Today is Remembrance Sunday here in the UK. Of all the moving and reflective music played at this time, Dido's Lament by Purcell never fails to reach out and hold me for those brief minutes.Lest we forget all our fallen, military and civilian.
This afternoon I will spend with my soldier son and other 'boys of the old brigade', lunching, listening, reflecting, laughing and remembering my own father, and drinking good old English beer.
When I am laid, am laid in earth, may my wrongs create
No trouble, no trouble in, in thy breast.
When I am laid, am laid in earth, may my wrongs create
No trouble, no trouble in, in thy breast.
Remember me, remember me, but ah!
Forget my fate.
Remember me, but ah!
Forget my fate.
Remember me, remember me, but ah!
Forget my fate.
Remember me, but ah!
Forget my fate.
I still have my red paper poppy from my trip to London 20 years ago. Lovely tradition.
ReplyDeleteThere have been numerous veterans manning street stalls and selling red poppies here in Melbourne. At 11:00 am, 11/11/09, we shall observe the silence that is traditional.
ReplyDeleteIt is always heartening to see several young children taking part in these Remembrance Day activities and it convinces me that perhaps we are still doing somehting right...
Beautiful song, perfect for the occasion.
That is one of my favourite pieces of music, Michale - I like it particularly because of its ground bass, which has such a profound effect even if listened to on its own, without the melody on the top. Very appropriate for Remembrance Day too, although I have never thought of it in that way before.
ReplyDeleteAs I was growing up, we remembered those who gave their lives in WWs 1 and 11 and I spent many a Remembrance Sunday shuddering in the cold, watching as wreaths were laid in whichever city/town/country we happened to be stationed in/near.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we remember too those who have given their lives in wars that are not ours - unnecessary wars made by politicians who should have known better.
Michael, I really like these lines: Focus on the person--not the loss and not the war. We have Red Poppy organizations here in the U.S. John McCrae popularized the poppy as the symbol for remembrance in his poem "In Flanders Fields." That poem really caught the imagination of America, and some believe it may have spurred the United States involvement in WWI.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful music. I hadn't heard Alison Moyet's version before. Not quite what I'm used to hearing but good if she brings it to folks who wouldn't otherwise know it. I hope you enjoyed your day.
we all live our lives in quite desperation, now don't we? Desperation can turn to solidarity, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm appreciate your writing skill.Please keep on working hard.^^
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