A Mark In Time

Previous Albums => Get Lucky (2009) => Topic started by: shangri la 1 on August 27, 2016, 08:28:49 AM

Title: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: shangri la 1 on August 27, 2016, 08:28:49 AM
(http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5220.0;attach=2392)
Remembrance Day (Mark Knopfler) (5.05)

LYRICS


On your maypole green
see the winding Morris men
Angry Alfie, Bill and Ken
waving hankies, sticks and boots
– all the earth and roots

Standing at the crease
the batsman takes a look around
The boys are fielding on home ground
The steeple sharp against the blue
– when I think of you

Sam and Andy, Jack and John
Charlie, Martin, Jamie, Ron
Harry, Stephen, Will and Don
Matthew, Michael – on and on

We will remember them
remember them, remember them
We will remember them
remember them, remember them

Time has slipped away
The summer sky to autumn yields
A haze of smoke across the fields
Let’s up and fight another round
and walk the stubbled ground

When November brings
the poppies on Remembrance Day
when the vicar comes to say
‘May God bless them, every one
Lest we forget our sons’

We will remember them
remember them, remember them
We will remember them
remember them, remember them

Song lyrics © Mercury
Reprise (USA)

CHORDS:  Remembrance Day – From Foma
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/m/mark_knopfler/remembrance_day_crd.htm

Live version from April 11th 2010
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w6jOosYt04


Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 06, 2021, 04:29:14 PM
This still without doubt has to be one of my favourite MK compositions.
I've just today 're-visited' this gem of an album and this track, well I suppose all the tracks on this album are simply gems in their own right but this one does stand out especially with the typical 'Village/Town' theme going on throughout the song. This has to be a a very down to earth song.....
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: dmg on August 07, 2021, 11:56:04 AM
This still without doubt has to be one of my favourite MK compositions.
I've just today 're-visited' this gem of an album and this track, well I suppose all the tracks on this album are simply gems in their own right but this one does stand out especially with the typical 'Village/Town' theme going on throughout the song. This has to be a a very down to earth song.....

I love it too.  Seems to be underrated and overlooked.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 07, 2021, 12:13:19 PM
I've just listened again in the car and I seriously wonder why it's so underrated....
I still keep thinking of Trafalgar Square and RD played there although it was only playback it was good to see MK 'Live' there..
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on August 07, 2021, 01:04:37 PM
Maybe because it's reflective and sad.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: dmg on August 07, 2021, 05:06:49 PM
Maybe because it's reflective and sad.

Maybe Piper is the song that most people think of along a similar vein in the solo portfolio and that takes precedence due to its many live performances and undoubted brilliance.  Such a shame as this deserves much more attention and often seems sidelined where "lesser" songs (the fillers) are given so much attention.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 07, 2021, 07:11:40 PM
Maybe because it's reflective and sad.

Maybe Piper is the song that most people think of along a similar vein in the solo portfolio and that takes precedence due to its many live performances and undoubted brilliance.  Such a shame as this deserves much more attention and often seems sidelined where "lesser" songs (the fillers) are given so much attention.

I guess you are right especially as like you say piper has been played numerous times and also exceptionally well....
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 07, 2021, 07:12:20 PM
Maybe because it's reflective and sad.
Granted and so is Piper....
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on August 07, 2021, 07:42:34 PM
Mark wrote many songs about parting about the war. But there is no cruelty in them. Piper To The End is a good example. Remembrance Day has more sadness and pain for me.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 08, 2021, 11:06:21 AM
Mark wrote many songs about parting about the war. But there is no cruelty in them. Piper To The End is a good example. Remembrance Day has more sadness and pain for me.

They are both very reflective songs and to be honest are classics in their own right. Remembrance day and also Piper are very sad, poignant songs based on reality
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: superval99 on August 08, 2021, 11:18:03 AM
I love Remembrance Day too, but I think that the reason it receives less attention than songs like Piper To The End is because it is about one particular day and other sad and reflective songs are more general.    I always play it on Remembrance Day and would like it to be played on the radio on that day too. 
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on August 08, 2021, 12:16:50 PM
Exactly. November 11. And it also returns every year for me.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Stanko on August 08, 2021, 08:44:15 PM
Remembrance Day is for a figure there, in the same way as the love is in Romeo and Juliet.
In fair correctness, you're allowed to reflect it in every day of your life, not only on November 11.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on August 08, 2021, 09:48:59 PM
It's true, but this November is important on Remembrance Day.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: qjamesfloyd on August 09, 2021, 10:31:32 AM
The war is a lesser talked about subject in Mark's song, and it doesn't immediately spring to mind as something Mark writes about, compared to someone like Roger Waters for example, but he has written about it in songs like Remembrance Day, Piper to The End, Brothers in Arms, Occupation Blues. Iron Hand, The Man's Too Strong, even Done with Bonaparte. Plus his famous rendition of The Last Post.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on August 09, 2021, 12:16:31 PM
Roger Waters recorded entire albums about war ... More Ride Across The River and Time Will End All Sorrow.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 09, 2021, 02:53:54 PM
I love Remembrance Day too, but I think that the reason it receives less attention than songs like Piper To The End is because it is about one particular day and other sad and reflective songs are more general.    I always play it on Remembrance Day and would like it to be played on the radio on that day too.

Yes, I get that Val. I'm like you I play the either the single or the Vinyl track especially on Remembrance day itself but I must confess it does get much airtime with me a lot of the time too....Such a strong, powerful tune...
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Pottel on December 14, 2021, 08:26:46 AM
had missed this post, but was listening to the LP of Get Lucky for the first time now i have finally gotten a record player (bluetooth, connected to my headphones, easy peasy) for my birthday, i am listening to all those records i collected but never listened to.
Anyways, when i came to RD, i wondered about the text and found these two interesting comments on a songtext "meaning" page (so it is the comments i mean, not the rest)
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858796076/
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on December 14, 2021, 09:30:41 AM
had missed this post, but was listening to the LP of Get Lucky for the first time now i have finally gotten a record player (bluetooth, connected to my headphones, easy peasy) for my birthday, i am listening to all those records i collected but never listened to.
Anyways, when i came to RD, i wondered about the text and found these two interesting comments on a songtext "meaning" page (so it is the comments i mean, not the rest)
https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858796076/

Those comments on the 'meaning' page exactly sum up the context of this fabulous song and what MK wanted to achieve and is exactly how I visualise this song whenever I hear it....Fabulous, just fabulous
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Love Expresso on December 14, 2021, 10:53:44 AM
I always thought that this was pretty clear? We had that elaborated already back when it was released.  :wave

Also when MK mentioned that those young men rushed to go to war and complete cricket teams went and only few of them came back. These lyrics are a masterpiece alone for the picture of the May Pole changing to the memorial...

LE
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on December 14, 2021, 11:22:09 AM
I always thought that this was pretty clear? We had that elaborated already back when it was released.  :wave

Also when MK mentioned that those young men rushed to go to war and complete cricket teams went and only few of them came back. These lyrics are a masterpiece alone for the picture of the May Pole changing to the memorial...

LE

Oh yes, we had quite a discussion about RD in the day didn't we...
One thought I will share is that MK sings the men's Christian names NOT their surnames. Now on memorials I've seen whether here in the UK or throughout Europe they only have an initial and Surname so this explains to me that MK is saying how well these Men were known in this say Village..so I'm not convinced the names were on a memorial but in fellow villagers minds..if you know what I'm trying to say?!
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Love Expresso on December 14, 2021, 02:53:47 PM
I think I understand and it's a good observation about the names. I realized I obviously mixed up lyrics with interviews as I pretty clearly remember MK saying that in more or less every or at least a lot of  British towns there is a monument in the city center with the names of all these young men and it occurred to me that he somehow made a connection from the happy day's Maypole to the sad remembrance monument.
Very moving and touching lyrics although very British themed in a way. As a German, we of course relate to the First World War but not so especially with this special date 11.11. Also to let a children choir sing must have been a bold discussion during production.

LE
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: dustyvalentino on December 14, 2021, 03:43:47 PM
Yes, basically every town, even small villages.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on December 14, 2021, 04:13:24 PM
Yes, basically every town, even small villages.

Indeed Dusty, War memorials are everywhere....
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on December 14, 2021, 04:15:31 PM
I think I understand and it's a good observation about the names. I realized I obviously mixed up lyrics with interviews as I pretty clearly remember MK saying that in more or less every or at least a lot of  British towns there is a monument in the city center with the names of all these young men and it occurred to me that he somehow made a connection from the happy day's Maypole to the sad remembrance monument.
Very moving and touching lyrics although very British themed in a way. As a German, we of course relate to the First World War but not so especially with this special date 11.11. Also to let a children choir sing must have been a bold discussion during production.

LE

I quite agree with you, much thought must have taken place to use a Childrens Choir. Personally I think using the children to sing makes the track all the more powerful and what a fitting tribute this track is to the fallen.....

Even more powerful was witnessing the song being played/mimed Live at Trafalgar Square on the 11/11/2009 - Something that I or my wife will ever forget.....
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on December 14, 2021, 05:45:12 PM
"One thought I will share is that MK sings the men's Christian names NOT their surnames"

A very interesting observation.

Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Robson on December 14, 2021, 05:47:42 PM
The choir of children on Remembrance Day is touching for me. With the hope that the new and young generations will remember.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: dmg on December 15, 2021, 01:30:30 PM
Yes, basically every town, even small villages.

Indeed Dusty, War memorials are everywhere....

I believe per head of population Scotland had more participants in both wars hence the number of memorials down to every small village.  The main one is at Edinburgh Castle which has every single name listed in a shrine placed onto the rock on which the Castle stands.  The building contains carved bronzes and memorial windows to the various services involved and was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer who was also commissioned for many of the memorials in towns and villages and also churches and large organisations, who also listed those who fell. He also designed some memorials abroad and I believe the one in Plymouth.

I discovered an interesting one by Lorimer in the historic Advocates Library in Edinburgh which lists full names of those who left the Library never to return:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davids_leicas/15191661708/in/photolist-24xKCp4-DTSH4t-C3x7aw-Z5nknm-XhTB4b-RTn42U-Nuu4Cv-MCca11-MfWLrY-NawmdE-MWytHU-M33DK6-MxunKG-SVyw51-NVmp1f-B1mZMc-xCXj2N-vuztKP-rZeg2c-vDduoU-rwgepB-rhHk1g-ru5pAh-reViVp-reV6Bg-rwn2Tc-qF1MGC-pQK5g5-p9reKS-dkK3ur-brCbN1-aLaGKe-21KfFqu-CR1r8S-CJKiYY-Vf2iHN-TKFq9U-TrnjqD-LWwrhY-GK5dtV-HCpPuo-G75uM5-Go1RYN-GndFNd-DxDHg5-xYVwN4-wyiGcR-xdFe7T-wsm1Lb-f3UZgV







Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 15, 2024, 08:12:46 PM
"One thought I will share is that MK sings the men's Christian names NOT their surnames"

A very interesting observation.

I guess that is a nod to the small villages especially post war where everyone would know each other by Christian name.
Title: Re: (08) Remembrance Day 5.05
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 15, 2024, 08:14:11 PM
The choir of children on Remembrance Day is touching for me. With the hope that the new and young generations will remember.

Brilliant, just brilliant...