13 Comments
User's avatar
Rachel's avatar

Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day.

Rachel's avatar
7dEdited

Those who engage in these modern re-writes of poems and hymns (also literature deconstruction/reinterpretation) have no respect for context and original intent of the author. They're only interested in THEIR in intent and have the arrogance to think they're version with they're message is superior or more enlightening. In this way, they steal the property if others and deny the modern listener of the truth of what the author was trying to say as well as the grave historical context which compelled the author to put pen to paper in the first place. The opportunity of the question: "Why die to make men free?" is also denied to the listener of the modern version.

Luvloro's avatar

100%. This is fundamental. Israel is not stopping in Lebanon. We are out of alignment with our greatest ally. I hope Rubio can press upon the President the obvious choice to continue. I’m very disappointed.

Bob P.'s avatar

Outstanding Erick!

Just what I needed today. 🇺🇸

Drake Monty's avatar

Glory, glory, Hallelujah!!!

Linda Gray's avatar

Late to the table. Thank you.

We have sung this in church. It’s a hymn.

Stop trying to take Jesus Christ out of our lives.

Today is a day of remembrance of all the sacrifices and honor those that made them.

Diane's avatar

And I’m sure the modern version was done purposefully to make it seem less…

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

David's avatar

I believe 11-11-1918 was first called “Armistice Day.”

K Tucker Andersen's avatar

🙏🙏🙏 Agree, cannot understand why people change that line from “Let us die to make men free “, write your own song if you do not like Julia Ward Howe’s, don’t pervert her meaning and sentiment. It might have been worth mentioning the circumstances under which she composed it. She and her husband were visiting one of the Civil War battlefields ( Appomattox if I remember correctly) and the soldiers were singing John Brown’s Body. Someone mentioned to her that the tune deserved better lyrics. She thought about it and composed these with the stub of a pencil she had. A copy of her original version still exists today. She sold it for $4 to the Atlantic Magazine where it was first published.

Sandra Webb's avatar

A beautiful song that brings me to tears every time I hear it. Thank you, Eric.

Jack DeSantis's avatar

Thank you for Posting the song, when I was young we sang it all the time. My Grandfather was WW 1

Nancy Moore's avatar

Thank you Eric. How beautiful the message and how fortunate we all are in this country for all the sacrifices made for us- Christ on the cross and the many men and women that have given their lives that we may enjoy a better life. ❤️🙏