Sunday, November 09, 2008


Remembrance Sunday




In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

6 comments:

Span Ows said...

Lest we forget...did you know that John McCrae (doctor/medic)was nearly our age when he volunteered for active service when WWI broke out? He was my age when he died (46yrs old in 1918)

Paul said...

I went to our local Remembrance service today - didn't go in the church listened on the speakers. I don't know whether or not it was because it was the 90th anniversary but this year seemed so poignant. Many more young soldiers, which is a sign of the times.

I didn't know that about John McCrae. One thing I do remember is how his poem got picked to pieces by some scholars for being incorrect in so many ways from a literary point of view. I just think the imagery is so real.

The Great Gildersleeve said...

Yes, it makes you stop and think.
The weather was very bad here for this special day. First time for the new monument to be put into use. For years all we've had is a flag pole.

You have to be very unfeeling not to be moved by the stories and the music and readings given at this time.

Span Ows said...

Sorry to add this to a blog about remembrance but I thought you would appreciate some 'money talk'.

http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/11/iouk/

Good comments ;-)

Paul said...

Span - he makes some good points (okay you can get up off the floor). I was having a discussion with my boss the other day, he's a rabid Conservative, and we both agreed that in 50 years time people will look back on this period and wonder why the hell did it all go so wrong?

I like Lola's comments about the FSA - just what I said and what i.moore and myself have been saying on the 5Live boards. The FSA are just a monitoring organisation, they are reactive most of the time because they were set-up to be independent and offer the public confidence.

The banks are in bigger trouble than people know, it's a pity that people like John Redwood don't have a bigger stage than Newsnight and his blog.

Span Ows said...

Indeed...today I read in the Spanish press about the 18 billion hooha and Banco Santander...nowhwere to be seen in the UK ...except on JR blog today...well yesterday now!

What about Chelsea eh?!!!

Barcelona won on an accidental (the defender tripped behind and fell into Borjan) penalty in minute 86...

Sorry about my wandering random comments...you may note the odd hours!