Michael Reynolds
LEST WE FORGET
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.
Click the above button to listen to a sample of the song as sung by Felicity Urquhart. The File is a 1.19 Mb MP3 and plays for 1:18 minutesVerse 1:
Although you’re getting on in years
And memories seem to disappear
Some things will never fade away
Some memories will stay
There’s one day in each year you will not forget
If this year’s your last year – we will not forget
Chorus:
One more parade – one less digger by your side
One year you’re marching – the next you ride
Hold your head up high – hold your head up high
Lest we forget – lest we forget
Verse 2:
It seems a long, long time ago
A young man far away from home
Friends made and lost along the way
Some memories will stay
Those who died – those who live, you will not forget
If this year’s your last year – we will not forget
Chorus
One more parade – one less digger by your side
One year you’re marching – the next you ride
Hold your head up high – hold your head up high
Lest we forget – lest we forget
Bridge
The sound of cannon roaring by
The smoke and fire covered sky
The nights of terror as you pray
Some memories will always stay
At the closing of the day – a grateful nation will rise to pray
Some things will never fade away – some memories will stay
Not for one day but always – we will not forget
Your memory for ever – we will not forget
Chorus
One more parade – one less digger by your side
One year you’re marching – the next you ride
Hold your head up high – hold your head up high
Lest we forget – lest we forget
©Copyright 2004 by Michael Reynolds
Murgon (Queensland, Australia) based state school music teacher Michael Reynolds and A.B.C. sing book chairperson Rhonda Macken have recently produced a CD commemorating Anzac Day – “Lest We Forget” with lyrics by Michael Reynolds and music by Rhonda Macken.
The song has also been published by the A.B.C in the 2004 sing book and CD with a circulation of 80.000 throughout Australia and the Pacific Rim. The sing book series has had a major impact on primary school music culture for many years in Australia – providing songs, activities and games – enriching music education and the enjoyment of music nation wide for young people.
“Lest We Forget” was be broadcast on Tasmanian WIN TV for the 2004 Anzac Day parade and radio A.B.C. Darwin produced a programme just based on the song with interviews from Cloyna State School students. Teacher Paula Nunan and Principal Anthony Meikle have been working with students on a project about Anzac Day and in particular the meaning of the lyrics. Students have researched, through the internet, the meaning of Anzac Day and have produced a very touching computer based presentation involving Gallipoli photographs and other documentation.
Students from Murgon and a number of schools in the district sang “Lest We Forget” on the 2004 Anzac Day Parade in Murgon
This year (2004), the song has received air play on various public and commercial radio and television stations including: Channel 9 Television in Hobart and Brisbane, Channel 9 Sydney’s “Sunday” program, Channel 9 Brisbane’s 6pm News, ABC Television in Darwin and Sydney’s Alan Jones Breakfast Show on Radio 2UE.
Author’s Note: I was born in England in 1954.
My grandfather served in the infantry during WW1, He was captured by German soldiers and spent years in a POW camp. His family thought he had been killed in action. At the end of the war, “There was a knock on the door”, as it was described to me, “and there he was. Wouldn’t talk about what happened. Started life again – what memories did he have?” He married my grandmother and in 1920 my Aunt was born and two years later, my father.
When WW2 broke out, my father and 30 of his friends were called up and spent over 6 years in service. He was a “Desert Rat” and later served in the Italian Campaigns. After the end of hostilities he spent time in Germany.
When he got back to England, only 3 out of the 30 had returned.
He spent 18 months walking around town, refusing to talk and unable to do anything. I tried to find out what had happened during the war years – he wouldn’t talk or would lightly touch on the places he had been. These memories are closely held – we cannot pierce them or even imagine what they are!
For both my grandfather and my father, the wars had a devastating effect on their lives and consequently on the live of their families.
In 2001 I saw the ABC coverage of the ANZAC Day march. I saw ex-service men and women march with pride and a lively step. I also saw the very few last Diggers in open cars and in wheelchairs taking part. I was overcome with the fact that older people seemed to get a low profile in our western community. I saw my grandfather and father in those chairs – what do we know about what they have gone through?
The words I have written are to remind people of the great sacrifice our parents, grandparents and great grandparents made – and not only the males. I have only been able to guess at what they have gone through.
Please take a moment to think about it.
Michael Reynolds
March 30, 2004