This was a popular song here in the 1970's sung by Eric Bogle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Band_Played_Waltzing_Matilda
In those days we thought the ending of the Vietnam war had taught us a lesson and our generation would never repeat the mistakes. Yes "Will we never learn?" I have wept on visits to Gallipoli, the Somme and Ypres, so many lives lost needlessly.
And soon the last of the soldiers from that war will be dead.
I can remember my grandmother showing me the war memorial in her village churchyard and pointing out the families where all or most of the sons had been killed (she had known many of their sisters and fiancees though she moved to the village some 20 years after the war).
One of my great-grandfathers was at Gallipoli and wrote this in a letter on April 27, 1915
"... Five tows of five boats each, with some 30 or 40 men in each came on to 'V' beach simultaneously with ourselves, and in ten minutes there were some 400 dead and wounded on the beach and in the water. Not more than 10 per cent. got safe to land and took shelter under the edge of the sand. ... Thereafter the wounded cried out all day and for 36 hours---in every boat, lighter, hopper, and along the shore. It was horrible, and all within 200 yards of our guns trying to find and shoot the shooters." (the letter was to a military superior so didn't fall, I suspect, under the censorship rules.)
Can't fail to be affected by this song. I first heard it sung by Mike Harding on his album Bombers Moon. The Accrington Pals on the same album also gets me weepy.
This was a popular song here in the 1970's sung by Eric Bogle.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Band_Played_Waltzing_Matilda
In those days we thought the ending of the Vietnam war had taught us a lesson and our generation would never repeat the mistakes. Yes "Will we never learn?" I have wept on visits to Gallipoli, the Somme and Ypres, so many lives lost needlessly.
I like June Tabor's version, too. Some say that hers is the best, even though Eric Bogle wrote the song.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful version.
ReplyDeleteI've loved this song for long years. I can't hear it without getting weepy.
ReplyDeleteAnd soon the last of the soldiers from that war will be dead.
ReplyDeleteI can remember my grandmother showing me the war memorial in her village churchyard and pointing out the families where all or most of the sons had been killed (she had known many of their sisters and fiancees though she moved to the village some 20 years after the war).
One of my great-grandfathers was at Gallipoli and wrote this in a letter on April 27, 1915
"... Five tows of five boats each, with some 30 or 40 men in each came on to 'V' beach simultaneously with ourselves, and in ten minutes there were some 400 dead and wounded on the beach and in the water. Not more than 10 per cent. got safe to land and took shelter under the edge of the sand. ... Thereafter the wounded cried out all day and for 36 hours---in every boat, lighter, hopper, and along the shore. It was horrible, and all within 200 yards of our guns trying to find and shoot the shooters."
(the letter was to a military superior so didn't fall, I suspect, under the censorship rules.)
Can't fail to be affected by this song. I first heard it sung by Mike Harding on his album Bombers Moon.
ReplyDeleteThe Accrington Pals on the same album also gets me weepy.
http://www.pals.org.uk/song.htm
Malcolm, I love it, too, but it's so sad.
ReplyDeleteErp, how awful. That was the war to end wars, and look where's it's got us.
TheMe, I listened to your song. very moving.