal occasions like this. It is grand, and I love being a part of the ceremony. It is, hands-down, my favourite gig all year. 

Normally, I would post a video of a bugler playing Taps or The Last Post or something along those lines, to mark Memorial Day. But Mark Knopfler wrote a really great song called Piper to the End which seems very suitable, so I am post that instead.

This is going to be a very short post, as I am still behind in Nano, in spite of my furious efforts not to be, and I am feeling guilty taking time out of writing to do a post. I present a poem, by Sgt. Joyce Kilmer:

Thanksgiving

(For John Bunker)

The roar of the world is in my ears.

Thank God for the roar of the world!

Thank God for the mighty tide of fears

Against me always hurled!

Thank God for the bitter & ceaseless strife,

And the sting of His chastening rod!

Thank God for the stress & the pain of life,

And Oh, thank God for God!

Joyce Kilmer is my favourite American poet. He was quite a character, but a good man through and through. He fought with the Fighting 69th in the first World War, and he wrote some fantastic poetry during his time in France, though you will seldom find him listed amongst the poets who came out of that conflict - which is really a shame. I love the courage in poem, and I want to be like that too.

PS. For all of you who have been so nice about commenting, and to whom I have been so remiss in responding, thanks muchly. I appreciate the comments, and I will be better about it once November is well away.

Memorial Day

In Flander's Field

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

                              by John McCrae

The Battle's O'er is a Scottish song that seem particularly appropriate for today. It a very common piping tune, but I came across this rather fine sung version of it, so I am posting it here:

In Memoriam...

Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.....


To the memory of all those brave souls who died that day, that others may live....

Happy Independence Day!

"Yankee Doodle" is probably the most well known of all tunes to come out of the Revolutionary War. It was originally a British song, mocking the Continentals, but it had a catchy melody, and was quickly taken over by the Americans as a rallying tune. Here is a video of the Towpath Fife and Drum Corps performing "Yankee Doodle" on parade.

I also came across this clip of "Yankee Doodle" sung by folksinger Charlie Zahm, which I thought was rather good as well. It is, perhaps, not entirely historically accurate, what with the bodhran and all, but it makes for a stirring arrangement.