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 contemn.
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.
15 comments:
So moving. It must be Binyon's best piece. (Let's hope everyone who reads it in the next few days remembers that it's 'grow not old' - it makes a world of difference.)
Thanks for reminding me of this poem - and of the poem above here.
It is good to remember and to see that now young people are being taken to places like the Menin Gate to learn about the awful slaughter.
Greetings over the Hambleton Hills. Is it as wet there as here?
Two beautiful poems and one glorious photo. We celebrate Armistice Day on Tuesday here.
Denise
This is beautiful
Thank you
xx
Denise
This is beautiful
Thank you
xx
This is a beautiful poem. Thank you for posting it and reminding us to remember. BJ
What a beautiful tribute for Remembrance Sunday
Very appropriate. The only flowers that could grow in Flanders at that time.
Hi, thanks so much for stopping by from David's Sunday Roast...You write wonderfully!
Perfect.
Beautiful poem for Remembrance Sunday.
simple, lovely.
Veteran's Day here and I wonder how many folks actually give thought as to why this day is now a National Holiday or if they are just thinking of it as another day away from work?
Beautiful words for sure in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price for freedom -regardless of where one lives -this side of the pond or yours.
Lovely. Poetry says it all, doesn't it?
outstanding photo . I always think of your friend when I come to your blog. Wondering why??
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