A song for Memorial Day
I’ve posted this song before, but I think it bears repeating, especially on Memorial Day.
It’s Tim McGraw’s extraordinarily moving song “If You’re Reading This:”
If you’re readin’ this
My momma’s sittin’ there
Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
War was just a game we played when we were kids
Well I’m layin’ down my gun
I’m hanging up my boots
I’m up here with God and we’re both watchin’ over youSo 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.
If you’re readin’ this I’m already home.If you’re readin’ 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
And stands up for the innocent and the weak
I’m layin’ down my gun,
I’m hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoesSo 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
If you’re readin’ this, I’m already hoooommmmmeeeeIf you’re readin’ this,
There’s gonna come a day
You move on and find someone else and that’s okay
Just remember this
I’m in a better place
Soldiers live in peace and angels sing amazing graceSo 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
If you’re readin’ this
If you’re readin’ this
I’m already home
Today is a day for honoring all those who gave their lives in defense of our country and the freedom we love.
Here is a list the names of my uncle, a WWII bombardier/navigator, and my Navy friends and squadronmates who died in Vietnam. They hold a special place in my heart and are remembered this day:
LCDR Gerry Roberts
LCDR Hal Gray
LTjg M.D. McMican
LTjg Jerry Romano
ATN-2 Tom Plants
ATR-3 Bill Amspacher
LCDR Bill Carey
1st Lt. Larry Goreski
As long as we remember them they still live as the young, courageous, good men we knew. Freedom isn’t free. No finer way to honor their memory than to continue to nourish and defend the freedom for which they died.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I’ve heard it said that country music is maudlin. Well, hell. Life is maudlin, if you’re paying attention.
Richard Aubrey:
I’m not the least bit interested in ironic post-modern detachment. Country music isn’t my favorite genre, but I like lots of country music nevertheless, and I’m especially impressed with some of the lyrics.
This song is one of the finest in that regard. It rips your heart out and absolutely forces tears from your eyes, but I don’t think it’s maudlin, which has connotations of cheap and fake and foolish and/or self-pitying sentimentality. This song’s lyrics are emotional and very accessible, yes, but the power of the lyrics lies in the lack of self-pity in the speaker/singer and his relative stoicism.
Not that you meant the word in that sense. But I just wanted to clarify.
Neo. You’ll note I said, “I’ve heard it said….” Doesn’t mean I think it. This song, like a number of others having to do with war and death,
“All gave some….
“American soldier
“Letters from home’
and others could be and, if I were interested in looking around, probably have been called “maudlin”.
It’s also been said that country music’s themes are:
Play hard.
Don’t mess around on your significant other.
Take care of your friends.
Work hard.
Never back down.
Get right with The Man.
Children and old folks rule.
Show up for the war.
Not much for the hip, self-detaching ironic folks there, no?
In compiling our family tree, I found that my husband’s great uncle Naino, a first generation American born of two Finnish immigrant parents, died a prisoner of war in a Philippines concentration camp during WWII.
That’s the kind of person–and family–to whom America owes an unpayable debt of gratitude. A young couple who came to the United States in the steerage of a ship, speaking no English, bringing with them little more than their hopes. They worked hard, and raised their children to be Americans, to the point where when war came about, their boys enlisted in the military, fought, and in Naino’s case died for their country.
The least we can do is remember.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zNJH2eQQac
Another good one written and performed by a former special ops guy now singer/songwriter.
http://www.military.com/video/operations-and-strategy/afghanistan-conflict/keni-thomas-circle-on-the-cross/1137664156001/
Cleaner recording from his appearance on the Louis CK show.