Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.
Continuing my Remembrance Day musings, here are five songs that address the listener from the soldier's point of view, speak directly to the soldier or speak about the soldier.
1 - Pack Up Your Troubles - Reinald Werrenrath
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
And smile, smile, smile
While you've a lucifer to light your fag
Smile, boys,that's the style
What's the use of worrying?
It never was worthwhile, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
And smile, smile, smile
- Asaf / Powell
2 - Over the Hills and Far Away - John Tams
Here's forty shillings on the drum
For those who'll volunteer to come
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the hills and far away
O're the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
Over the hills and far away
- John Tams after George Farquhar
3 - The Ghosts of Culloden - Isla Grant
Can you hear them?
Can you see them?
Marching proudly across the moor
Hear the wind blow
Through the drifting snow
Tell me, can you see them?
The ghosts of Culloden
Through the mist you'll hear
A lonely piper play
Listen carefully
You'll hear a mournful cry
Swords and bayonets crash
As man to man they clash
They came to fight, to live
And now they die
- Isla Grant
4 - Sgt. MacKenzie - Clann An Drumma
Lay me down in the cold, cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come, I will stand my ground
Stand my ground. I'll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a German's gun
- Joseph Kilna MacKenzie
5 - Unknown Soldier - The Doors
Unborn living. Living, dead
Bullet strikes the helmet's head
And it's all over
For the unknown soldier
Company, halt
Present arms
Make a grave for the unknown soldier
Nestled in your hollow shoulder
The unknown soldier
- Densmore / Krieger / Manzarek / Morrison
These are wonderful. I was only familiar With Pack Up Your Troubles and Over The Hills and Far Away. All of the selections capture both the gallantry and sadness of military life.
ReplyDeletelove the songs, the tribute and seriously love that the doors made the list!! :)
ReplyDeletethis is a great set,I enjoyed listening to it.
ReplyDeleteI like your inclusion of The Doors.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely choices for Remembrance Day - I particularly like #3 and #4 though the only one I really knew going into this was Pack Up Your Troubles - which I still have stuck in my head now thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteGreat choices Julia.
ReplyDeleteI'm not able to watch the videos, but I love your concept this week.
ReplyDelete