From Iraq: Last Letter Home from Pfc. Jesse Givens

US Army Pfc. Jesse Givens died in Iraq in the service of his country on the first of May, 2003, in his 34th year. He wrote this letter to his wife Melissa, his five year-old son Dakota (nicknamed 'Toad') and his unborn child Carson (nicknamed 'Bean'). He asked Melissa not to open the envelope unless he was killed. 'Please, only read it if I don't come home,' he wrote. 'Please put it away and hopefully you will never have to read it.'

This piece was originally composed for Cantus, a male chorus, which performs it on tour all over the country (www.cantusonline.org). Melissa Givens approved this musical setting. A beautiful article that includes more of the original letter can be found at
www.thefinalrollcall.us/stories/bye-bye.htm

Andrew Garland, baritone
Lee Hoiby, composer and pianist
www.andrewgarland.com
www.leehoiby.com
Copyright Schott Music Corp. 2007

Category:

News & Politics

[klassklown64]

i dont believe words can sum up the magnanimity of this letter. What greater act of love and selflessness can be expressed by such a father and husband than depicted in this farewell? I dont care where u're from, religion, beliefs, etc. This is something MORE and UNIVERSAL that anyone can appreciate if they could try and be empathetic for a while. So, i say, listen to the words, commitment, and dedication this man had to his family and life over any war and ocean in between.

[TankiesYank]

So you think that, if we back off and appease the Islamists, then they'll let all the Christians happily trot off into the sunset? Like in Iraq and Afghanistan? Oh, that's right, they don't. Do you ever read a newspaper?

I am not anti-Islam, anti-Christian or anything else other than anti-stupidity.

[jessessontoad]

thank u sir my dad would be very happy im toad his son i luv this u have made my life better he would thank u if he could my mom is great full as well u turned his last letter in to a song and i thank u for that and to all the people who have posted nice comments thank u it means alot to me

[srt0914]

A beautiful piece with a beautiful message. I know the singer as well! :)

[daamqc]

Saddest video I've seen. Great baritone.

[summoningmurderur]

My real name is Jesse Givens. (no joke) i was kinda sad when i heard someone who shared my name died in Iraq, and somehwat recently. So rest in peace man, happy to share your name

[tul10c]

=The World famous "THEGOLDEN BOOK OF ARABIC" (Search it on FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE.) saving lives of US Soldiers in Iraq. Highly Recommend it to all those who are still struggling to figure this language out. It s a REAL LIFE SAVER! You ll be making simple/complex sentnences in a week! Very simple and easy instructions 1000s of VERB TABLES with daily uses. BOUGHT mine from AUTHORHOUSE COM Now plan to send it to my buddies who are still there. YOU2 CAN SAVE A LIFE! Sold only at authorhouse com

SOS

[Glaesz28UwO]

How can i find this sheet music?

[fatezor]

So many good lives wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan. all for oil. so sad.

[Maksudbek]

rossie101 easy to say that

do u know how many union soldiers died in this wars(afgan and iraq ) and how many inecient people ,children ???

in firrst chance russians go na fuck without thinking u . not rude but truth

[rossie101]

FUCKERS this is so sad :( we need to with draw our troops :/ ( Im english) plus the americans

BASTARDS fucking afgahnistan and iraq should be wiped off the face of this earth we need russia's help!

[SpanglishCarlos]

you're dumb, he's not the one singing it...click more info silly