For Remembrance Sunday: I Vow to Thee My Country Video

This poem comes with much baggage, all of which can be found on the Net for those who are interested. It is one of the seminal hymn-poems of the British nation and should not be allowed to fade away, which is why I am reading it here. Our heritage is to be honoured, not reviled as has been the fashion over the last few decades. Mercifully, the tide is now rapidly turning and we can celebrate what we were and are.

FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY:

IN MEMORIAM PETER FRANK HENRY KINGMAN

Urbs Dei or The Two Fatherlands
by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice (1859-1918)

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

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.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

Save & Share:

1zangelique: Beautiful Charles! Very stirring, as always! Thanks so much--It's a shame that we have to be reminded that the soil we tread upon unthinking has been paid for with the lives and sacrifices of so many. Your poetry does much to keep this appreciation alive~~ (First to rate/post!) Much love, Gare

eutuve: Si sta, come d'Autunno sugli alberi le foglie ** we cling as in autumn to the branches the leaves ** Soldiers (G: Ungaretti )

keanghiero: Nice 5* All the best Kean

tenneral: Great video: and thank you for including the second verse which I had never heard before - thanks to the popularity of the hymn version.

StudioResurrezione1: Fabulous production, we will never forget those who have been lost protecting us from tyrants and sadly our work continues today! CliveXX

anglicansag: You've made this American cry on your behalf and on behalf of The Fallen. We Must Always Remember. ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙ ✙

brychar66: You'll appreciate this note about the hymn, from Wikipedia, Michael: In August 2004, the Right Reverend Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, called for it not to be used in Church of England services, calling it "totally heretical" God bless the Bishop of Hulme - not!

brychar66: You have a kind and true Anglican heart beating in your American breast Scott! xxx

teamdeaf: A beautiful and moving poem, Charles. Very fitting to read it on Rememberance Sunday, to remind us all of what so many have fought and died for. Thank you for sharing it with us today.

sabhti: FANTASTICO!!!... POEMA Y MUSICA. 5*

superdooperstupor: Dear Charles, A stirring poem and poignant reading. You have a faithful heart and steadfast loyalty that forever shine with gentleness and peace, and the grace and gratitude of remembrance.Thank you. Kestal

PoetLina: Just love belting this out as one of a congregation large enough so that my voice and my inevitable tears at the end go quietly unnoticed.

autumn1942: A splendid production, Charles! "Lest We Forget". Thank you.

loveyoutodeathbut: You wring so much passion out of these words. It was exceptional, thank you!

andrewnorris1: This was the only hymn we sung at school which touched something deep inside me, it still stirs profound memories whenever I hear it, memories that go way beyond my youth.

Contrappunto: I am also touched by this reading and setting, as I am by the meaningful work of Charles Bryant, tasteful and redolent of ancient beauty. Dare I ask if he has a view on 'liberal' Anglicanism?

Author: brychar66; Uploaded: Nov 8, 2009; Duration: 4:36; Views: 737

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