I sing the praise of honored wars of glory and of kings
The bravery of soldiers, The joy that peace can bring
The captains on their way home, The ribbons on their chests
They’ve packed away the firearms the trumpets lay to rest…
They’ve taken in the battlefields with one last weary breath
And set their sights on something new while there’s still something left
The poets and the dreamers thank the stars above
For leaving hatred in the dust and bringing back the love…
[i]Over land and over sea
March The Heroes Home
For the faithful, for the free
March The Heroes Home
We’ll be waiting when you
March The Heroes Home
All the night and day through
March The Heroes Home…[/i]
The flowers laughing in the fields boast colors bright and new
A hint of freedom in the air, the chimes are ringing true
They’re bringing in the New Year and ringing out the old
Beckoning the springtime though winter winds blow cold…
[i]Over land and over sea
March The Heroes Home
For the faithful, for the free
March The Heroes Home
We’ll be waiting when you
March The Heroes Home
All the night and day through
March The Heroes Home…[/i]
What a collection of loathsome characters on that stage. But hey, I hear that Pete Seeger thinks Uncle Joe wasn’t all that anymore. Who says the port side never learns?
What would possess anyone (especially someone as intelligent as Dr. Harmon) to consider a song by 4 anti-war hippie traitors as appropriate for Memorial Day. Why not just have a video of Jane Fonda next time!!
I am VERY disappointed in this being labeled as Music for Memorial Day. SHAME!!!
Well, it is a beautiful song, and it does express the sorrow of losing young people in war. That’s how I listen to it anyway. Heck, I think John Lennon’s song Imagine is beautiful even though i have no desire for his expressed wishes to actually come true! ; > )
The song brings back memories.
I remember as a young girl, we had to sing this on Remembrance Day in Canada at school. I don’t see it as a hippie song but in remembering those who have died. We also had to memorize Flanders Field and wear plastic poppies we bought from veterans.
#5 has the reason for the song correct, and #4 is a good exemplar of American identity politics on display. Since I do not like or agree with x or y about the messenger, there goes the message. But surely in a world where everyone is bent, then soon nothing gets heard.
Despite my politics – I actually like Peter Paul & Mary and have the 10 Years Together CD – and it is a good song. That being said, Memorial Day is a time to honor our war dead and to thank them (posthumously) for the sacrifices that they made so that the American people and nation still exist and continuing to enjoy living in a free society. I am not sure that Peter, Paul and Mary view our war dead in that vein – though giving them the benefit of the doubt I hope that they do mourn their loss in some way. However, if in fact they were cheeing for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese to defeat our soldiers in the field (which would then mean more of ours to mourn) then they may not be an appropriate choice for Memorial Day observances.
I like the music of PP&M;, just not their politics. Can’t we like the music without endorsing the politics? I’ve used their music at Children’s Storytimes quite often, and have had both children and parents singing along, much more so that when I used modern kids songs, such as from “Barney”.
And let us not forget, Noel Paul Stookey is a born-again Christian. I even have one of his “Christian Music” LPs.
Seems like most don’t object to the song, just the singers.
I might vicariously enjoy the vision of the ideal world of a guitar-strumming hippie, but what I think about is all the men who died so that PPM were not singing their song en Deutsch.
Not only can they sing it in English without censorship but they don’t have to give all their money to the State of the Motherland/Fatherland.
I am grateful for all those who served and continue to serve.
For the Record, I would object to “Where have all the flowers gone” as a Memorial Day song even if it were sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (or the Choir of Kings College for that matter.)
The song emphasizes the negatives of the military (i.e. death of the soldiers in war). More appropriate lyrics for to commemorate Memorial Day might be:
(From The Battle Hymn of the Republic): “He died to make men holy; let us Die to make men free!” or (From the National Anthem) O Blest be it ever when free men shall stand; between their loved homes and wars desolation.
Memorial day is a day to CELEBRATE our War dead, NOT JUST “REMEMBER” them.
As President Lincoln said: They gave the Last full measure of devotion.
On a more realistic note: good grief, they have aged. Time has not stood still for the trio. One of the few consolations of getting old and wrinkly and, let us be honest, towards the rotund, is discovering that the same thing has happened to famous people who once used to be as svelte as you were.
“Over the years, Noel (Paul) and I have started to look more and more like brothers. But perhaps not in ways we would LIKE to be more and more alike” (he then rubs his hand over his balding brow).
I like the lyrics. They show the proper respect for the brave deeds of the soldiers. The return of peace and the leaving of hate in the dust and the return of love are all RESULTS of the bravery of the Heroes.
I guess it is a matter of outlook.
PP and Mary: It was bad that the soldiers died, what a waste.
Your song, (and my opinion): It was bad that the soldiers died, but I am very thankful that they were willing to do so!
Here’s a modern one you might want to add:
Blackmore’s Night
March the heroes home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLlhYco5ZBU
I sing the praise of honored wars of glory and of kings
The bravery of soldiers, The joy that peace can bring
The captains on their way home, The ribbons on their chests
They’ve packed away the firearms the trumpets lay to rest…
They’ve taken in the battlefields with one last weary breath
And set their sights on something new while there’s still something left
The poets and the dreamers thank the stars above
For leaving hatred in the dust and bringing back the love…
[i]Over land and over sea
March The Heroes Home
For the faithful, for the free
March The Heroes Home
We’ll be waiting when you
March The Heroes Home
All the night and day through
March The Heroes Home…[/i]
The flowers laughing in the fields boast colors bright and new
A hint of freedom in the air, the chimes are ringing true
They’re bringing in the New Year and ringing out the old
Beckoning the springtime though winter winds blow cold…
[i]Over land and over sea
March The Heroes Home
For the faithful, for the free
March The Heroes Home
We’ll be waiting when you
March The Heroes Home
All the night and day through
March The Heroes Home…[/i]
What a collection of loathsome characters on that stage. But hey, I hear that Pete Seeger thinks Uncle Joe wasn’t all that anymore. Who says the port side never learns?
Croon, hippie, croon.
What would possess anyone (especially someone as intelligent as Dr. Harmon) to consider a song by 4 anti-war hippie traitors as appropriate for Memorial Day. Why not just have a video of Jane Fonda next time!!
I am VERY disappointed in this being labeled as Music for Memorial Day. SHAME!!!
Well, it is a beautiful song, and it does express the sorrow of losing young people in war. That’s how I listen to it anyway. Heck, I think John Lennon’s song Imagine is beautiful even though i have no desire for his expressed wishes to actually come true! ; > )
The song brings back memories.
I remember as a young girl, we had to sing this on Remembrance Day in Canada at school. I don’t see it as a hippie song but in remembering those who have died. We also had to memorize Flanders Field and wear plastic poppies we bought from veterans.
#5 has the reason for the song correct, and #4 is a good exemplar of American identity politics on display. Since I do not like or agree with x or y about the messenger, there goes the message. But surely in a world where everyone is bent, then soon nothing gets heard.
It is a good song.
Despite my politics – I actually like Peter Paul & Mary and have the 10 Years Together CD – and it is a good song. That being said, Memorial Day is a time to honor our war dead and to thank them (posthumously) for the sacrifices that they made so that the American people and nation still exist and continuing to enjoy living in a free society. I am not sure that Peter, Paul and Mary view our war dead in that vein – though giving them the benefit of the doubt I hope that they do mourn their loss in some way. However, if in fact they were cheeing for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese to defeat our soldiers in the field (which would then mean more of ours to mourn) then they may not be an appropriate choice for Memorial Day observances.
I like the music of PP&M;, just not their politics. Can’t we like the music without endorsing the politics? I’ve used their music at Children’s Storytimes quite often, and have had both children and parents singing along, much more so that when I used modern kids songs, such as from “Barney”.
And let us not forget, Noel Paul Stookey is a born-again Christian. I even have one of his “Christian Music” LPs.
Seems like most don’t object to the song, just the singers.
I might vicariously enjoy the vision of the ideal world of a guitar-strumming hippie, but what I think about is all the men who died so that PPM were not singing their song en Deutsch.
That’s the reality lost on their ilk…
Not only can they sing it in English without censorship but they don’t have to give all their money to the State of the Motherland/Fatherland.
I am grateful for all those who served and continue to serve.
For the Record, I would object to “Where have all the flowers gone” as a Memorial Day song even if it were sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (or the Choir of Kings College for that matter.)
The song emphasizes the negatives of the military (i.e. death of the soldiers in war). More appropriate lyrics for to commemorate Memorial Day might be:
(From The Battle Hymn of the Republic): “He died to make men holy; let us Die to make men free!” or (From the National Anthem) O Blest be it ever when free men shall stand; between their loved homes and wars desolation.
Memorial day is a day to CELEBRATE our War dead, NOT JUST “REMEMBER” them.
As President Lincoln said: They gave the Last full measure of devotion.
So, Recchip, what do you think of the song I posted as an alternative way up at the top of the replies in this thread??? 🙂
On a more realistic note: good grief, they have aged. Time has not stood still for the trio. One of the few consolations of getting old and wrinkly and, let us be honest, towards the rotund, is discovering that the same thing has happened to famous people who once used to be as svelte as you were.
Terry,
That’s what Peter Yarrow has said about time:
“Over the years, Noel (Paul) and I have started to look more and more like brothers. But perhaps not in ways we would LIKE to be more and more alike” (he then rubs his hand over his balding brow).
Libraryjim,
I like the lyrics. They show the proper respect for the brave deeds of the soldiers. The return of peace and the leaving of hate in the dust and the return of love are all RESULTS of the bravery of the Heroes.
I guess it is a matter of outlook.
PP and Mary: It was bad that the soldiers died, what a waste.
Your song, (and my opinion): It was bad that the soldiers died, but I am very thankful that they were willing to do so!