Time to remember.
On my day off, I'm going to clean my house, walk the dog, organize some closets and take advantage of the extra time at home. I will not, however take for granted the freedom that allows me to do that. In half an hour, I will sit down with my kids and be silent for two minutes.
In Flanders Fields may be the poem most associated with Nov. 11, but I always think of this one.
Tender Comrade by Billy Bragg
What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade
When we lay down our weary guns
When we return home to our wives and families
And look into the eyes of our sons
What will you say of the bond we had, tender comrade
Will you say that we were brave
As the shells fell all around us
Or that we wept and cried for our mothers
And cursed our fathers
For forgetting that all men are brothers
Will you say that we were heroes
Or that fear of dying among strangers
Tore our innocence and false shame away
And from that moment on deep in my heart I knew
That I would only give my life for love
Brothers in arms in each other arms
Was the only time that I was not afraid
What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade
When we cast off these khaki clothes
And go our separate ways
What will you say of the bond we had
Tender comrade
I've loved Billy Bragg for more than 25 years now. He has a horrible voice, and his guitar playing was really bad back then, but he can still move me with his words.
In Flanders Fields may be the poem most associated with Nov. 11, but I always think of this one.
Tender Comrade by Billy Bragg
What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade
When we lay down our weary guns
When we return home to our wives and families
And look into the eyes of our sons
What will you say of the bond we had, tender comrade
Will you say that we were brave
As the shells fell all around us
Or that we wept and cried for our mothers
And cursed our fathers
For forgetting that all men are brothers
Will you say that we were heroes
Or that fear of dying among strangers
Tore our innocence and false shame away
And from that moment on deep in my heart I knew
That I would only give my life for love
Brothers in arms in each other arms
Was the only time that I was not afraid
What will you do when the war is over, tender comrade
When we cast off these khaki clothes
And go our separate ways
What will you say of the bond we had
Tender comrade
I've loved Billy Bragg for more than 25 years now. He has a horrible voice, and his guitar playing was really bad back then, but he can still move me with his words.