"We shall remember them." And Flanders did, every day, long before the tourists came and it became a required visit, the buglers of Ypres sounded the Last Post on empty days without a single witness through the years to honour all the men and women who gave up their one true sole possession, their very existence.
they stopped when Germans occupied the town during WW2 and resumed the same evening allied forces liberated it, while there was still fighting going on. don't underestimate their dedication. I've heard rumors of rogue buglers risking their life during the occupation, I have no sources to confirm aside from hearsay.
This poem was written by McCrae, who came from Guelph (where I grew up). I used to walk by his house, which is now a landmark in the town. The poem is recited yearly in the schools, and read at our November 11th remembrance ceremonies. It’s chilling, melancholy, and full of the pain and horror of war - and a hint of the hope and duty so embedded in the men and women of the First World War. Thanks for reading it Tex. We Remember.
I recommend walking the fields of Flanders with this in mind. I’m not sure how to describe the sense of loss, nothingness, and community it brought to me.
I remember the awkwardness of a bunch of Canadian elementary students reciting the line "We are the dead." Looking at one another, whilst trying to keep pace with recital. First learning this poem, it really does fly over your head, like a lark. Thanks for reading this one Tex. Glad to be able to reintroduce 'In Flanders fields' to my mind, my thoughts.
I had the opportunity to visit Ypres one summer. Our tour guide had us read two poems: this one, and another called "The Answer": Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead The fight that you so bravely led We've taken up. And we will keep True faith with you who lie asleep, With each a cross to mark his bed, And poppies blowing overhead, When once his own life-blood ran red So let your rest be sweet and deep In Flanders Fields. Fear not that ye have died for naught; The torch ye threw to us we caught, Ten million hands will hold it high, And freedom's light shall never die! We've learned the lesson that ye taught In Flanders' fields. Both were very moving, especially to be recited at the very battlefield which the author McCrae one fought on. Excellent reading, Mr. Tex!
For 25 years from the 1980s to 2010, I attended a SF convention in Columbus Ohio, that many times was on Memorial Day weekend. Every year it was, there was a veterans group at the rest area between Columbus and Cincinnati, handing out the little poppies. One at least one occasion I helped explain to another traveler what the poppies were in reference to. At least one of the WWII vets handing the poppies out in the 90s mentioned having gone to Flanders while over there himself, in 1944 or 1945, and how that affected him, as the WWII generation was all too familiar with the poem, and then they were there, taking up the quarrel, almost two decades later.
I don't remember exactly what year of high school, but the choirs always did a Veteran's Day performance to honor those who served. We did a rendition of In Flander's Fields one year, and every time I hear the song, read, or see the poem, I get teary-eyed. Thank you Tex, it's a wonderful poem well read.
One of the most striking moments in my life was when I was planning a trip to France, with the intent to take a side trip and pay my respects at the Australian National Memorial near Villers Bretoneux. I decided it was worth stopping at another spot or two so asked Google to show me war graves in the area. Not one pixel of the map was visible under all of the markers, from 2 graves in a farmer's yard all the way up to the big sites. Hit me like a truck. Lest we forget.
When I was a kid, I had to recite this, along with the whole student body, every Remembrance Day. As such, to this day, I have to correct myself on the wording mistakes I made as a child back then, barely comprehending what we were doingat the time.
Thankyou Mr. Tex, this poem is very dear to my heart, as both an Australian and a child of the dual monarchy, I have ancestors from both sides of that hellish conflict, and it behooves us to remmember them!
For upon the dawn the trench we wait, to hear the whistle that will ensure, we know not many will make it home. Flanders fields always reminds me of what our last WW1 veteran of my family who served in the Calgary fighting tenth said once "For flags may change and people may forget but as long as this ground is called Canada it is both our right and responsibility to defend it. Those words helped me through my enlistment and deployment. Merry Christmas and God bless.
They shall not grow old in Flanders fields, where blood spilled and lives lost were the ultimate toll paid for the price of peace. God speed gentlemen 07
"Take up our quarrel with our foe" I don't think this line refers to fighting the other side of the war. Rather, the quarrel is with war itself. It is a demand that people never stop searching for a way to bring an end to humanity's cycle of conflict. A really great reading, by the way.
Sadly, I don't think that was the intention of the author. The poem was written in 1916, when it was clear to everyone the horrifying nature of modern war, but there was still a widespread sense that "We are right, God's on our side and we MUST win, if only to have made this all worth it"
@@weldonwin yup, its very much worth understanding that from a British/empire standpoint the war was very much seen as "we are the good guys, lets go smash the hun!" British involvement was solely down to the German invasion of Belgium, a neutral nation that the UK was duty bound to protect under the terms of the treaty of London. Now the UK may well have ended up involved regardless given the UK inevitably would stick its boot in to any European conflict with the risk of creating a mainland European power that could meaningfully challenge the British empire and had been for over 100 years at that point. But with the invasion of Belgium the narrative back in UK instantly became one of " Belgium was a nation who was neutral, those vile Germans totally disregarded her neutrality and this cant be allowed to stand, nobody likes a bully" There would have pretty much always been a belief that regardless of how awful the fighting actually was that we were there for the right reasons and defeating the Germans/liberating the Belgians was the right thing
The 'foe' mentioned is indeed referencing the actual guys across the trenches. which is why very often this part of the poem gets left behind when it's mentioned or printed on postcards and such. my history teacher once mentioned there's likely a lot of people who are very familiar with the poem but have never heard that part before. granted, this was back in the 90's pre-google
Excellent recitation I'd love to hear Kubla Kahn by Coleridge, sometime. And hell, Ancient Mariner would be excellent as well, but a more ambitious reading
Being from Flanders, this blindsided me. Was expecting an Atlas or Hunchback in there somehow, but got treated to something else entirely. Rest assured, remembrance is still a part of our modern culture here.
Great minds think alike...that one might be a tad rough on Tex's vocal cords, but would be wonderful to hear. Plus, his sick mind would be able to play it over & over on top of SS14 streams!
On the 11th Hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, year of Our Lord 19 and 18. The greatest war known to mankind came to an end. And it's likes would never be seen again. Tragically that last line is a falsity, that the passing of 85 million people would ultimately attest to.
Mmmm. Odd rhyme structure confuses Grug, but Grug think understand. Dead warrior caste hope sacrifice in cowabunga no gone to waste, hope future generations pick up fire and keep tribe alive. Grug correct? Grug not smart. Grug probably missing deeper meaning. Grug go touch grass now. Then watch next poem. Thank for video, Tex man, and for lesson.
To be quiet honest, I find it fairly revolting that this piece of war propaganda became the face of rememberence for that pointless conflict in the english speaking world.
From what i know, John Mccrae wrote the poem in honor of his fallen friend, so it´s actually very fiting as a poetry to remeber those who fell so we may live on.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
this is a very special poem to Canadians, it's read during our remembrance day every year. powerful delivery. thank you Tex.
Every Canadian child learns this for November 11th
@@MMDelta9 so true!
Least we forget o7
From this Canadian to you, thank you for this.
"We shall remember them." And Flanders did, every day, long before the tourists came and it became a required visit, the buglers of Ypres sounded the Last Post on empty days without a single witness through the years to honour all the men and women who gave up their one true sole possession, their very existence.
they stopped when Germans occupied the town during WW2 and resumed the same evening allied forces liberated it, while there was still fighting going on. don't underestimate their dedication. I've heard rumors of rogue buglers risking their life during the occupation, I have no sources to confirm aside from hearsay.
This poem was written by McCrae, who came from Guelph (where I grew up). I used to walk by his house, which is now a landmark in the town.
The poem is recited yearly in the schools, and read at our November 11th remembrance ceremonies. It’s chilling, melancholy, and full of the pain and horror of war - and a hint of the hope and duty so embedded in the men and women of the First World War.
Thanks for reading it Tex. We Remember.
This poem...up until this reading, I never really grasped the meaning and depth behind it. Thank you,Tex, for this magnificent reading.
I recommend walking the fields of Flanders with this in mind. I’m not sure how to describe the sense of loss, nothingness, and community it brought to me.
I remember the awkwardness of a bunch of Canadian elementary students reciting the line "We are the dead." Looking at one another, whilst trying to keep pace with recital. First learning this poem, it really does fly over your head, like a lark.
Thanks for reading this one Tex. Glad to be able to reintroduce 'In Flanders fields' to my mind, my thoughts.
I had the opportunity to visit Ypres one summer. Our tour guide had us read two poems: this one, and another called "The Answer":
Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead
The fight that you so bravely led
We've taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep,
With each a cross to mark his bed,
And poppies blowing overhead,
When once his own life-blood ran red
So let your rest be sweet and deep
In Flanders Fields.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
The torch ye threw to us we caught,
Ten million hands will hold it high,
And freedom's light shall never die!
We've learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders' fields.
Both were very moving, especially to be recited at the very battlefield which the author McCrae one fought on. Excellent reading, Mr. Tex!
Thank you Mr. Tex and the BPL you guys make life just a little more worth living.
For 25 years from the 1980s to 2010, I attended a SF convention in Columbus Ohio, that many times was on Memorial Day weekend. Every year it was, there was a veterans group at the rest area between Columbus and Cincinnati, handing out the little poppies. One at least one occasion I helped explain to another traveler what the poppies were in reference to. At least one of the WWII vets handing the poppies out in the 90s mentioned having gone to Flanders while over there himself, in 1944 or 1945, and how that affected him, as the WWII generation was all too familiar with the poem, and then they were there, taking up the quarrel, almost two decades later.
i like when tex does poetry
I live 5 minutes from where he was when he wrote this. eternal gratitude to him and those who fought alongside him from all over the Commonwealth. O7
Oh cool I didn't know I was going to openly weep today
I don't remember exactly what year of high school, but the choirs always did a Veteran's Day performance to honor those who served. We did a rendition of In Flander's Fields one year, and every time I hear the song, read, or see the poem, I get teary-eyed.
Thank you Tex, it's a wonderful poem well read.
One of the most striking moments in my life was when I was planning a trip to France, with the intent to take a side trip and pay my respects at the Australian National Memorial near Villers Bretoneux. I decided it was worth stopping at another spot or two so asked Google to show me war graves in the area.
Not one pixel of the map was visible under all of the markers, from 2 graves in a farmer's yard all the way up to the big sites. Hit me like a truck.
Lest we forget.
As said every Anzac Day and Rememberence day in Australia
That was beautiful Tex.
When I was a kid, I had to recite this, along with the whole student body, every Remembrance Day. As such, to this day, I have to correct myself on the wording mistakes I made as a child back then, barely comprehending what we were doingat the time.
Thank you for this reading, Tex. It's good to know that you are continuing your poetry talk.
California's favorite flower 😮😊 thank God for all who fights for freedom, and God bless Tex for this video. Hat tip good sir
This is becoming a great way to start my lunch break on night shift. Simply amazing.
A poem I've heard every November since I was young and I'll never get sick of it.
I'm a Yankee boy and had never heard this poem until like 8yrs ago when I moved abroad...very moving.
I still remember reciting this every year as a kid at school. One of those things that sticks with you
Thank you BPL crew. Another Canadian here appreciating what you do.
My eyes filled with water around 0:35. I kept expecting your voice to break. If it did, I would have been sobbing.
Thankyou Mr. Tex, this poem is very dear to my heart, as both an Australian and a child of the dual monarchy, I have ancestors from both sides of that hellish conflict, and it behooves us to remmember them!
Whether taken by my suggestion or already on the list of things to do, thanks for recording this one Tex.
That almost made me cry man. Beautiful
I tear up a little every time I hear this poem
I never heard this before, I'm Swedish so it's not that strange. Thank you for a lovely reading of a good poem.
...I have family buried in Flanders. Thank you for this recital Tex!
Nice one, Tex. One that stuck with me is "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen.
For upon the dawn the trench we wait, to hear the whistle that will ensure, we know not many will make it home. Flanders fields always reminds me of what our last WW1 veteran of my family who served in the Calgary fighting tenth said once "For flags may change and people may forget but as long as this ground is called Canada it is both our right and responsibility to defend it. Those words helped me through my enlistment and deployment. Merry Christmas and God bless.
"and they shall never grow old".
Love hearing ya Tex
Thanks for making me cry Tex.
Thank you for this classic Tex.
Thank you for this Tex, I am not Canadian, but its a beautiful poem.
This and "High Flight" are two of my favorite wartime poems.
Thank you, Tex
Merry Xmas BPL to the future and remberance of the past
I have been waiting for this one!!
They shall not grow old in Flanders fields, where blood spilled and lives lost were the ultimate toll paid for the price of peace.
God speed gentlemen 07
"Take up our quarrel with our foe"
I don't think this line refers to fighting the other side of the war. Rather, the quarrel is with war itself. It is a demand that people never stop searching for a way to bring an end to humanity's cycle of conflict.
A really great reading, by the way.
Sadly, I don't think that was the intention of the author. The poem was written in 1916, when it was clear to everyone the horrifying nature of modern war, but there was still a widespread sense that "We are right, God's on our side and we MUST win, if only to have made this all worth it"
@@weldonwin yup, its very much worth understanding that from a British/empire standpoint the war was very much seen as "we are the good guys, lets go smash the hun!" British involvement was solely down to the German invasion of Belgium, a neutral nation that the UK was duty bound to protect under the terms of the treaty of London.
Now the UK may well have ended up involved regardless given the UK inevitably would stick its boot in to any European conflict with the risk of creating a mainland European power that could meaningfully challenge the British empire and had been for over 100 years at that point. But with the invasion of Belgium the narrative back in UK instantly became one of " Belgium was a nation who was neutral, those vile Germans totally disregarded her neutrality and this cant be allowed to stand, nobody likes a bully" There would have pretty much always been a belief that regardless of how awful the fighting actually was that we were there for the right reasons and defeating the Germans/liberating the Belgians was the right thing
The 'foe' mentioned is indeed referencing the actual guys across the trenches. which is why very often this part of the poem gets left behind when it's mentioned or printed on postcards and such. my history teacher once mentioned there's likely a lot of people who are very familiar with the poem but have never heard that part before. granted, this was back in the 90's pre-google
Fair enough. But even with that being the intention at the time, I think it is still applicable in the modern understanding of war having no winners.
Merry Christmas Tex
Absolutely beautiful.
I so much enjoy these poetry videos... I would love to see a rendition of Yeats' The Second Coming from Tex.
I'd love to hear him do 'Boots.'
Can you do Laurence Binyon's For The Fallen? It's where the phrase "They shall not grow old" originates from.
Excellent recitation
I'd love to hear Kubla Kahn by Coleridge, sometime. And hell, Ancient Mariner would be excellent as well, but a more ambitious reading
Good one Tex
Sabaton had a version of this sung by a choir. I may be biased, but it never feels right unless recited by men.
Tex did it right.
Both, both are perfect.
😔lest we forget.... 🕯
Well done Tex.
Being from Flanders, this blindsided me. Was expecting an Atlas or Hunchback in there somehow, but got treated to something else entirely. Rest assured, remembrance is still a part of our modern culture here.
it would be nice to rest in such a place. it's not my fate, though. i'm to drink with my brothers in fiddler's green.
Moar! Moar!
Dare you to read nigh before Christmas on chistmas eve
Sabaton’s version is beautifully haunting
Cargonia Endures
🌼💐🌻🌺
Now for a poem about a brawl in wafflehouse, one fine hungover morning.
💐🌹🌺🌻🌼
🇨🇦
Given other youtube goings on, what are the odd of a "Boots" reading?
Great minds think alike...that one might be a tad rough on Tex's vocal cords, but would be wonderful to hear. Plus, his sick mind would be able to play it over & over on top of SS14 streams!
just waiting til you get to gottfried benn
On the 11th Hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, year of Our Lord 19 and 18. The greatest war known to mankind came to an end. And it's likes would never be seen again. Tragically that last line is a falsity, that the passing of 85 million people would ultimately attest to.
Mmmm. Odd rhyme structure confuses Grug, but Grug think understand. Dead warrior caste hope sacrifice in cowabunga no gone to waste, hope future generations pick up fire and keep tribe alive. Grug correct? Grug not smart. Grug probably missing deeper meaning. Grug go touch grass now. Then watch next poem. Thank for video, Tex man, and for lesson.
To be quiet honest, I find it fairly revolting that this piece of war propaganda became the face of rememberence for that pointless conflict in the english speaking world.
From what i know, John Mccrae wrote the poem in honor of his fallen friend, so it´s actually very fiting as a poetry to remeber those who fell so we may live on.
Stupid Flanders.