I Vow to Thee My Country

Rachel Landrecht presents a powerfully moving performance of Gustav Holst's "I Vow to Thee My Country" at the nationally-televised memorial service for Smokey Smith, the last of the surviving Victoria Cross recipients.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Diana
• Holst
• Landrecht
• Princess
• Rachel
• Smith
• Smokey

[mashhh]

Beautiful! Sent a tingle down my spine!

British, Canadian, Australian, American, NZ - All English peoples should continue to pull together for the greater good of all.

Thanks for the upload.

[Roseburg93]

Really very beautiful. A pity not to sing the second verse though as it would have been very appropriate for Canada.

I heard my country calling, away across the sea,

Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me.

Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,

And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.

I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns,

I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons.

[Posthornli]

@Roseburg93

I absolutely agree! Would you maybe know where to find amusical version with all the three verses? Can´t find it anywhere,none of the vrsions on you tube offers it, yet the second verse is the most patriotic,isn´t it? Thanks for your comment!!

Kindest regards, Milena (Posthornli) from Flanders Fields in Belgium

[TalliferUpplands]

One of the best videos I have seen for this great song. Very respectful. Also the soprano has a very clear and sustained voice: not gasping between lines and she adds just enough vibrato.

[WTFBBQ5]

God bless... From a free English brother...

[pinkfloydmike]

respect!

[TheYurichan]

beautiful and powerful...

[cityfire39]

Absolutely Beautiful. Brought me to tears.

[Gramson28]

Sgt Smokey Smith signed me into the Canadian Army in 1960. I was 15 years old.

Rest in Peace.

K804104

sk101810

[Benjaminwolf]

Wow!

[schnatalie77]

Gorgeous, touching... still sopping up the puddle on the floor.

[am36boro]

Beautiful rendition of my favourite hymn. I looked up Sgt Smith's history after reading some of the comments here. He really was one very brave guy.

Ms Landrecht's vocal is superb - so moving, against the simplicity of just the church organ. Superb send off for one of our bravest soldiers.