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April 25, 2005
On This Day in 1915
Today is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand, and while I am neither Australian nor New Zealander, I always find myself in a somber mood on this day, and thinking of those who fought and died (or survived) that most terrible chapter in human history: the First World War.
I shall not pontificate on the horrors of war, nor the unmitigated gall and stupidity of those who would lead people down such hellish paths for profit, pride or prejudice, nor assail you with the lyrics of Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (though I would encourage you to give it a listen -- here's a snippet of a Pogues cover). I will simply leave you this:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
-- last verse, Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen"
Requiescat in pace, lads. Steady on.
Posted by Tacitus at April 25, 2005 02:30 PM
Comments
Kept meaning to comment, and now I finally am. How I have lived c.30 years without knowing about this, I have no idea. I mean, I know about Gallipoli and all, but didn't necessarily know about ANZAC day, or especially that it was about the WWI. The first time I heard about it was the other day on the BBC here in Sweden, and then you posted about it too. Better late than never, I suppose. Well done, well said, and the lyrics for "The Band Played Waltzing Maltilda" are truly powerful. Steady on, indeed.
Posted by: Rob at April 28, 2005 07:25 AM
By far the best rendition of "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" that I've heard is an a cappella piece by June Tabor. It is simply haunting.
Posted by: Tacitus at April 28, 2005 10:46 AM