Friday, November 12, 2010

5 on Friday - Set 40

















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

7 comments:

Durward Discussion said...

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.

Galit Breen said...

love the songs, the tribute and seriously love that the doors made the list!! :)

Mike Golch said...

this is a great set,I enjoyed listening to it.

Alice Audrey said...

I like your inclusion of The Doors.

Linda said...

Such 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!

Akelamalu said...

Great choices Julia.

Travis Cody said...

I'm not able to watch the videos, but I love your concept this week.