For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
To all our brave men and women wherever your serving
I know it isn't enough
but THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Lovely post Ronnie. I've read several now in a row honoring our service men and women. It is good and right to remember and be thankful for their sacrifice. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Ronnie and SNP
ReplyDeleteIndeed we will.
ReplyDeleteMichael M
Beautiful tribute Ronnie, thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments above, it is good and right to honour and remember the sacrifices of our service men and women and to be thankful for their service.
Yes - support is warranted as the job continues, on behalf of all of us.
ReplyDeleteFirst time in eight years that I did not make it to the Menin Gate for the ceremony but still remembering.
ReplyDeleteWe will remember them.
Prefectdt
Glad you put that up ronnie. It reminded me of the days even before the second world war, when November 11 was called "poppy day" and we wore poppies made by the British Legion in our school uniform buttonholes. One particular verse of Binyon's poem is often quoted:
ReplyDelete"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Though the whole poem is very sentimental, it packs quite a punch, and does make me wonder for the thousandth time why humanity is so thirled to war. Is war an inevitable part of the human game, do you think, ronnie?
Ronnie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrific post for a very special day.
Our veterans will be in my thoughts today.
Hug,
joey
I remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice but I always feel a profound sadness when I see the Flanders Field poem because WWI was a failure in leadership and a war that should never have been fought. It also set the stage for the rise of Hitler and the price that had to be paid to stop him.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to honor their memory is to find a way to avoid future wars.
FD
Lovely post, Ronnie.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Ronnie. I notice you never forget. Mick
ReplyDelete"Lest we forget"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Ronnie. I just hope in generations to come we still have the same rememberance ceremonies.
Hugs kiwi xx (ex-pat Brit)
You said it perfectly by allowing us to remember through such poetic poignant words.
ReplyDeleteBecause of their sacrifice,
ReplyDeletewe live in peace.
amen.. However, one wonders if peace is ever a possible, except after a very severe war, and for a very short time..
ReplyDeleteRed
SNP - It is important for us to remember. Thanks SNP.
ReplyDeleteSG - Amen indeed. Thank you SG.
Michael - We must never forgot. Cheers Michael.
Roz - It's a small gesture but from my heart.
MrJ - Definitely warranted. Thanks Mr.J
Prefectdt - We didn' attend a service this year because of travelling. Thank you Pref.
Malcolm - That part of the poem always bring tears to my eyes. I sometimes call it Poppy Day now:) Thank you Malcolm.
Joey - Thank you.
FD - What a price it was. Thank you FD.
Lea - Thank you.
Mick and Lynda - No, I never will. Thanks Mick.
Kiwi - I think they will. Thank you Kiwi.
Minelle - Words said it all. Thank you Minelle.
Ricky - So many lost their lives that we must never forget them.
Red - We wont see peace across the world in our life time. Thanks Red.
Love,
Ronnie
xx