I was there when Jim performed this song at the Remembrance Service and I actually cried my contact lenses out! This song does not have enough credit, it is so wonderful.
I arrived early for a talk he was giving at Harwich Shanty Festival a couple of years ago and, looking for the room, he ran up two flights of stairs in front of me. Belated Birthday Greetings, Jim!
I first learned of this song and tribute today the 75th rememberance day of the invasion that saved the world. Thank you Jim and God bless you. Everyone one should hear this song evfery June 6th, lest we forget.
Wow, you were only 15-years old at the time. Thank you and your courageous generation for freeing the world of evil. When I hear this beautiful and realistic song, I feel like I am one of the soldiers in the boat sailing to the Normandy beach. I love the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' because it puts you on the beach in battle and it makes you feel like you are one of the soldiers. This song does exactly the same thing, it puts you in the boat with those brave heroes. God bless you!
Was pretty damn close to the real thing the Omaha Beach scene at the start as well, rather though is the US's part of course the allied forces,why ultimately I take our alliedship with the US incredibly seriously love it actually
I love this song, it makes my heart swell every time I hear it, profound and touching, thank you Jim and all others who gave their lives for future generations ❤
I first heard this wonderful piece of poetry in 2014 and was so moved by it that I rang the BBC and the British Legion in an attempt to find out if it was possible to buy a disc of it. No one could help me at the time but I obviously was not alone in thinking how great it was. Thank you, Thank you. My Dad was a Chief Petty Officer on Destroyers. Thanks be to God he came home safely and lived to be 94.
I’m a boomer , 57 years old , but admire , respect and love all of the hero’s of Normandy and anywhere else the allied forces fought back to back … Sir Radford has told their story , Thank you Sir !!
Today we remember the fallen soldiers who fell at Normandy and until final liberation of Europe from fascism.Lest we forget.rest in peace and we will never forget your sacrifice on the alter of liberty and freedom.God Bless them.Anthony J Morton ESQ
Fuck the EU is all I'll say, heard (really hope its not true) about trade things with China after this pandemic is ugh makes me ill thinking about it, may as well piss on all those peoples graves as far as I am concerned!
In the cold grey light of the sixth of June, in the year of forty-four, The Empire Larch sailed out from Poole to join with thousands more. The largest fleet the world had seen, we sailed in close array, And we set our course for Normandy at the dawning of the day. There was not one man in all our crew but knew what lay in store, For we had waited for that day through five long years of war. We knew that many would not return, yet all our hearts were true, For we were bound for Normandy, where we had a job to do. Now the Empire Larch was a deep-sea tug with a crew of thirty-three, And I was just the galley-boy on my first trip to sea. I little thought when I left home of the dreadful sights I'd see, But I came to manhood on the day that I first saw Normandy. At the Beach of Gold off Arromanches, 'neath the rockets' deadly glare, We towed our blockships into place and we built a harbour there. 'Mid shot and shell we built it well, as history does agree, While brave men died in the swirling tide on the shores of Normandy. Like the Rodney and the Nelson, there were ships of great renown, But rescue tugs all did their share as many a ship went down. We ran our pontoons to the shore within the Mulberry's lee, And we made safe berth for the tanks and guns that would set all Europe free. For every hero's name that's known, a thousand died as well. On stakes and wire their bodies hung, rocked in the ocean swell; And many a mother wept that day for the sons they loved so well, Men who cracked a joke and cadged a smoke as they stormed the gates of hell. As the years pass by, I can still recall the men I saw that day Who died upon that blood-soaked sand where now sweet children play; And those of you who were unborn, who've lived in liberty, Remember those who made it so on the shores of Normandy. ____________ Jim is a D-day veteran and folk singer who wrote this song. I just watched him perform it on tv at a banquet to commemorate the 70th anniversary. Read and don't be ashamed to shed a tear for the thousands of young lives lost on that day. And thanks to Higgs for re-posting my Bill Millin poem.
@miladymignonne Yeah why I like appreciating things like that, like even watching a tv show of a family going through the limitations a little bit ago of how difficult rationing was, actually earlier on in my life was allergy to eggs (still am a bit but its nowhere near as bad as it was) due to the heavy limits put on eggs (was I think a limit of one egg being allowed per household I think I cant really remember to be honest) someone had made a cake without eggs, so yeah have eaten least one thing that was eaten during WW2. Also not to mention to be completely honest due to what happened precisely with the blackouts, I'd not have been born well the way I am
I was there doing the royal navy muster, and to this day that song still puts a frog in my throat. Thank you for your service, i shall continue mine :)
More than a song, this is an hymn for all those soldiers who falled on the field of honour, on the holly beaches of Normandy. Merci beaucoup Monsieur Jim Radford. I hope this hymn will become the hymn for the future British mémorial to be raised in Ver sur Mer, Normandie, France, scheduled to be inaugurated in 2024.
That must be utterly terrible to have to think about when watching this, can't put it into words what my grandparents meant to me well on my fathers side (not to neglect in anyway my mothers parents at all though love them just as equally) but largely due to what happened in Britain during WW2 100% honestly speaking I'd never have been born
@@LadyDeath6666 Yeah when my dad would ask his dad about what it was like during WW2 he'd always respond with "you don't want to know" when actually going on a cruise my dad and I went to the area where he would have been during the 2nd time he served loading bombs onto planes on HMS Victorious when bringing some things back he started vaguely opening up about it one moment he said (my dad said can't remember where I was but yeah having a discussion) 'this bomb scooted across the deck and said goodbye to everyone'
To Girl and Blue Dane : I feel your pain very much. Sorry I don't know your name but I knew Jim very well (and Jenny his Wife). I did not know he had passed and am very sad to learn of it. I was at Jim's "Eighty Not Out" birthday bash and when I saw him in Hull in 2019 I asked him if he had a "Ninety Not Out" birthday bash and he said yes, he had one for family and one for folkyfriends!! I heard about this song just before 6th June 2019 and when I saw him in Hull I asked him if he would mind if I learned it and sang it. He said "That would be fine". I have sung it out a few times but I get teared up it's hard to do. Will be worse now I know he is watching me from above. I loved him in my own way. 💟
So disrespectful to thumbs down .....this man was telling his story of Normandy . Respect cost nothing ...
I was there when Jim performed this song at the Remembrance Service and I actually cried my contact lenses out! This song does not have enough credit, it is so wonderful.
I am honoured to know Jim. He is the most incredible human being, and celebrated his 90th birthday this week. Many happy returns to a bona fide hero.
I arrived early for a talk he was giving at Harwich Shanty Festival a couple of years ago and, looking for the room, he ran up two flights of stairs in front of me. Belated Birthday Greetings, Jim!
He died sadly in 2020, was a Yorkie like myself haha
I first learned of this song and tribute today the 75th rememberance day of the invasion that saved the world. Thank you Jim and God bless you. Everyone one should hear this song evfery June 6th, lest we forget.
Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Jim Radford 🎖️ 🌺 🇬🇧
Wow, you were only 15-years old at the time. Thank you and your courageous generation for freeing the world of evil. When I hear this beautiful and realistic song, I feel like I am one of the soldiers in the boat sailing to the Normandy beach. I love the movie 'Saving Private Ryan' because it puts you on the beach in battle and it makes you feel like you are one of the soldiers. This song does exactly the same thing, it puts you in the boat with those brave heroes. God bless you!
Was pretty damn close to the real thing the Omaha Beach scene at the start as well, rather though is the US's part of course the allied forces,why ultimately I take our alliedship with the US incredibly seriously love it actually
Thank you for your service. This is a wonderful song. Neither will be forgotten.
Amazing that this performance still recieves accolades 18 months later. Quite a hard act to follow!
Evan a round of applause from her majesty thank you for what you done
I CAN'T LISTEN TO YOU MR. RADFORD WITHOUT A TEAR. GODSPEED TO YOU AND ALL THOSE FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND THOSE FOR THEIR SACRIFICE!
I love this song, it makes my heart swell every time I hear it, profound and touching, thank you Jim and all others who gave their lives for future generations ❤
I only heard this last week, as an old soldier it made my heart dance. Brilliant Jim
Hope you're doing well Andy
I first heard this wonderful piece of poetry in 2014 and was so moved by it that I rang the BBC and the British Legion in an attempt to find out if it was possible to buy a disc of it. No one could help me at the time but I obviously was not alone in thinking how great it was. Thank you, Thank you. My Dad was a Chief Petty Officer on Destroyers. Thanks be to God he came home safely and lived to be 94.
Beautiful! Moved me to tears just listening to this.
Love this man! Was at one of his many 90th birthday celebrations!
I’m a boomer , 57 years old , but admire , respect and love all of the hero’s of Normandy and anywhere else the allied forces fought back to back … Sir Radford has told their story , Thank you Sir !!
Today we remember the fallen soldiers who fell at Normandy and until final liberation of Europe from fascism.Lest we forget.rest in peace and we will never forget your sacrifice on the alter of liberty and freedom.God Bless them.Anthony J Morton ESQ
Well said sir, I applaud your comment, the fascists never went away but rebranded themselves under the guise of the EU
Fuck the EU is all I'll say, heard (really hope its not true) about trade things with China after this pandemic is ugh makes me ill thinking about it, may as well piss on all those peoples graves as far as I am concerned!
Well done, Jim. Beautifully sung.
God bless every one of them - Lest we forget
Beautiful yet sad. Awesome.
This brought tears to my eyes.
'91 gulf war vet.
The Greatest Generation indeed.
Brilliant and very moving - cheers Jim
Thank you, sir
In the cold grey light of the sixth of June, in the year of forty-four,
The Empire Larch sailed out from Poole to join with thousands more.
The largest fleet the world had seen, we sailed in close array,
And we set our course for Normandy at the dawning of the day.
There was not one man in all our crew but knew what lay in store,
For we had waited for that day through five long years of war.
We knew that many would not return, yet all our hearts were true,
For we were bound for Normandy, where we had a job to do.
Now the Empire Larch was a deep-sea tug with a crew of thirty-three,
And I was just the galley-boy on my first trip to sea.
I little thought when I left home of the dreadful sights I'd see,
But I came to manhood on the day that I first saw Normandy.
At the Beach of Gold off Arromanches, 'neath the rockets' deadly glare,
We towed our blockships into place and we built a harbour there.
'Mid shot and shell we built it well, as history does agree,
While brave men died in the swirling tide on the shores of Normandy.
Like the Rodney and the Nelson, there were ships of great renown,
But rescue tugs all did their share as many a ship went down.
We ran our pontoons to the shore within the Mulberry's lee,
And we made safe berth for the tanks and guns that would set all Europe free.
For every hero's name that's known, a thousand died as well.
On stakes and wire their bodies hung, rocked in the ocean swell;
And many a mother wept that day for the sons they loved so well,
Men who cracked a joke and cadged a smoke as they stormed the gates of hell.
As the years pass by, I can still recall the men I saw that day
Who died upon that blood-soaked sand where now sweet children play;
And those of you who were unborn, who've lived in liberty,
Remember those who made it so on the shores of Normandy.
____________
Jim is a D-day veteran and folk singer who wrote this song. I just watched him perform it on tv at a banquet to commemorate the 70th anniversary.
Read and don't be ashamed to shed a tear for the thousands of young lives lost on that day. And thanks to Higgs for re-posting my Bill Millin poem.
Thanks for posting the words up Carl - they become all the more real as we're able to sing along with Jim.
Very welcome
@miladymignonne Yeah why I like appreciating things like that, like even watching a tv show of a family going through the limitations a little bit ago of how difficult rationing was, actually earlier on in my life was allergy to eggs (still am a bit but its nowhere near as bad as it was) due to the heavy limits put on eggs (was I think a limit of one egg being allowed per household I think I cant really remember to be honest) someone had made a cake without eggs, so yeah have eaten least one thing that was eaten during WW2.
Also not to mention to be completely honest due to what happened precisely with the blackouts, I'd not have been born well the way I am
Was there. Absolutely brilliant
I was at the Royal Albert Hall on this day. I'm a proud ex 1970s Royal Air Force airman.
patches53 I was there too :) thank you for your service.
I was there doing the royal navy muster, and to this day that song still puts a frog in my throat. Thank you for your service, i shall continue mine :)
thank you for this
Fantastic. Well done Jim Radford. God Bless.
RIP dear Jim. We certainly won't forget you.
Great song Great Respect Sir Jim
A beautiful & appropriate sea chantey for D-Day week!
Haunting ..so very special as a member of the RBL i salute Jim Radford RIP
Great song
More than a song, this is an hymn for all those soldiers who falled on the field of honour, on the holly beaches of Normandy. Merci beaucoup Monsieur Jim Radford. I hope this hymn will become the hymn for the future British mémorial to be raised in Ver sur Mer, Normandie, France, scheduled to be inaugurated in 2024.
i m emotional..............nice 1 JIM
I listen to this regularly. My grandad was killed Dunkirk, May 1940, presumed killed in action. Never found his body. RAOC.
That must be utterly terrible to have to think about when watching this, can't put it into words what my grandparents meant to me well on my fathers side (not to neglect in anyway my mothers parents at all though love them just as equally) but largely due to what happened in Britain during WW2 100% honestly speaking I'd never have been born
Jeremy Smith my mum was 2, she had 4 brothers all under 10. Her youngest brother wasn’t even born yet when my granny got word of his presumed death.
@@LadyDeath6666 Yeah when my dad would ask his dad about what it was like during WW2 he'd always respond with "you don't want to know" when actually going on a cruise my dad and I went to the area where he would have been during the 2nd time he served loading bombs onto planes on HMS Victorious when bringing some things back he started vaguely opening up about it one moment he said (my dad said can't remember where I was but yeah having a discussion) 'this bomb scooted across the deck and said goodbye to everyone'
Beautiful song
well done JIM i will never forget our hero
Très touchante chanson que nous devrions écouter chaque 6 juin en mémoire de tous ces hommes morts pour la paix sur les cotes normandes.
Who is that 7 jerks who dislike this song??
Sad sacks of crap that who
Honour and Respect .·.
RIP Jim.
The one show brought me here
God bless you all xxx
Definitely a one-man song only to be recorded and sung by the author Jim Radcliff!!!! No covers to be allowed,!!!
I wept !
Were I the Queen I would have stood.
shame on the thunbs down,if it was not for are brave men you who not be here
It makes me cry because he is my grandad and he is now dead!! Because of this stupid covid!!
I'm so sorry for you - but I love your grandad's song. You must be very proud of your grandad. Take care and fond thoughts.
To Girl and Blue Dane : I feel your pain very much. Sorry I don't know your name but I knew Jim very well (and Jenny his Wife). I did not know he had passed and am very sad to learn of it. I was at Jim's "Eighty Not Out" birthday bash and when I saw him in Hull in 2019 I asked him if he had a "Ninety Not Out" birthday bash and he said yes, he had one for family and one for folkyfriends!! I heard about this song just before 6th June 2019 and when I saw him in Hull I asked him if he would mind if I learned it and sang it. He said "That would be fine". I have sung it out a few times but I get teared up it's hard to do. Will be worse now I know he is watching me from above. I loved him in my own way. 💟