Shawna Posted March 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Shawna, one thing to keep in mind is that Memorial Day commemorates those who have died in service to their country. Veterans Day commemorates those who lived through their war experiences. I'm glad you brought that up... on my drive to San Diego yesterday that exact thought occurred to me... (great minds and all that, right?) Your suggestions are great, everybody - thanks for the help. Keep it comin'. I've got much more time to play with this time around, and the input is a wonderful help! Does anyone know of any metal or rap songs about this? I'd like to get a good representation of all genres... I know that country is the one I'm most aware of for this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 "GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE (NO MAN'S LAND)" - DROPKICK MURPHYS Oh how do you do, young Willie McBride, Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside, And rest for a while in the warm summer sun, I've been walking all day and I'm nearly done And I see by your gravestone you were only 19 when you joined the Great Fallen in 1916 Well, I hope you died quick and I hope you died clean Or, Willie McBride, was it slow and obscene Did they beat the drum slowly Did they play the fife lowly Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down Did the band play the Last Post and Chorus Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined And though you died back in 1916 To that loyal heart you're forever 19 Or are you a stranger without even a name Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane In an old photograph torn, tattered and stained And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame. Did they beat the drum slowly Did they play the fife lowly Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down Did the band play the Last Post and Chorus Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest The sun shining down on these green fields of France The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance The trenches have vanished long under the plow No gas, no barbwire, no guns firing now But here in this graveyard that's still no man's land The countless white crosses in mute witness stand To man's blind indifference to his fellow man And a whole generation were butchered and damned Did they beat the drum slowly Did they play the fife lowly Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down Did the band play the Last Post and Chorus Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest And I can't help but wonder, young Willie McBride Do all those who lie here know why they died Did you really believe them when they told you the cause Did you really believe that this war would end wars Well the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain The killing and dying, it was all done in vain Oh, Willie McBride, it all happened again, And again and again and again and again Did they beat the drum slowly Did they play the fife lowly Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down Did the band play the Last Post and Chorus Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazooka Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Unknown Soldier -- The Doors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otokichi Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 (edited) This tune from Dan Tyminski's "Wheels" CD release and addresses "those who are left behind." (Also for those who have buildings, ships, and recreation fields named for them.) How long is this train son I heard his fragile voice I didn’t want to listen but there really was no choice It seems like it goes on forever and I waited for so long The old man’s breath came slow and smelled of whiskey in the dawn On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain There’s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train And as I waited for my sister to come down the metal stairs He told me that his son had not been home in fifteen years And I barely seemed to notice the tears behind his face But his wishes were no strangers to the people in this place The old man stood there waiting for a young man dressed in blue Then he handed him a neatly folded flag and said for you He said your son he died a hero in the service of this flag The old man took it gently put it in his paper bag Then I left him in the rain there but I’d still hear his voice I try hard not to listen but there really is no choice On a cold November morning in the gentle mist of rain There’s just so many reasons that people wait to meet a train How long is this train son I can hear the pouring rain I’m still reminded of him when I hear a passing train Edited March 17, 2009 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dappled Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Some Mother's Son by The Kinks This is also my nom for TT this week. Some mother's son lies in a field Someone has killed some mother's son today Head blown up by some soldiers gun While all the mothers stand and wait Some mother's son aint coming home today Some mother's son aint got no grave Two soldiers fighting in a trench One soldier glances up to see the sun And dreams of games he played when he was young And then his friend calls out his name It stops his dream and as he turns his head A second later he is dead Some mother's son lies in a field Back home they put his picture in a frame But all dead soldiers look the same While all the parents stand and wait To meet their children coming home from school Some mother's son is lying dead Somewhere someone is crying Someone is trying to be so brave But still the world keeps turning Though all the children have gone away Some mother's son lies in a field But in his mother's eyes he looks the same As on the day he went away They put his picture on the wall They put flowers in the picture frame Some mother's memory remains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does anyone know of any metal or rap songs about this? Maybe "One" by Metallica? from Wikipedia The song's theme is based on Dalton Trumbo's 1939 novel Johnny Got His Gun. It is based on the story of a soldier whose body was severely damaged after he was hit by a German artillery shell during World War I. His arms, legs, eyes, mouth, nose and ears were gone and he could not see, speak, smell, or hear; but his mind functions perfectly, leaving him a prisoner in his own body Can't You Tube at work, or I'd add the link for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 One Metallica also their new song "The Day That Never Comes" - Metallica Zombie - Cranberries When I'm Gone - 3 Doors Down Although the lyrics don't have anything to do with the army or war, the music video was dedicated to all the men and women serving in the United States military. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTyme Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Does anyone know of any metal songs about this? This one was the first that popped in my mind . . . Raise Your Flag ~ Dephkamp (Live 2002) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicalcure Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) funny coincidence! Just noticed this thread and before I could look for music....next in my random itunes shuffle was, Handsome Johnny, sung by Richie Havens at Woodstock, first time I've had a chance to listen to my new track. Excellent song Two songs that get me every time are Wooden Ships - Crosby stills Nash & Young, and James Blunt- No Bravery. He wrote that amazing song just after getting back from Kosovo. Well, maybe it's more about war than soldiers. Also: On Up The Mountain - Jakob Dylan War Is Kind - Jakob Dylan Time To Go Home - Michael Franti & Spearhead (about Iraq) Everybody's Gone To War - Nerina Pallot Universal Soldier - Donovan Spoon River - Sung by Steve Goodman written by Mike Smith -a traditional style folk song about the Civil War Rages of Babylon - Joseph Arthur "Do you notice, when we are gone through the rages of babylon to protect the land of the free Will my family remember me?" oh wait, this is metal, I think, although it's hard to say if the "warriors" are real or fantasy,lol. It is very inspiring though. Warriors - Freedom call Edited March 20, 2009 by Guest more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chutzpah Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 I have to put in"Superman" by Ben folds five?... whoever it was...deep song...deep meaning.. And "I support my troops" all of em... from anywhere...thank you...me and my family say " good job" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_M Posted March 28, 2009 Report Share Posted March 28, 2009 "Soldier's Last Letter" - Ernest Tubb - 1944 (#1 on Billboard's Country Chart) Merle Haggard also did a version of this song in 1971 (#3 on Billboard's Country Chart) "Soldier's Last Letter" When the postman delivered a letter It filled her dear heart full of joy But she didn't know till she read the inside It was the last one from her darling boy. Dear Mom, was the way that it started I miss you so much, it went on Mom, I didn't know, that I loved you so But I'll prove it when this war is won. I'm writing this down in a trench, Mom Don't scold if it isn't so neat You know as you did, when I was a kid And I'd come home with mud on my feet. The captain just gave us our orders And Mom, we will carry them through. I'll finish this letter the first chance I get But now I'll just say I love you. Then the mother's old hands began to tremble And she fought against tears in her eyes But they came unashamed for there was no name And she knew that her darling had died. That night as she knelt by her bedside She prayed Lord above hear my plea And protect all the sons that are fighting tonight And dear God keep America free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted March 29, 2009 Report Share Posted March 29, 2009 If You're Reading This ~ Tim McGraw If you’re reading this And My mama's sitting there Looks like I only got a one-way ticket over here I sure wish I could give you one more kiss And war was just a game we played when we were kids Well I’m laying down my gun I’m hanging up my boots I’m up here with God And we’re BOTH watching over you So lay me down In that open field out on the edge of town And know my soul Is where my momma always prayed that it would go And if you’re reading this I’m already home If you’re reading this Half way around the world I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl I hope she looks like you I hope she fights like me Stands up for the innocent and the weak I’m laying down my gun I’m hanging up my boots Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoes So lay me down In that open field out on the edge of town And know my soul Is where my momma always prayed that it would go And if you’re reading this I’m already home If you’re reading this There’s gonna come a day When you move on and find someone else And that’s okay Just remember this I’m in a better place Where soldiers live in peace And angels sing Amazing Grace So lay me down In that open field out on the edge of town And know my soul Is where my momma always prayed that it would go And if you’re reading this If you’re reading this I’m already home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Cowboy Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Rooster and Billy don't be a hero are both legit. Lee Greenwood - Proud to be an American Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Thanks for all your work at coming up with suggestions! But I need more. The angle of this story has taken a bit of a spin... and your help is once again in great demand - and will be very much appreciated. I have a couple of new questions... 1. Do any of you know any soldiers who have fallen during any conflict? (maybe in your family ancestry, or friends or family) And if so, do you know what music/songs were played at their funeral, and why that specific song or piece of music was chosen? 2. Can anyone tell me about the history of bagpipes and soldier's funerals? I've googled until I'm blue, and the only site I could find that might have given me an answer was deemed "unsafe" by my computer security software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Shawna, this might help. Why bagpipes at a funeral? Part of the answer might be that they are very mournful sounding. But the only historical answer I could find relates to when the Irish first came to America. When they came they faced huge discrimination, signs reading NINA (No Irish Need Apply) were posted and it was very difficult for them to get jobs. They were forced to take the jobs that no one else wanted, jobs that were considered dirty and dangerous like police officers and firefighters. These dangerous jobs often resulted in deaths so at their funerals the Irish used their traditions, which included playing the bagpipes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 (edited) Shawna, phil's apparently got the answer ... according to about.com. I googled as well, and found several sites. Try using "Celtic funeral traditions" as your search criteria. Here are the complete details from about.com Also regarding songs ... Amazing Grace is very often played/sung with bagpipe accompaniment at funerals. At least that is the most common that I have heard. Edited April 17, 2009 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lea Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Sam Stone by John Prine is the only one I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet and I'm not sure how appropriate it would be. One of my favorite songs tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 "appropriate" doesn't really enter in, here. If it was a song that was played at a funeral for a loved one who died in service to their country, then the song is APPROPRIATE, because that person, or their family, loved it enough to honor them by playing it. Who do you know, Lea, who had that song played at their funeral? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lea Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Years ago DH and I picked up a hitcher from Astoria who sang us that song. He did an excellent job on it. He said he sang it at his brothers funeral. I had heard the song years before and had forgotten the name of it. He told me what it was and I haven't forgotten it since Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_M Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 I dug up a few more sites and a country song list for you. U.S. Dept. Of Veterans Affairs - Memorial Day USA.gov - Memorial Day and Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day Tribute Also, check out Luke Stricklin and Keni Thomas. Both of these artists are military veterans who sing about their experiences. Maybe you can schedule an interview with one of them. Luke Stricklin Keni Thomas Memorial Day Honors Songs: 8th of November - Big & Rich 50,000 Names - George Jones A Soldier's Prayer - Collin Raye American By God's Amazing Grace - Luke Stricklin American Soldier - Toby Keith Arlington - Trace Adkins Ballad Of The Green Beret - Dolly Parton Bullets - Lisa Carver Coming Home - John Tigert God Bless The Soldier - Rhonda Vincent God, Family and Country - Craig Morgan He's Coming Home - Cowboy Crush Hero At Home - April Taylor Home Free - Mason Douglas Homeless Man - Blue Highway I Just Came Back From A War - Darryl Worley I Write A Little - Alabama I'm Gonna Miss You - Dolly Parton If I Don't Make It Back - Tracy Lawrence Josephine - Colin Raye Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery More Than A Name On A Wall - The Statler Brothers My Side Of The World - Tammy Cochran Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash Red, White & Blue Night In Georgia - Megan Conner Remembering - The Grascals Riding With Private Malone - David Ball Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus Thank You Vets - Paulette Carlson The Bumper Of My S.U.V. - Chely Wright The Other Little Soldier - Josh Gracin They Also Serve - John Conlee Till They Come Home - Rhonda Vincent Two Soldiers - Blue Highway Volunteers - Mark Erelli Watching Over The Soldiers At Christmas - 3 Fox Drive with Charlie Daniels Welcome Home - Dolly Parton Wrote That In Blue - DeAnne Moore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted May 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 the Soundtracks of the Soldiers The final cut of this article is nothing - in any way - like what I set out to write several weeks ago. I was forging ahead with an article on Memorial Day songs... what sorts of songs do people play at their barbecues... it morphed into what is a REAL Memorial Day song? (what sorts of songs make you think of someone?) From there, I started to write about what sorts of songs do people play at their loved ones' funerals (because those would be the songs that person would be remembered by)... Then came the day, pretty late into it, really, when I had the opportunity to talk to a soldier. Not just any soldier, but a member of the Green Berets. He was remarkably humble, saying they don't do what they do for glory, and prefer to stay out of the press... and then he shared with me some personal stories about the group of men he holds very near and dear to his heart; the men he calls his brothers. They are fellow Special Ops soldiers. And too many of them did not make it back from Afghanistan. The part that changed the whole landscape of this article, however, was when he told me about his "war play list." The songs that soldiers use to psyche them up when they're about to go into battle. The idea was too intriguing to let go of... So I hope you enjoy the results. And this Memorial Day I hope you all send up a positive thought for those still fighting, and a remembrance to those who made it home.... and those who never did. This article will be up only until Memorial Day, so hopefully you'll have a chance before then to have a peek. Thank you all for all the help you gave me with the original... you are invaluable when it comes to this stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 Great story, Shawna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna Posted May 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 thanks Jenny! Glad you liked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 You did an absolutely wonderful job Shawna. Good work, great story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Laurie_ Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 Excellent Shawna! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now