Everyone must know at least one good war song or soldier song - we all know Amhrán na bhFiann off by heart of course but there must be lots more.
Here's an easy one to start with, not having too much graphic detail - the last thoughts and feelings of a soldier dying in a ditch - take it away David ... lyrics
(pardon the lack of a video but this one had good sound - someone really needs to do a decent video edit for this - bombs exploding, limbs disintegrating, planes terrorising, tracer bullets lighting up the night skym death, death, death)
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:10 am
Barry McGuire: The Eve of Destruction. Look it up on Youtube. A great anti-war song . Another great anthem of peace is "Show them to Me" Rodney Carrington.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:14 pm
A song made famous by the Pogues, written by Eric Bogle. Eric Bogle also wrote the Green Fields of France "No Mans Land".
And just because you don't often get a chance to mention Siegfried Sassoon and Shane McGowan in the same breath very often here's a war poem...
Suicide in the Trenches I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy, Slept soundly through the lonesome dark, And whistled early with the lark. In winter trenches, cowed and glum With crumps and lice and lack of rum, He put a bullet through his brain. No one spoke of him again. You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you'll never know The hell where youth and laughter go.
S.S.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:00 pm
May I enquire as to the relevance of the Fr. Alex Reid pic?
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:08 pm
coc wrote:
May I enquire as to the relevance of the Fr. Alex Reid pic?
I wanted an image suitable for the song so I think in google images I entered "soldier dying in ditch" and that was the first one.
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:31 am
I have a first cousin called Arthur McBride He and I we went strolling down by the seaside A-seeking good fortune and what might betide Twas just as the day was dawning
And after resting we both took a tramp We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp With his Row-de-dow-dow in the morning.
He said, my fine fellows if you will enlist A guinea a head I will get in your fist Besides a crown piece to kick up the dust And drink the King's health in the morning
For a soldier he has a very fine life And is always is blessed with a charming young wife He pays all his debts without sorrow or strife And always lives happy and charming
Ah now my bold Sergeant we are not for sale We'll not take your money, your bribe won't avail We're not tired of our country, we won't set for sail Although your offer is charming
For if we were such fools for to take the advance It's right bloody slender would be our poor chance For the King would not scruple but send us to France Where we would be shot without warning
Ah now my young fellows if I hear but one word I instantly now will launch out my sword And into your bodies as strength will afford So now my gay devils take warning
But Arthur and I we took the odds, We gave them no chance to launch out their swords Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads And paid them right smart in the morning
As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch and made a football of his row-de-dow-dow and into the ocean to rock and to roll and bade him a tedious returning
And as for the young rapier that hung by his side We flung it as far as we could in the tide "To the devil lie with you" says Arthur McBride To temper your steel in the morning.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: War Songs ... Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:27 pm
Portal 
