I have seen the criticism of some aspects of this film. I have the honour of being the son of a soldier in the 51st Highland Div who fought on the Somme and was badly wounded at High Wood. I know that he would have uttered no word of criticism. Instead he would have thanked, as I do now, the makers of the film who refuse to allow the dead, his friends and comrades, to be forgotten.
I always found this song moving, but watching this video today as my 9 yr old son is due to visit Somme tomorrow on a school trip, seeing another school party there and each of those stones and crosses representing somebody's son who never came back, found it even more poignant. (Check out Men They Could Not Hang version too - "Green Fields of France". Very different but equally good.)
This is such a powerful, beautiful song -- the one song I come closest to crying in everytime I listen to it.
The regret and overwhelming feel of sadness at the wastefulness of war seeps through every note and word. A truly moving song and the video suits it perfectly.
would bring a tear to a glass eye. heroes each and every1 of them. Upsetting to hear some celtic fans at parkhead protesting the 2 mins applause walking out on it because it was for the british army. lest we forget, gone but not forgotten
Part of that vid is shot at 'Fat Jack's'. He has a shop on the site selling medals. He also (to a trained eye) digs a lot of the 'original' trenches himself. Anything for a few Francs eh?
June Tabor's rendition captures perfectly the mood and sentiment Eric Bogle was trying to convey when he wrote this great song.
I have John Peel to thank for introducing me and all his other listeners ( back in 1977 ) to June Tabor and this song - which is for me, and will forever remain, the definitive rendition of this classic.
Kelt1c71: You and me both, pal - I have an old cassette recording of the John Peel show from (it must have been) 1977, where he says, "Isn't that the kind of performance that would stop anyone who loves good music in their tracks?" Sure was - the quintessential, definitive, ultimate anti-war song, so perfectly rendered... Excellent video - we should not forget them.
I went on this trip a few days ago and it was so sad. I am truly grateful for all those brave soldiers who died for us. I can't believe there were so many!
i saw sides of people i never thought id see... and it takes a lot for me too cry and OMG i cried .... i went on that trip to enjoy myself and have fun with my friend s..but i left much much more matured and i began to understand things that i would have never thought i would think about... im not sure if i'll go again though!!!!!!!
Moving music. Very fitting. I've been to the battlefields. It takes a lot to make me cry, but when I went out there, all those graves, all those young men killed, trust me I cried. To the men who died fighting in that war, whether British, French, German... I respect you all equally. You all died fighting for your countries, and that was brave. Rest in peace.
There are SOME trenches that have been looked after but most have been overgrown. There is a big Canadian trench stysme that is still there you can walk around them.
Just to explain, my search for June Tabor's music is a reply to flatus69, not my only thoughts after watching the video. This catastrophe was not very long ago. I think the first thing we British should fight these days is the island mentality, xenophobic nasties lie within that, in my opinion. It's good to move around and meet neighbours/brothers! The cemeteries aren't the only motivation but...
Still searching for 'A Cold Wind', but there are a couple of us looking now! I'll certainly jump on any chances to hear her sing, not the tiniest bit of artifice in her vocal. Also something generally special for me about discovering folk music. Cheers greenbakelite.
i to was in france and belguim in 2006, very moving place and really gets to you when you don't realise you have arrived there, well done on a good memorial video
Thanks for posting, abooth202. And no soundtrack could have been more appropriate. For those who don't know, 'No Man's Land' (aka 'Green Fields of France', or 'Willie McBride') and 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' were both written by Eric Bogle, a Scot who emigrated to Australia. Both were consummately covered by June Tabor. And the organ recital at the end of June's version of 'No Man's Land' featured here actually is a variation on the old Scots lament, 'Flowers of the Forest'.
I'm looking for the theme to Spyship! Been looking for a couple of years. It was called 'A Cold Wind' and pretty much haunted me since I was 11yrs old! I'd be grateful for any leads, any at all! Thanks June Tabor fan
This one really chokes me up even though I've seen it numerous times.The song is from a June Tabor cd called "Ashes And Diamonds".June's version of "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" from her cd "Airs And Graces" is equally solemn,eloquent,and tragic.A quote from the author Umberto Eco;"By now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma-a harmless enigma-that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth".
One more little detail,the song is "No Man's Land" written by Eric Bogle and "The Flowers o' the Forest" is a different song mentioned as it is the traditional beautiful lament played for Scotland's fallen heroes ,now used worldwide as a lament , and a beautiful tune in itself that would do honor to another video as background,congratulations on a startlingly powerful video ,and keep up the marvelous work,and ignore the naysayers.regards,Tom
A touching panoply of the waste of war, heart wrenching in it's simplicity a reminder of my four family members lost,no grave but the sea, and uncle Rod,shelled at Vimy Ridge, and gassed at Ypres. Should be shown in schools ,it has more power than mighty words by great men. As my friend Jimmy Weaver,DFC,RCAF said to me one day while we were looking on his wall at the photos of his wingmen who never came bacK, "there are the real heroes,Tom" Thank you from this military family!!!!
.I would like you to know the following. I have the utmost respect for the War Graves Commission and the men that died for Britain in both World Wars. I did not just 'shove' a camera in a graveyard, I gained permission off the trip leader, who is the most emotional and knowledgable man I know when it comes to The Great War, and I know for certain that if he thought it disprespectful to film in a Cemetery, he would have restricted me from doing so...
...This video is not a form of 'art', only a moving tribute to a moving trip around the battlefields of Belgium, a trip that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
sad from a right wing point of view hordalending. like all wars i bet you glorify them into a racial aspect. people like you should be removed to greenland,naked with a box of matches them you will see how tough life can be in a survival situation like ww1.
You are, of course, right - despite what the ill-informed say. Often there was less agression when English faced Saxons, as opposed to Scottish-Prussians for example.
A beautiful video, and a very fitting tribute. I visited Valentine Sturdjwick's grave at Essex farm when i went there in 2005 very moving when i was looking down and his gravestone. Nice to see Thiepval memorial, the pool of peace at Lone Tree cemetary, Sanctuary wood, Tyne Cott. Thank you for this video reminds me exactly why i want to return there one day.
Very moving. I was in tears when I saw the age on the toombstone, he was just 15! And another great version of "Waltzing Matilda", is done by The Pogues.
Thankyou all for your kind comments, and thankyou to CFR206 and Sumer61 for recommending The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. It's a beautiful song. I may make a video set to this song, so stay tuned.
When the Cameraman entered the trench it makes you think about 100-200 feet away would be the Germans shooting at you and sometimes the enemy Trenches would be so close you could hear the Germans talking it is a very moveing video
Thankyou, glad you liked it. The song is Flowers of the forest (Green Fields of France) By June Tabor. Its a relatively difficult song to find as she only sang it as a tribute on rememberance day. It has been covered many times before and after her rendition, although hers if the best by far.
It's not Flowers of the Forest. It's a song that mentions Flowers of the Forest. The song is called "Green Fields of France" or "No Man's Land". I's a popular folk song.
Thanks for uploading video!
gallowayschools 3 weeks ago
For who's still alive, we can search for truth, find God and place hope in his promises for the future.
For them, we'll trust God to fulfill his promise: Acts 24:15. :,)
canciones3 11 months ago
I have seen the criticism of some aspects of this film. I have the honour of being the son of a soldier in the 51st Highland Div who fought on the Somme and was badly wounded at High Wood. I know that he would have uttered no word of criticism. Instead he would have thanked, as I do now, the makers of the film who refuse to allow the dead, his friends and comrades, to be forgotten.
Norfolkscot 1 year ago
I love this song, sad as it is. It makes me think of a memorial near me
"When you go home tell them of us and say
for your tomorrow we gave our today"
MissyAMAT 1 year ago
just come back of this trip with wath comp :D went to exactly the same places :) amazing trip!!!!
singingforeva 1 year ago
is anyone else looking forward to a new June Tabor cd?It has been quite a while since "Apples".
flatus69 1 year ago
We will remember them! x
dazzajlee 1 year ago
I always found this song moving, but watching this video today as my 9 yr old son is due to visit Somme tomorrow on a school trip, seeing another school party there and each of those stones and crosses representing somebody's son who never came back, found it even more poignant. (Check out Men They Could Not Hang version too - "Green Fields of France". Very different but equally good.)
sentesteng 1 year ago
Hard not to weep for all the young soldiers who died in vain in the most dreadful of circumstances on all sides. War is the enemy.
batlin 2 years ago 3
Well done kids, that was a very moving tribute to a brave generation that went before and gave the ulitmate sacrifice for this nation.
nacho1560 3 years ago
true heroes. will go someday and visit the somme e.t.c. lets not forget either the great jobs our boys are doin over in afghanistan, iraq e.t.c
realrangers1873 3 years ago
This is such a powerful, beautiful song -- the one song I come closest to crying in everytime I listen to it.
The regret and overwhelming feel of sadness at the wastefulness of war seeps through every note and word. A truly moving song and the video suits it perfectly.
ShadowsOracle 3 years ago 3
i couldnt say it better my self. thats just how i feel to.
vanserkikkiii 2 years ago
would bring a tear to a glass eye. heroes each and every1 of them. Upsetting to hear some celtic fans at parkhead protesting the 2 mins applause walking out on it because it was for the british army. lest we forget, gone but not forgotten
realrangers1873 3 years ago
Part of that vid is shot at 'Fat Jack's'. He has a shop on the site selling medals. He also (to a trained eye) digs a lot of the 'original' trenches himself. Anything for a few Francs eh?
wesmatron 3 years ago
Yes, our Teacher at the time said that the trenches weren't original, and rather 'recreated'.
abooth202 3 years ago
For God and Ulster.
ltmooreso 3 years ago
June Tabor's rendition captures perfectly the mood and sentiment Eric Bogle was trying to convey when he wrote this great song.
I have John Peel to thank for introducing me and all his other listeners ( back in 1977 ) to June Tabor and this song - which is for me, and will forever remain, the definitive rendition of this classic.
Kelt1c71 3 years ago
Kelt1c71: You and me both, pal - I have an old cassette recording of the John Peel show from (it must have been) 1977, where he says, "Isn't that the kind of performance that would stop anyone who loves good music in their tracks?" Sure was - the quintessential, definitive, ultimate anti-war song, so perfectly rendered... Excellent video - we should not forget them.
markpde 3 years ago
The word 'awesome' seems inappropriate to describe this film, nevertheless I can't give it anything but the highest rating possible.
This is a powerful and moving combination of music and images.
Pragjag 3 years ago
The greatest version of Willy McBride I have ever heard.
Heuri1 3 years ago
Does anyone remember a fine cd from 1998--- "June Tabor-On Air"?
flatus69 3 years ago
I went on this trip a few days ago and it was so sad. I am truly grateful for all those brave soldiers who died for us. I can't believe there were so many!
matthe3234 3 years ago
I went there with my school....
and it was so moving...
i saw sides of people i never thought id see... and it takes a lot for me too cry and OMG i cried .... i went on that trip to enjoy myself and have fun with my friend s..but i left much much more matured and i began to understand things that i would have never thought i would think about... im not sure if i'll go again though!!!!!!!
MysterySingerGirl 3 years ago
Moving music. Very fitting. I've been to the battlefields. It takes a lot to make me cry, but when I went out there, all those graves, all those young men killed, trust me I cried. To the men who died fighting in that war, whether British, French, German... I respect you all equally. You all died fighting for your countries, and that was brave. Rest in peace.
ER3606 3 years ago
never again
wesztie 3 years ago
Awwh cute, very moving!! that song :O wow x
tamb9495154 3 years ago
whasts the name of this song?
vanserkikkiii 3 years ago
No Man's Land. Also called "The Green Fields Fields Of France".
Originally written by Eric Bogle, it's been covered several times by artists like John McDermott, The Fureys, The Dubliners and Dropkick Murphys.
This one is by June Tabor.
RostiLFC 3 years ago
What a voice!
flatus69 3 years ago
More Tabor video please?
flatus69 3 years ago
There are SOME trenches that have been looked after but most have been overgrown. There is a big Canadian trench stysme that is still there you can walk around them.
1donk2donk3donk4 4 years ago
are the german trenches there or not?!?
emonazi88 4 years ago
u cant really tell wen u walk around them. so i guess they are.
1donk2donk3donk4 3 years ago
around the sunken lane you can see filled in dugout underground
neveragainfilms 3 years ago
well, the horrendous losses at somme occured because of two things modern weapons and napoleonic tactics oh and are the geman trenches still there?
dogomaticpro 4 years ago
Is there a web-site dedicated to discussing the work of this fine,fine singer?
flatus69 4 years ago
Just to explain, my search for June Tabor's music is a reply to flatus69, not my only thoughts after watching the video. This catastrophe was not very long ago. I think the first thing we British should fight these days is the island mentality, xenophobic nasties lie within that, in my opinion. It's good to move around and meet neighbours/brothers! The cemeteries aren't the only motivation but...
TPEKHH 4 years ago
Did you ever find Junes music ? I read with interest and empathy your posting
Junes voice is unforgetable if ever you get a chance to see her go to a concert i think you will enjoy - Good luck
greenbakelite 4 years ago
Still searching for 'A Cold Wind', but there are a couple of us looking now! I'll certainly jump on any chances to hear her sing, not the tiniest bit of artifice in her vocal. Also something generally special for me about discovering folk music. Cheers greenbakelite.
TPEKHH 4 years ago
i to was in france and belguim in 2006, very moving place and really gets to you when you don't realise you have arrived there, well done on a good memorial video
ulsterscot1690 4 years ago
Thanks for posting, abooth202. And no soundtrack could have been more appropriate. For those who don't know, 'No Man's Land' (aka 'Green Fields of France', or 'Willie McBride') and 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' were both written by Eric Bogle, a Scot who emigrated to Australia. Both were consummately covered by June Tabor. And the organ recital at the end of June's version of 'No Man's Land' featured here actually is a variation on the old Scots lament, 'Flowers of the Forest'.
markpde 4 years ago
very emmotive - Junes voice for ever rich throughout the decades -
greenbakelite 4 years ago
Magnificent. A great voice and a sad commentary!
Majorlurk
majorlurk 4 years ago
Magnificent!Are there any other June Tabor fans out there?Let's talk!
flatus69 4 years ago
I'm looking for the theme to Spyship! Been looking for a couple of years. It was called 'A Cold Wind' and pretty much haunted me since I was 11yrs old! I'd be grateful for any leads, any at all! Thanks June Tabor fan
TPEKHH 4 years ago
Re: 'A Cold Wind":Yes,I know of this OOP 45.Please contact me.
flatus69 4 years ago
Cheers!
TPEKHH 4 years ago
Thanks for posting.
nighthawk006 4 years ago
Please note that webcam ads like the one I just spammed will not be tolerated on videos like this.
bagpipeplayer 4 years ago
What a waste!
LeamingtonSteve 4 years ago
so many young men..british,germans,french,italians,greek..all!war is madness!
aGREEKos 4 years ago
So moving mate,went to the Somme a few years ago,such a sad place.
bhicksss 4 years ago
Moving
Seems we have visited the same places in the same year and found the same artist to underline our feelings with her beautifull voice and lyricks
hanshighlander 4 years ago
This one really chokes me up even though I've seen it numerous times.The song is from a June Tabor cd called "Ashes And Diamonds".June's version of "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" from her cd "Airs And Graces" is equally solemn,eloquent,and tragic.A quote from the author Umberto Eco;"By now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma-a harmless enigma-that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth".
rshackleford501 4 years ago
One more little detail,the song is "No Man's Land" written by Eric Bogle and "The Flowers o' the Forest" is a different song mentioned as it is the traditional beautiful lament played for Scotland's fallen heroes ,now used worldwide as a lament , and a beautiful tune in itself that would do honor to another video as background,congratulations on a startlingly powerful video ,and keep up the marvelous work,and ignore the naysayers.regards,Tom
Macangusagain 4 years ago
A touching panoply of the waste of war, heart wrenching in it's simplicity a reminder of my four family members lost,no grave but the sea, and uncle Rod,shelled at Vimy Ridge, and gassed at Ypres. Should be shown in schools ,it has more power than mighty words by great men. As my friend Jimmy Weaver,DFC,RCAF said to me one day while we were looking on his wall at the photos of his wingmen who never came bacK, "there are the real heroes,Tom" Thank you from this military family!!!!
Macangusagain 4 years ago
Shoving a camera in a graveyard is not art, nor does it make for "oh-so-moving" viewing.
Your sub-par attempt at both disgusts me.
FenricsToast 5 years ago
.I would like you to know the following. I have the utmost respect for the War Graves Commission and the men that died for Britain in both World Wars. I did not just 'shove' a camera in a graveyard, I gained permission off the trip leader, who is the most emotional and knowledgable man I know when it comes to The Great War, and I know for certain that if he thought it disprespectful to film in a Cemetery, he would have restricted me from doing so...
abooth202 5 years ago
...This video is not a form of 'art', only a moving tribute to a moving trip around the battlefields of Belgium, a trip that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
abooth202 5 years ago
sad from a right wing point of view hordalending. like all wars i bet you glorify them into a racial aspect. people like you should be removed to greenland,naked with a box of matches them you will see how tough life can be in a survival situation like ww1.
chris6701 5 years ago
How sad. And this was a brother-war, where men of the same Saxon blood slaughtered each other.
Hordalending 5 years ago
You are, of course, right - despite what the ill-informed say. Often there was less agression when English faced Saxons, as opposed to Scottish-Prussians for example.
rogthedodger 4 years ago
The song is on her greatest hits CD
HashRouge 5 years ago
A beautiful video, and a very fitting tribute. I visited Valentine Sturdjwick's grave at Essex farm when i went there in 2005 very moving when i was looking down and his gravestone. Nice to see Thiepval memorial, the pool of peace at Lone Tree cemetary, Sanctuary wood, Tyne Cott. Thank you for this video reminds me exactly why i want to return there one day.
icudan 5 years ago
Very moving. I was in tears when I saw the age on the toombstone, he was just 15! And another great version of "Waltzing Matilda", is done by The Pogues.
Sumer61 5 years ago
Thankyou all for your kind comments, and thankyou to CFR206 and Sumer61 for recommending The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. It's a beautiful song. I may make a video set to this song, so stay tuned.
abooth202 5 years ago
I like the version by The Men They Couldn't Hang. Have a listen to 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' by Eric Bogle. Another powerful WW1 song.
CFR206 5 years ago
When the Cameraman entered the trench it makes you think about 100-200 feet away would be the Germans shooting at you and sometimes the enemy Trenches would be so close you could hear the Germans talking it is a very moveing video
Llaner 5 years ago
The song, its fantastic! Great Vid too! Beautiful!
FaceFlab 5 years ago
Thankyou, glad you liked it. The song is Flowers of the forest (Green Fields of France) By June Tabor. Its a relatively difficult song to find as she only sang it as a tribute on rememberance day. It has been covered many times before and after her rendition, although hers if the best by far.
abooth202 5 years ago
It's not Flowers of the Forest. It's a song that mentions Flowers of the Forest. The song is called "Green Fields of France" or "No Man's Land". I's a popular folk song.
dorbie 4 years ago
P.S. the very short organ piece at the end is Flowers of the Forest.
dorbie 4 years ago
I'm french, i live in somme near Albert. i find this movie very great
knetlevrai 5 years ago
Thankyou very much, I'm glad you liked it.
abooth202 5 years ago
went to these places about a week ago very moving places. Great video
billx100 5 years ago
hey mate
i went on a very similar trip 2004. hill 62 yea? Menim Gate....
we went to vimy ridge as well and tyne cot - that was the most moving place i have ever been....
for that reason i will accept your video.
J
candj 5 years ago