Great song from Eric. In the 1905 census, the Scots were recorded as the tallest people in Europe. In the census after the first world war they had become the shortest. The Scots make up around 10% of the Uk population, but made up around 24% of British casulaties :(
I love this song and I perform it also. It has been a quandary trying to find a way to ultimately honor the incredible courage and sacrifice of the soldier.by finding a way to stop killing off our brightest, bravest and best in the interest of state and religion.
I too am proud to have the blood of Scots in my veins, even tho it was a few hundred yrs. ago they came to this wild country. There is no doubt this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and if the words do not touch the listeners heart, then that heart is made of stone. The Scots are a magnificent people and this song, a powerful manifestation of the Scot spirit, sung by an incomparable Scot.
I really needed this. Just got through viewing a video of a song called "I Saw Jesus Waving the Stars and Stripes" or some such title....and this fine thought provoking song about the reality of war is a perfect antedote to silly tripe.
Good to hear the writer's version of this very moving song. If only human lives were worth more to the people with the power to decide who should live and who shouldn't. Having said that, all of us have the practical ability to kill others, so all of us have that power.
Good to hear the writer's version of this very moving song. If only human lives were worth more to the people with the power to decide who should live and who shouldn't. Having said that, all of us have the practical ability to kill others, so all of us have that power.
Beautiful...even though I prefer CELTIC THUNDER's rendition. I do wish that group had included the "sun's shining now" verse. That's a perfect lead-in to the last, most meaningful verse, isn't it?
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imonaboatman-perfidious Albion died a long time ago. Your comment is ludicrous (buy a dictionary and look it up). Now you're overrun by wogs-your crappy little island has been consigned to the dustbin of history.
A great tribute to all the soldiers that died. I am Canadian and my great-uncle fell in WWI in 1916. Our Canadian identity as a nation was, sadly, established as our Canadian soldiers triumphed at The Somme, Yres, and especially Vimy Ridge. A large price to pay, but their sacrifice has made the world better. Now our men and women are in Afghanistan to carry on that tradition of bringing the world to peace.
I find that offensive. Saying that it's a "tradition" to bring peace to the world. They're not over there to carry on a tradition, even though it may seem like that to some of you short-sighted people, but they're over there, giving their lives for something they believe in. Not to participate in any kind of "tradition". You really think war is a tradition? Like thanksgiving and christmas? Then there's something seriously wrong with you.
Perhaps "tradition" was a poor choice. I am Canadian, and we are losing people - men and women - "over there". Why? I do not know that answer. But whether you believe we should be there or not, there should be a respect, and honour for those who have gone at the command of their governments. So don't dis my support or sympathies. I am ex-military, and have a sense of what these people are dealing with. Spare your narrow-minded diatribe. It's about people we respect - moms, dads, soldiers!
Oh... give me a break! Try going to Somalia, or the Congo, or Bosnia, or... let me name the places. Genocide, murder, raping, executing innocent people - sometimes whole ethnic groups. That's OK I guess, because they''re black, or female, or the wrong tribe, or the wrong religion.
Get a view of the world, and of your own culture of oppression,and when you have studied it, get back to me. !! I have been there, and it ain't pretty!!
I saw Ericc Bogle & John Munro last night at The Rock @ Maltby on their farewell tour 7 they were on excellent form singing to a packed house even though the weather outside was atrocious, Best Wishes to you both for the future
I love this song, it just tells a story, which could be sung from the point of view from any country. about the wast of life war always causes, The leaders from most if not all countrys will lie, and they will do it again, where young life where sent into war at cannon fodder. Im from the UK and am proud to be English, I also love the USA and im glad our countrys are friends, there are far too many countrys that will always blame the pass, insted of looking forward.
I agree with you...I love this song and it could be about any men from any country, who have fought useless wars. I'm from the USA and proud of it, while realizing we're not perfect...we don't deserve all the blame for everything that happens all over the world. Americans are generous people and do try to help in any diaster.
Americans are everyman, for we come from everywhere in the world.
We also hate war, and this song is a wonderful deterrent, or should be. It 's beautiful.
@thacobra77 Thanks...was so long ago, had forgotten what I said. This song is so very sad...and says it all, about war, death and the futility of it all. Eric Bogle's singing is just heartbreaking, and no one does this wonderful song, better, in my opinion.
Like me, Eric is Scottish, not Australian. He emigrated when he was "old". I lived in the USA for 12 years, and agree that the Americans are generous, but like the British Army in the first world war, you are Lions led by Donkeys.
@HelenSSpencer77 From a 'Scot', I fully agree. People, are people, are people. But flags and intolerance and ultimately greed are what's wrong. Cheers - from a citizen of this world (more to me than being Scottish).
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imonaboatman-the sun set on perfidious Albion a long time ago. The cream of your countrymen perished in WWII. Now you're overrun by wogs and will soon all be speaking Arabic. In the meantime, try and find a decent dentist in your miserable country and get your teeth fixed.
No need to feel humble...I think you must be very smart, inasmuch as you are willing to ask and learn some additional facts. That's what any intelligent person would/should do. I commend you. A lot should have been learned about that murderous WW1 and all the wars that followed, but it seems nothing at all was learned. We can only listen to the haunting music telling the sad stories of man's inhumanity to his fellow man. Then we wait for the next WW to begin, all over again...more songs
Correct...this is a beautiful song. Saddens every heart to know how many young men's lives were wasted for absolutely nothing. This song says more than any speech ever given, by any politician. There will be tears.
I'll be seeing Eric Bogle play again in about 6 weeks time. last time i seen him, he left "And the band played waltzing matilda" till last. I've never seen an audience in complete and utter silence before that performance. He can't be bettered.
One of the greatest anti-war songs ever written. Few wars are necessary or accomplish anything other than massive death and injury to those with the least to gain from them.
The most moving version of this song is done by a total amateur, a girl of only 17, Holly Kirby. Please listen, search youtube for "holly kirby willie mcbride", she'll break your heart. She made the video too. I just wish she had left a couple of lines out of the accompanying text that bely the message of the song.
I disagree with you about war war is nesscary and cannot be eliminated the good ol USA wouldnt be here if it wasn't for Revolutionary and Civil wars and every1 would be speaking German if the USA hadnt intervened in WW2 when we did
You might want to look up D-Day. I think you will find there were more than just a FEW Yanks who died on those beaches, fighting the last ditch German soldiers who knew their cause was lost.
I'm pretty sure there were some American's there. OH YEAH...there were tens of thousands and not all returned home. Shame on you. This isn't to downplay the Brits at all.
They lost more than their share of lives also.
The Russians also suffered terribly from Nazi' atrocities.
I'm not saying that America didn't contribute, but Consider this... The US lost some 400,000 soldiers. The Soviet Union lost... wait for it... 10,000,000 soldiers. While the US likes to act like it singlehandedly won WWII, the truth is that Russia and Britain's contributions to the European theatre were of far more importance.
Now the Pacific, on the other hand, we had a much larger role in.
Definitely missed out on something...Yanks during 1917-1918 sustained BATTLE Casualties totaling 286,330. Almost 50,000 on battlefield, more than 230,330 total wounded. As for Russians...lost more than any other country, 1,700,000 dead. Total deaths for all countries exceeded 7,450,000. And guess what...it didn't end wars, did it? These figures are from "WW1 The Medical Front" Gov't. Printing Office, 1919
Please stop pretending you actually know anything about history, all your comment are typical pro-american retard.
Cant wait till you crumble into a civil war & beg the british to help oh wait we already are? Whats that? Training your entire army on riot control :ooo
You're 100% correct. "We didn't start the fire"...just jumped in to help and reinforce the French and Brits...brother's in arms.
Aussies are great fighters...always want them on our side. The help of the USA was requested, by the govt's of France and England. We should have skipped this one, and waited for the BIG ONE-20 yrs later. Same countries, same reason for our being there to - help, when asked.
WW11 WAS the war to which I was referring when I said "We should have skipped it" since the USA had not been attacked by Germany. It was Britain, France, Germany, Russia, etc. that was in danger of being Germanicized, if you will.
Yanks responded because they were asked by the govt. of those aforementioned countries, the citizens of which were being slaughtered. The USA didn't jump in because they had an extra 1/2 million young men who needed to be cannon fodder in Europe.
But as far as I know it was not only the pleading of Nations like Brittain and France, but also the Attack on Pearl Harbor beeing responsible for the US joining the war, ain't that right?
Um, I think you'll find that Germany declared war on you, not the other way around..
Following the US declaration of war on Japan post Pearl Harbour, Germany and Italy declared war on the US.
At this stage, Hitler had already called off the attack on Moscow, and Rommel was withdraweing across Africa waiting for supplies that were never going to come.. Don't kid youself that they would have won anyway..
I served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, which--obviously--have not been anywhere nearly as costly as previous wars. That said, I can tell you that catoutofhell is correct: "there are no victorious dead, just the dead." Glory is an illusion, folks. War, although occasionally necessary, is never glorious. That mentality is for armchair generals who have never been shot at.
GREAT song and version,has to be really by the man who wrote it!This is the first time I,ve heard Eric sing this and I sing it on here myself!I,ll know how it should be sung now but check out mine,not a bad effort I think.Thank you Eric for writing an amazing song.
This song should be played to every schoolchild to let them feel the Emotion and and hurt that war brings..it would also let them feel that their great grandparents were no less than a breed of heroes....we have little to gripe about these days in comparison to those that gave all during that awful War to end all Wars...Alas of course it never did end wars..
With all due & sincere respect for those involved in your family,there's a controversial point I'd like to clarify:it looks like going to "the horrors of war" was justified by the need to answer one's country's call "to settle the score".And in the end, the "boy who helped win it returned home a man".Now,there's three remarkable points:1)the war means "horrors"-2)War is needed to settle the score.-3)If you make it back home,you come back a full grown-up man.
Of course, but if you know of a way to keep people happy and stop oppression and discontent within countries, not to mentiom Dictatorship and megolamania and hunger for power, then U will have the answer to stopping wars !
I do agree with all.The way,to me,is to change our mentality and let children be growing with the principle that war is the worst of means to settle any problem as it actually multiplies them!Also,the long list of dicators must be dealt with not just by waging war to their countries,but selectively aiming at ridding each one of them,and not,as with Hitler,making money with him till the day before war was declared.He and his gang could be swept off in 1933 sparing lives by the millions!
Never listen to any other recorded version of this classic anti-war song. And note the name of the song "No man's land".... NOT Willy McBride or The Green Fields of France!!
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This is Eric Bogle singing with Wacholder, a German singer. It is my favorite version of this song. Notice the bell in the last part. It adds a quality that I like.
you, my friend, are talking through your arse. this is his bacing band that he tours with. a glasow man, now residng in oz. hen i say glasgow i do men scottish,
i have loved this song for SOOOOO long ..... the only one i have heard is the frueys version .. and i have always thought that to be haunting but eric ohhh eric .... this is SOO fantastic AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
My great-aunt Georgina in England died in the mid 1980s at close to 90. She never married, and though she never said anything to me they told me later that she had had a sweetheart who was killed in France in World War I. I suppose she was one of the many faithful hearts that held someone's memory.
This shows the grave of Private William McBride from Ayr, Scotland serving in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Died 28/09/1918, aged 33. GRAND RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, HAVRINCOURT
Actually it's William McBride, age 21 of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and he was killed on April 22, 1916. I'm not sure which battalion this Willie McBride was in when he was killed, but on this date some were in France and some in Gallipoli. Read the inscription.
eric bogel wrote the song about 19 year old private william mcbride of the 36th ulster division royal inniskilling fusiliers. when he was visiting the site of the somme.eric bogel looked at over 10 william mcbrides graves. but the 19 year old stuck in his head. but the song is symbolic kind of 4 everybody that died in ww1
One of the best songs to come out of Scotland. Eric Bogle, born in Peebles, Scotland wrote this as an anti war poem. Gets a lot of lip service even from war mongering leaders like Tony Blair.
Eric Bogle was born in Scotland and moved to Australia in 1969 at the age of 25. He wrote this song in '76. It could be considered part Scot, part Aussie. He seems to have some affinity for the ANZACs when you consider he also wrote "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", which was about an Aussie soldier leaving for and returning from Gallipoli.
Yer right, Cat. Seen him perform this song a couple of times at the Winnipeg Folk Fest. Great performer! Heard he was trained as an acoountant, but gave it up for music. Our gain, if it's true!
No now we just bomb the hell out of civilians and threaten each other with nuclear weapons...I do agree with your comment about how sad it is though. Until humanity learns to solve its problems with words rather than fists the lack of a major global war is only a temporary reprieve.
Maybe so but no one will actually fire a nuke. Everyone's scared shitless that ther'll be a nuclear hollocaust so they lock the nukes in a basement made of Treaty's. And besides, there would have to actually be something level with WWI of WWII for nukes to actually be authorized. And even then only one or two. People don't just sit there and go, lets nuke this country today, that one tommorow.
This is mad. I only knew this as an Irish folk song by The Fureys until I googled it. I only knew it as The Green Fields of France. The lyrics are different in places on the Fureys version. Still an absolute classic. Glad I have heard the original.
My apologies to JoeBoy6209. I just noticed over on the right that he's had his Bogle version up a year longer than this one (I had said earlier that I couldn't find another Bogle on youtube).
Yep. Wouldn't mistake that voice anywhere. I agree it is Eric Bogle. I have at least one CD with this song on it. Saw him live a couple of years ago at the Winnipeg (Canada) Folk Festival, and he sang this. (The song is also known as The Green Fields of France.)
Interesting. I've actually never heard Eric Bogle singing this before. I've only heard John McCormack's version and the Fureys & Davey Arthur's version. This is really different and is a much slower version with a totally different melody in places. It's still a very nice version and I'm glad I've listened to it, but personally I do prefer the cover versions.
you guys shouldn't talk about whether it's worth listening to or not...in my opinion the only important thing is the message behind it!!!! Such things should never happen again...
although I like eric bogle's version more...great performance!!!
Not that this isn't great and not that the Dropkick Murphys do a good job but I'm sorry, the definitive version of this is by BARLEY BREE from the "No Man's Land" LP from the 80s.
It is a rare moment I ever cry. The first time I heard this, it was two years ago in high school. As I listened to the song play, I had to stare at my desk and shield my eyes from the view of the others... and it's a song like that, one that draws tears from me, that is effective in delivering its message. A beautiful work I will never forget.
I think the video "Remember Them" features Bogle singing "And the Band Played 'Waltzing Matilda'". Also, while I very much like the version of "No Man's Land" which you posted, I believe I've heard another version on one of his albums which seems to me to have had more emotion and a little faster tempo. I think the album was titled "By Request." I could be mistaken.
You're both very welcome. If you haven't noticed, over on the listing there's a post of "And the Band Played" put up by MarcusP52. It sounds suspiciously like Mr. Bogle too. :)
Yep, there's a lot of covers on here and I thought Bogle's version would be nice. Sorry about the static view though. I just don't have the patience to dress it up.
Great song from Eric. In the 1905 census, the Scots were recorded as the tallest people in Europe. In the census after the first world war they had become the shortest. The Scots make up around 10% of the Uk population, but made up around 24% of British casulaties :(
bobknightfolk 1 month ago
if the politicians and media moguls encouraging you to fight a war are not in the first wave - just don't follow - simple
jonnieprince 1 month ago
I love this song and I perform it also. It has been a quandary trying to find a way to ultimately honor the incredible courage and sacrifice of the soldier.by finding a way to stop killing off our brightest, bravest and best in the interest of state and religion.
bradesh 2 months ago
I too am proud to have the blood of Scots in my veins, even tho it was a few hundred yrs. ago they came to this wild country. There is no doubt this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and if the words do not touch the listeners heart, then that heart is made of stone. The Scots are a magnificent people and this song, a powerful manifestation of the Scot spirit, sung by an incomparable Scot.
HelenSSpencer77 3 months ago
Well said HelenSSpencer77, great sentiment.
caslox 9 months ago
I really needed this. Just got through viewing a video of a song called "I Saw Jesus Waving the Stars and Stripes" or some such title....and this fine thought provoking song about the reality of war is a perfect antedote to silly tripe.
BenAliGtor 11 months ago
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Good to hear the writer's version of this very moving song. If only human lives were worth more to the people with the power to decide who should live and who shouldn't. Having said that, all of us have the practical ability to kill others, so all of us have that power.
robsargent4 1 year ago
Good to hear the writer's version of this very moving song. If only human lives were worth more to the people with the power to decide who should live and who shouldn't. Having said that, all of us have the practical ability to kill others, so all of us have that power.
robsargent4 1 year ago
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Abbigaylelatisha 1 year ago
They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old,
age shall not wear them, nor the years condemn
In the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
Lest we forget
chickinchainmail 1 year ago 8
Eric Bogle has done more to show the horrors of war than most .
A great Scotsman and a good Australian/
jazznotes1 1 year ago 4
Best interpreted by ISD !!!
TheOffspringg 1 year ago
the furey's are the original untalented boyband. keltic thunder , boyzone and westlife are poor imitations.
kilomeister 1 year ago
Still the best version of this song ever.
tracy070991 1 year ago
@tracy070991 Original is always the best.
imunchbutts 1 year ago
Beautiful...even though I prefer CELTIC THUNDER's rendition. I do wish that group had included the "sun's shining now" verse. That's a perfect lead-in to the last, most meaningful verse, isn't it?
Lissum 2 years ago
@Lissum Written by Eric Bogle; Celtic Thunder are a poor man's version of every other band.
jimincairns 2 years ago
DKM all the way
TallPaul721 2 years ago
RIP
Idontfearyou 2 years ago
RIP
Baver97 2 years ago
As said on another song and comments.
.RIP Harry Patch..
jenneccles 2 years ago
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imonaboatman-perfidious Albion died a long time ago. Your comment is ludicrous (buy a dictionary and look it up). Now you're overrun by wogs-your crappy little island has been consigned to the dustbin of history.
abrekutu 2 years ago
i think your right
mmm888777 2 years ago
A great tribute to all the soldiers that died. I am Canadian and my great-uncle fell in WWI in 1916. Our Canadian identity as a nation was, sadly, established as our Canadian soldiers triumphed at The Somme, Yres, and especially Vimy Ridge. A large price to pay, but their sacrifice has made the world better. Now our men and women are in Afghanistan to carry on that tradition of bringing the world to peace.
lgcrooks 2 years ago
I find that offensive. Saying that it's a "tradition" to bring peace to the world. They're not over there to carry on a tradition, even though it may seem like that to some of you short-sighted people, but they're over there, giving their lives for something they believe in. Not to participate in any kind of "tradition". You really think war is a tradition? Like thanksgiving and christmas? Then there's something seriously wrong with you.
ManiacWithGrenades 2 years ago
Perhaps "tradition" was a poor choice. I am Canadian, and we are losing people - men and women - "over there". Why? I do not know that answer. But whether you believe we should be there or not, there should be a respect, and honour for those who have gone at the command of their governments. So don't dis my support or sympathies. I am ex-military, and have a sense of what these people are dealing with. Spare your narrow-minded diatribe. It's about people we respect - moms, dads, soldiers!
lgcrooks 2 years ago
respect..lest we forget
mtownycv 1 year ago
Fighting (violently) for Peace is like fucking for Virginity, humankind has to become clear of that!
BVBforever90 2 years ago
Oh... give me a break! Try going to Somalia, or the Congo, or Bosnia, or... let me name the places. Genocide, murder, raping, executing innocent people - sometimes whole ethnic groups. That's OK I guess, because they''re black, or female, or the wrong tribe, or the wrong religion.
Get a view of the world, and of your own culture of oppression,and when you have studied it, get back to me. !! I have been there, and it ain't pretty!!
lgcrooks 2 years ago
I know that terrible stuff like that exists, it's sick. But where is the connection to WWI?
Furthermore I'm sure that there are different ways to avoid things like that, think of Gandhi e.g.
My culture of oppression? I need to have that explained...
BVBforever90 2 years ago
I apologize for the "culture of oppression" thing. Got carried away. I am done with this.
lgcrooks 2 years ago
Alright then.
BVBforever90 2 years ago
beautiful haunting song, and Willie deBacker sings it fantastically as well
jacqfly 2 years ago
I saw Ericc Bogle & John Munro last night at The Rock @ Maltby on their farewell tour 7 they were on excellent form singing to a packed house even though the weather outside was atrocious, Best Wishes to you both for the future
jonhedge 2 years ago 4
I love this song, it just tells a story, which could be sung from the point of view from any country. about the wast of life war always causes, The leaders from most if not all countrys will lie, and they will do it again, where young life where sent into war at cannon fodder. Im from the UK and am proud to be English, I also love the USA and im glad our countrys are friends, there are far too many countrys that will always blame the pass, insted of looking forward.
RIP all fallen
UK
themighty6 2 years ago
I agree with you...I love this song and it could be about any men from any country, who have fought useless wars. I'm from the USA and proud of it, while realizing we're not perfect...we don't deserve all the blame for everything that happens all over the world. Americans are generous people and do try to help in any diaster.
Americans are everyman, for we come from everywhere in the world.
We also hate war, and this song is a wonderful deterrent, or should be. It 's beautiful.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago 12
@HelenSSpencer77 Well said.
thacobra77 1 year ago
@thacobra77 Thanks...was so long ago, had forgotten what I said. This song is so very sad...and says it all, about war, death and the futility of it all. Eric Bogle's singing is just heartbreaking, and no one does this wonderful song, better, in my opinion.
HelenSSpencer77 1 year ago
Like me, Eric is Scottish, not Australian. He emigrated when he was "old". I lived in the USA for 12 years, and agree that the Americans are generous, but like the British Army in the first world war, you are Lions led by Donkeys.
gers2523 1 year ago
@HelenSSpencer77 From a 'Scot', I fully agree. People, are people, are people. But flags and intolerance and ultimately greed are what's wrong. Cheers - from a citizen of this world (more to me than being Scottish).
barrach7 3 months ago
@HelenSSpencer77 americans are fine people i vam Australian and we from all over the place
TheReg54 3 months ago
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imonaboatman-the sun set on perfidious Albion a long time ago. The cream of your countrymen perished in WWII. Now you're overrun by wogs and will soon all be speaking Arabic. In the meantime, try and find a decent dentist in your miserable country and get your teeth fixed.
abrekutu 2 years ago
Thanks for those kind words Helen,
Was there ever a war which wasn't murderous? We've had our own share of them here in Ireland over several centuries!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
Thank you muchly!
I stand humbly corrected and further educated!!
Kyran.(Just a dumb Paddy!)
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
No need to feel humble...I think you must be very smart, inasmuch as you are willing to ask and learn some additional facts. That's what any intelligent person would/should do. I commend you. A lot should have been learned about that murderous WW1 and all the wars that followed, but it seems nothing at all was learned. We can only listen to the haunting music telling the sad stories of man's inhumanity to his fellow man. Then we wait for the next WW to begin, all over again...more songs
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
I love Eric's beautiful Scottish brogue! "The flures o' the forest"!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
Correct...this is a beautiful song. Saddens every heart to know how many young men's lives were wasted for absolutely nothing. This song says more than any speech ever given, by any politician. There will be tears.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
Brilliant !!
It was Eric who wrote this great song.
And his emotions are true.
tubephobia 3 years ago
Today I found this. First I only knew the german version by Hannes Wader. both very very good!
knulfine 3 years ago
I'll be seeing Eric Bogle play again in about 6 weeks time. last time i seen him, he left "And the band played waltzing matilda" till last. I've never seen an audience in complete and utter silence before that performance. He can't be bettered.
awp1958 3 years ago
One of the greatest anti-war songs ever written. Few wars are necessary or accomplish anything other than massive death and injury to those with the least to gain from them.
The most moving version of this song is done by a total amateur, a girl of only 17, Holly Kirby. Please listen, search youtube for "holly kirby willie mcbride", she'll break your heart. She made the video too. I just wish she had left a couple of lines out of the accompanying text that bely the message of the song.
Pheenomenous 3 years ago
Agreed Holly does a beautiful rendition of this lovely song
bobgladstone 3 years ago
I disagree with you about war war is nesscary and cannot be eliminated the good ol USA wouldnt be here if it wasn't for Revolutionary and Civil wars and every1 would be speaking German if the USA hadnt intervened in WW2 when we did
StrikeEagle84015 3 years ago
Britain and Russia won the war against Germany.
TexasBen185 3 years ago
You might want to look up D-Day. I think you will find there were more than just a FEW Yanks who died on those beaches, fighting the last ditch German soldiers who knew their cause was lost.
I'm pretty sure there were some American's there. OH YEAH...there were tens of thousands and not all returned home. Shame on you. This isn't to downplay the Brits at all.
They lost more than their share of lives also.
The Russians also suffered terribly from Nazi' atrocities.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
I'm not saying that America didn't contribute, but Consider this... The US lost some 400,000 soldiers. The Soviet Union lost... wait for it... 10,000,000 soldiers. While the US likes to act like it singlehandedly won WWII, the truth is that Russia and Britain's contributions to the European theatre were of far more importance.
Now the Pacific, on the other hand, we had a much larger role in.
TexasBen185 2 years ago
Helloooooo,
This wonderful song concerns WW1. Private William McBride was either Irish or Scottish. Not American
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
Have I missed out on something here?How many Yanks and Russians were lost in the First World War? Somebody help me out here!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
Definitely missed out on something...Yanks during 1917-1918 sustained BATTLE Casualties totaling 286,330. Almost 50,000 on battlefield, more than 230,330 total wounded. As for Russians...lost more than any other country, 1,700,000 dead. Total deaths for all countries exceeded 7,450,000. And guess what...it didn't end wars, did it? These figures are from "WW1 The Medical Front" Gov't. Printing Office, 1919
Chapt. IX.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
Please stop pretending you actually know anything about history, all your comment are typical pro-american retard.
Cant wait till you crumble into a civil war & beg the british to help oh wait we already are? Whats that? Training your entire army on riot control :ooo
c-c-c-c-c-c-c-cy@~
imonaboatman 2 years ago
I totally agree.
The americans always mention when they've saved us in the past, but forget to mention when we saved them.
REHannah1995 2 years ago
They didnt even save us in ww2 ;x but yeh gotta hate yanks :P
imonaboatman 2 years ago
thats what you take from this song...how sad i feel for you
Despenny4ever 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
??? Americans are fucking spastics without the UKs backing they'd never get anywhere.
imonaboatman 2 years ago
dude no use arguing with me. someone else was using my acount.
Despenny4ever 2 years ago
Um . . . when was that?
aarfeld 2 years ago
it wasnt just the americans that stopped the germans it was the australians and the english as well.
greatestaussiehunter 2 years ago
This is a tribute to those who fell inWW1. I didn't realise that Americans were involved in that particular territorial dispute!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
You're 100% correct. "We didn't start the fire"...just jumped in to help and reinforce the French and Brits...brother's in arms.
Aussies are great fighters...always want them on our side. The help of the USA was requested, by the govt's of France and England. We should have skipped this one, and waited for the BIG ONE-20 yrs later. Same countries, same reason for our being there to - help, when asked.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
If you would've skipped it, perhaps there would have been no ww2
HomicidalSabu 2 years ago
WW11 WAS the war to which I was referring when I said "We should have skipped it" since the USA had not been attacked by Germany. It was Britain, France, Germany, Russia, etc. that was in danger of being Germanicized, if you will.
Yanks responded because they were asked by the govt. of those aforementioned countries, the citizens of which were being slaughtered. The USA didn't jump in because they had an extra 1/2 million young men who needed to be cannon fodder in Europe.
HelenSSpencer77 2 years ago
sorry, I missunderstood you.
But as far as I know it was not only the pleading of Nations like Brittain and France, but also the Attack on Pearl Harbor beeing responsible for the US joining the war, ain't that right?
HomicidalSabu 2 years ago
Um, I think you'll find that Germany declared war on you, not the other way around..
Following the US declaration of war on Japan post Pearl Harbour, Germany and Italy declared war on the US.
At this stage, Hitler had already called off the attack on Moscow, and Rommel was withdraweing across Africa waiting for supplies that were never going to come.. Don't kid youself that they would have won anyway..
gonzalezgibb 2 years ago
I served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, which--obviously--have not been anywhere nearly as costly as previous wars. That said, I can tell you that catoutofhell is correct: "there are no victorious dead, just the dead." Glory is an illusion, folks. War, although occasionally necessary, is never glorious. That mentality is for armchair generals who have never been shot at.
usmc1088 3 years ago 24
I have great respect for you as a vet and i agree that war is never glourious but is nesscary
StrikeEagle84015 3 years ago
Thank you for your kind words. You'll never know how much they are appreciated. Peace.
usmc1088 3 years ago
Thank you , thank you for keep the memories alive. We must NEVER forget.
God bless all those who have gone and those who still fight on for us.
hatton1234 3 years ago
I'll never forget
youngphelan 3 years ago
Thank you for serving.
If i could salute you through text, I would.
danicusrex 3 years ago
The kind words from people such as yourselves make it feel all the more worthwhile. Thanks so much.
usmc1088 3 years ago
He did this song in concert last night,accompanied by John MacDermott...great duet
smaitlan 3 years ago
That must have been sweet. Was it a live show you attended or was it on TV? Either way, I hope somebody can post it soon.
catoutofhell 3 years ago
A great piano rendition of this song was done by Dropkick Murphys called "The Green Fields of France". It's worth a listen.
CharybdisAA 3 years ago
Never Forget. long live the victorious dead. thank you.
veyronNYC 3 years ago
Ah, but there are no victorious dead, just the dead. That seems to be the whole point behind the song.
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame,
The killing, the dying, it was all done in vain,
For Willie McBride, it's all happened again,
And again, and again, and again, and again.
catoutofhell 3 years ago 12
GREAT song and version,has to be really by the man who wrote it!This is the first time I,ve heard Eric sing this and I sing it on here myself!I,ll know how it should be sung now but check out mine,not a bad effort I think.Thank you Eric for writing an amazing song.
JohnMcCash 3 years ago 2
This song should be played to every schoolchild to let them feel the Emotion and and hurt that war brings..it would also let them feel that their great grandparents were no less than a breed of heroes....we have little to gripe about these days in comparison to those that gave all during that awful War to end all Wars...Alas of course it never did end wars..
bloodnock2000 3 years ago 2
It is lovely and poignant at the same time.
My husband's grandfather went over the top, and saved an officer under fire, he received the DCM for bravery.
I have written a poem:here are 1st 2 and last 2 lines.
Excerpt. A boy went away to the horrors of war
To fight for his country to settle the score
Last 2 lines:It was the end of the fighting, and the great battle plan,
And the boy who helped win it returned home a man.
Jo Sparkes
Norfolk
8/11/2008
josparkes 3 years ago
With all due & sincere respect for those involved in your family,there's a controversial point I'd like to clarify:it looks like going to "the horrors of war" was justified by the need to answer one's country's call "to settle the score".And in the end, the "boy who helped win it returned home a man".Now,there's three remarkable points:1)the war means "horrors"-2)War is needed to settle the score.-3)If you make it back home,you come back a full grown-up man.
My theory:NO TO WAR 2 B A WISE MAN!
Richardironheart 3 years ago
Of course, but if you know of a way to keep people happy and stop oppression and discontent within countries, not to mentiom Dictatorship and megolamania and hunger for power, then U will have the answer to stopping wars !
Tell that to Mugabe and Hitler, and others etc
Jo Sparkes
Norfolk
2/1/2008
josparkes 3 years ago
I do agree with all.The way,to me,is to change our mentality and let children be growing with the principle that war is the worst of means to settle any problem as it actually multiplies them!Also,the long list of dicators must be dealt with not just by waging war to their countries,but selectively aiming at ridding each one of them,and not,as with Hitler,making money with him till the day before war was declared.He and his gang could be swept off in 1933 sparing lives by the millions!
Thank U
Richardironheart 3 years ago
noman's land, green fields of France, Willie McBride I mean who cares what it's called, it just agreat anti war song
tamhamilton 3 years ago
I think it's the most powerful and convicting one I've ever heard.
TheBluntNinja 3 years ago 2
Never listen to any other recorded version of this classic anti-war song. And note the name of the song "No man's land".... NOT Willy McBride or The Green Fields of France!!
KyranGeraghty 3 years ago 4
Quite so, and hear hear KyranGeraghty no other recordings of this epic song come close to Eric Bogle's own...
GrannySea 3 years ago
Have you listened to June Tabor's version? Try it.
jesroddy 3 years ago
As far as I know, this is Eric Bogle singing alone. What is your basis for claiming that he is singing with some German singer?
abrekutu 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is Eric Bogle singing with Wacholder, a German singer. It is my favorite version of this song. Notice the bell in the last part. It adds a quality that I like.
yellowwood1 3 years ago
What a load of alte Scheisse!!
KyranGeraghty 3 years ago
you, my friend, are talking through your arse. this is his bacing band that he tours with. a glasow man, now residng in oz. hen i say glasgow i do men scottish,
25078407 3 years ago
Eric Bogle was born in Peebles, which is the other end of Scotland from Glasgow.
CiB42 3 years ago
great song
ulster147 3 years ago
one of the best scotish writers he is not an australian even though he wrote waltsing matilda
but he now duz live in oz!
ashfly 3 years ago
Waltzing Matilda, of course, was written in 1895 by Banjo Patterson. Eric Bogle wrote "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda."
GoodOldGar 3 years ago 2
Waltzing Matilda uses an old Scottish melody aswell. Not by Bogle though.
RMC1989 3 years ago
i have loved this song for SOOOOO long ..... the only one i have heard is the frueys version .. and i have always thought that to be haunting but eric ohhh eric .... this is SOO fantastic AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
topOZchick 3 years ago
good song but i think dropick murphys cover is better:)
feddy68 3 years ago
Who the hell is Dropkick Murphy? Or should that be Drop Dead Murphy??? But I do respect your stupid oppinion!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
A very moving and sad song.
Pbirv 3 years ago
My great-aunt Georgina in England died in the mid 1980s at close to 90. She never married, and though she never said anything to me they told me later that she had had a sweetheart who was killed in France in World War I. I suppose she was one of the many faithful hearts that held someone's memory.
timbo8757 3 years ago 6
thats beautiful
DimebagRIPCFH 3 years ago
Thank you. Georgina Hinch died in Brimington, Derbyshire, UK in or about 1985.
timbo8757 3 years ago
This shows the grave of Private William McBride from Ayr, Scotland serving in the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Died 28/09/1918, aged 33. GRAND RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, HAVRINCOURT
smidsycrash 3 years ago
Actually it's William McBride, age 21 of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and he was killed on April 22, 1916. I'm not sure which battalion this Willie McBride was in when he was killed, but on this date some were in France and some in Gallipoli. Read the inscription.
BTW, it's meant to be symbolic.
catoutofhell 3 years ago
There's dozens of William McBrides who fought in WW1. The song doesn't refer to anyone in particular, like you said - it's symbolic
LGempire 3 years ago
eric bogel wrote the song about 19 year old private william mcbride of the 36th ulster division royal inniskilling fusiliers. when he was visiting the site of the somme.eric bogel looked at over 10 william mcbrides graves. but the 19 year old stuck in his head. but the song is symbolic kind of 4 everybody that died in ww1
chuckyl69 3 years ago 2
One of the best songs to come out of Scotland. Eric Bogle, born in Peebles, Scotland wrote this as an anti war poem. Gets a lot of lip service even from war mongering leaders like Tony Blair.
johnno75 3 years ago 3
i thought it was irish produced???:O
gceltic08 3 years ago
Eric Bogle was born in Scotland and moved to Australia in 1969 at the age of 25. He wrote this song in '76. It could be considered part Scot, part Aussie. He seems to have some affinity for the ANZACs when you consider he also wrote "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda", which was about an Aussie soldier leaving for and returning from Gallipoli.
catoutofhell 3 years ago
Yer right, Cat. Seen him perform this song a couple of times at the Winnipeg Folk Fest. Great performer! Heard he was trained as an acoountant, but gave it up for music. Our gain, if it's true!
lgcrooks 3 years ago
just listen to how he says "flowers" that's pure Scot
sutmae1 3 years ago
Tony Blair has said it's his favourite anti-war poem
LGempire 3 years ago
Too bad he didn't take a blind bit of notice...
flabbybabby 3 years ago
No now we just bomb the hell out of civilians and threaten each other with nuclear weapons...I do agree with your comment about how sad it is though. Until humanity learns to solve its problems with words rather than fists the lack of a major global war is only a temporary reprieve.
WintersMephisto 3 years ago
Maybe so but no one will actually fire a nuke. Everyone's scared shitless that ther'll be a nuclear hollocaust so they lock the nukes in a basement made of Treaty's. And besides, there would have to actually be something level with WWI of WWII for nukes to actually be authorized. And even then only one or two. People don't just sit there and go, lets nuke this country today, that one tommorow.
FOR THE IMPERIUM OF MAN! FOR THE CORPSE-GOD!
toothyp1cks1 3 years ago
This is definatly Eric Bogle singing! The german version is from Hannes Wader.
Guenter51 3 years ago
This absoutely IS Eric, I've been to see him a dozen times and have all of his recordings.
A MASTER of his craft.
jonh711 3 years ago
This is mad. I only knew this as an Irish folk song by The Fureys until I googled it. I only knew it as The Green Fields of France. The lyrics are different in places on the Fureys version. Still an absolute classic. Glad I have heard the original.
meerollll 3 years ago
My apologies to JoeBoy6209. I just noticed over on the right that he's had his Bogle version up a year longer than this one (I had said earlier that I couldn't find another Bogle on youtube).
catoutofhell 3 years ago
this is eric bogle. i grew up on eric bogle, i am sure tis is him singing
bernskiwoo 3 years ago
Yep. Wouldn't mistake that voice anywhere. I agree it is Eric Bogle. I have at least one CD with this song on it. Saw him live a couple of years ago at the Winnipeg (Canada) Folk Festival, and he sang this. (The song is also known as The Green Fields of France.)
lgcrooks 3 years ago
This is not Eric Bogle singing, but he wrote the song, and Hannes Wader did a German translation.
dickTed 3 years ago
If you go to amazon and listen to the sample from his "By Request" CD, you'll see this is, in fact, Eric Bogle singing.
catoutofhell 3 years ago
This is definatly Eric Bogle sining.
webmhaster 3 years ago
Who is it then
cuberoll65 3 years ago
Who is Hannes Wader? Whoever he is, Eric Bogle is the author of"No Man's Land."
abrekutu 3 years ago
does he have a brother named Darth?
edolearczyk 3 years ago
I always thought, that this song is original by Hannes Wader?!?
Graffinsfan 3 years ago
Interesting. I've actually never heard Eric Bogle singing this before. I've only heard John McCormack's version and the Fureys & Davey Arthur's version. This is really different and is a much slower version with a totally different melody in places. It's still a very nice version and I'm glad I've listened to it, but personally I do prefer the cover versions.
Bealzbob 3 years ago
Which John McCormack? Not the famous Irish Tenor!! Who was long dead probably before Eric Bogle was born!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
you guys shouldn't talk about whether it's worth listening to or not...in my opinion the only important thing is the message behind it!!!! Such things should never happen again...
although I like eric bogle's version more...great performance!!!
DarthVop 4 years ago
Not that this isn't great and not that the Dropkick Murphys do a good job but I'm sorry, the definitive version of this is by BARLEY BREE from the "No Man's Land" LP from the 80s.
jimmystagger 4 years ago
Bollocks!! Eric Bogles version of his own classic is the only one worth listening to! Kyran Geraghty in County Roscommon.
KyranGeraghty 4 years ago 2
To be honest, there are several good versions. But still, I think that Bogle's version is the best.
Solaufein123 4 years ago
The reason I posted this was get Bogel's version on here, not to compete with anyone else's.
There are versions done by Liam Clancy, DKM, The Fureys, McDermott and others. I thought the song writer deserved a spot.
catoutofhell 4 years ago
Dropkick Murphy's cover is better :)
PinkSeries 4 years ago
I disagree .. he is a good singer but he seems put a bit too much emotion into the song .. it should be more somber.
picassoui 4 years ago
I like how he puts the emotions in the song :)
It's a beautiful song about a tragedy.. .. but we're all different ;)
PinkSeries 4 years ago
it is a difference of what apeals to you .. for example personaly i cant stand to hear sacred hymns sung quickly .. it urks me ..
picassoui 4 years ago
lol x)
PinkSeries 4 years ago
I think you & I are to really different persons :p hehe :]
PinkSeries 4 years ago
That is what makes an interesting world .
I hope we can agree on that .lol.
picassoui 4 years ago 2
4sure! :D
hehe
PinkSeries 4 years ago
Get a grip!! Get a Life while you are at it!!
KyranGeraghty 2 years ago
It is a rare moment I ever cry. The first time I heard this, it was two years ago in high school. As I listened to the song play, I had to stare at my desk and shield my eyes from the view of the others... and it's a song like that, one that draws tears from me, that is effective in delivering its message. A beautiful work I will never forget.
metalkirby777 4 years ago 8
I'm off to get a hanky... :( This is one hell of a song!
lurion 4 years ago
So good to hear it again. Such a great, great song!!!
Grischnakh 4 years ago 3
I think the video "Remember Them" features Bogle singing "And the Band Played 'Waltzing Matilda'". Also, while I very much like the version of "No Man's Land" which you posted, I believe I've heard another version on one of his albums which seems to me to have had more emotion and a little faster tempo. I think the album was titled "By Request." I could be mistaken.
abrekutu 4 years ago
G-D bless you! I've been praying that someone would post the Bogle version of this song. A million times, thanks!
abrekutu 4 years ago 2
You're both very welcome. If you haven't noticed, over on the listing there's a post of "And the Band Played" put up by MarcusP52. It sounds suspiciously like Mr. Bogle too. :)
catoutofhell 4 years ago
Thanks for the fine tune.
BloodPigggy 4 years ago
Great, the original!
PimptasticKay 4 years ago
Yep, there's a lot of covers on here and I thought Bogle's version would be nice. Sorry about the static view though. I just don't have the patience to dress it up.
catoutofhell 4 years ago
C'mon! Nothing by Eric Bogle needs dressing up.
penbaj 4 years ago
lol Touché.
catoutofhell 4 years ago