Last post

[Ian Adrian Millar]

LAST POST

There's a haunting strain of music,
Gently wafting on the breeze,
Flowing softly cross the schoolyard,
Gently stirring springtime leaves.

It's an eerie tune, that melody,
But a knowing schoolboy said,
It's the tune the British bugler sounds,
When calling back the dead.

And there some gray-haired soldiers stand,
The notes paused, then passed them by,
And ambled down a country lane,
To a field where comrades lie.

And in that field where poppies bloom,
The tune echoes from each stone,
As it gently rises skyward,
Calling Britain's soldiers home.

And there some gray-haired soldiers stare,
Across the field, too moved to speak,
For the haunting tune has touched their soul,
And placed a tear upon their cheek.

Ah! yes it is an eerie tune,
But a knowing schoolboy said,
It's the tune the British bugler sounds,
When calling back their dead.

Ian Adrian Millar

For Great Uncle George, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1914-18

[Keith at Tregenna]

The "Last Post" is a bugle call used at British or Commonwealth military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in war. The Last Post symbolises the duty of the dead is over and they can rest in peace.

"The Rouse" is commonly played following "Last Post". The bugle call rouses the living back to duty, after having paid respects to the memory of their comrades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2weDBlOTgmo

[Ian Adrian Millar]

Up in Cape Breton we often have the addition of Flowers O' The Forest played by a piper. Here in America it has become common to have a piper play the hymn Amazing Grace. As you may know in the USA the bugle call used is known as taps played for military veterans which dates back to the Civil War. Anyway to remember those who served to keep us free is what is important.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Much here will differ this year, this year's event will be on a much smaller scale than normal, with the Cenotaph ceremony usually attended by senior politicians and the royal family, along with around 10,000 veterans and members of the public.

Only 25 sailors and marines will be taking part in the Whitehall parade - a reduced number in order to meet Government restrictions - with five buglers and a Corps Bugle Major from Royal Marines Band Portsmouth.

"We shall remember them"

WE'LL STILL REMEMBER Remembrance Sunday at Cenotaph to be closed to public for first time in 100 years:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/129377...aph-100-years/

ADDED: A special collaboration between the Military Wives Choirs and Westminster City Council to commemorate one of the most poignant centenaries of World War One: the burial of the Unknown Warrior. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J-o...4KZiWTD-abQP54
.

[happy daze john in oz]

I have a friend in Texas, write music for some of the TV shows and plays the Bag pipes.
Always kept busy playing them at weddings, Funerals etc, get to play at a lot of Armed service funerals, appears to be a very popular form of tribute.