This poem was used not only to mourn WW-1 dead, but in its time also as a recruiting tool in that “War to end all wars” - a line omitted above is “Take up our quarrels with our foes.” America’s Decoration Day, which became Memorial Day, should be remembered most deeply in 2009 for those who died in our Civil War so that ALL Americans have the same rights under our Constitution.
If you like “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Dr. Jon McCrea you should enjoy Herman Melville’s “On Malvern Hill”. Malvern Hill was a battlefield during the American Civil War. I think McCrea must have read and been inspired by Melville’s poem. Both inspire deep feelings about the sacrifices our military makes every day. Thank you all for remembering.
—
Malvern Hill
Ye elms that wave on Malvern Hill
In prime of morn and May,
Recall ye how McClellan’s men
Here stood at bay?
While deep within yon forest dim
Our rigid comrades lay–
Some with the cartridge in their mouth,
Others with fixed arms lifted South–
Invoking so
The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!
The spires of Richmond, late beheld
Through rifts in musket-haze,
Were closed from view in clouds of dust
On leaf-walled ways,
Where streamed our wagons in caravan;
And the Seven Nights and Days
Of march and fast, retreat and fight,
Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight–
Does the elm wood
Recall the haggard beards of blood?
The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed,
We followed (it never fell!)–
In silence husbanded our strength–
Received their yell;
Till on this slope we patient turned
With cannon ordered well;
Reverse we proved was not defeat;
But ah, the sod what thousands meet!–
Does Malvern Wood
Bethink itself, and muse and brood?
We elms of Malvern Hill
Remember every thing;
But sap the twig will fill:
Wag the world how it will,
Leaves must be green in Spring.
I don’t know why it messed up the final stanza.
–
We elms of Malvern Hill
Remember every thing;
But sap the twig will fill:
Wag the world how it will,
Leaves must be green in Spring.
The true enemy is unlimited government imposed on the unwilling by force. Honor those who died in defense of the right purposes: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
To those who have died, those who have fought, and those who fight on… And for the day when we can “beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks”…
debra4life50 over 15 years ago
Thank you, Pab
Joe_Minotaur over 15 years ago
One of my favorite poems.
margueritem over 15 years ago
Beautiful, thanks Pab.
Edcole1961 over 15 years ago
Reminds me of the ending of the fourth “Blackadder” series.
grencm over 15 years ago
Thank you for remembering.
LibrarianInTraining over 15 years ago
Amen.
kfaatz925 over 15 years ago
Beautiful strip today; thanks, Pab.
CaptainColorado over 15 years ago
Well said, Pab.
LadyThornewood over 15 years ago
too bad the picture wasn’t in color. The red poppies would have been a very nice touch…. Beautiful
GoodQuestion Premium Member over 15 years ago
Semper fidelis Pab.
Digital Frog over 15 years ago
Dignity & Class.
mivins over 15 years ago
Pab, you are a gentleperson and a scholar.
Don Hulbert Premium Member over 15 years ago
Perfect. Absolutely pitch perfect, Pab. Thank you.
fogey over 15 years ago
This poem was used not only to mourn WW-1 dead, but in its time also as a recruiting tool in that “War to end all wars” - a line omitted above is “Take up our quarrels with our foes.” America’s Decoration Day, which became Memorial Day, should be remembered most deeply in 2009 for those who died in our Civil War so that ALL Americans have the same rights under our Constitution.
Durak Premium Member over 15 years ago
If you like “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Dr. Jon McCrea you should enjoy Herman Melville’s “On Malvern Hill”. Malvern Hill was a battlefield during the American Civil War. I think McCrea must have read and been inspired by Melville’s poem. Both inspire deep feelings about the sacrifices our military makes every day. Thank you all for remembering. — Malvern Hill
Ye elms that wave on Malvern Hill In prime of morn and May, Recall ye how McClellan’s men Here stood at bay? While deep within yon forest dim Our rigid comrades lay– Some with the cartridge in their mouth, Others with fixed arms lifted South– Invoking so The cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!
The spires of Richmond, late beheld Through rifts in musket-haze, Were closed from view in clouds of dust On leaf-walled ways, Where streamed our wagons in caravan; And the Seven Nights and Days Of march and fast, retreat and fight, Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight–
Does the elm wood
Recall the haggard beards of blood?
The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed, We followed (it never fell!)– In silence husbanded our strength– Received their yell; Till on this slope we patient turned With cannon ordered well; Reverse we proved was not defeat; But ah, the sod what thousands meet!– Does Malvern Wood Bethink itself, and muse and brood?
We elms of Malvern Hill Remember every thing; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring.— Herman Melville
Durak Premium Member over 15 years ago
I don’t know why it messed up the final stanza. – We elms of Malvern Hill Remember every thing; But sap the twig will fill: Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring.
margueritem over 15 years ago
Thanks, DYPAK, I’ve never seen that poem.
Jml58 over 15 years ago
Our dead are not gone until we have forgotten them.
Mary McNeil Premium Member over 15 years ago
I really enjoyed yesterday’s strip, but this one is wonderful. Thank you, too, Dypak, for the Melville poem!
pschearer Premium Member over 15 years ago
The true enemy is unlimited government imposed on the unwilling by force. Honor those who died in defense of the right purposes: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Pab Sungenis creator over 15 years ago
fogey: I included the “take up our arguments” verse.
3hourtour Premium Member over 15 years ago
…let us not just remember those whom died for our country but also those who had to continue living with their wounds after they came home…
Goggy98 Premium Member over 15 years ago
3hourtour: So right you are!
meshugunah over 15 years ago
To those who have died, those who have fought, and those who fight on… And for the day when we can “beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks”…
Thanks, Pab.
LibrarianInTraining over 15 years ago
meshugunah, there is nothing meshuganah about you! Way to quote the Scriptures!
ChiehHsia over 15 years ago
Well, that’s one set of scriptures. During the present cycle, we seem to be paying more attention to what Krsna said to Arjuna on the eve of battle.
highpower223 over 15 years ago
Great Memorial Day cartoon
Ravynne over 15 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-LkTsol220
“The Green Fields of France” as sung by John McDermott.
Hail and well-met, hail and farewell to soldiers past and present…and thank you all.