From: Peter Twydell

(Where did it get so famous, either? I remember hearing "Lest We
Forget" a lot around 11/11...But have never understood why.

The words are from a poem by Lawrence Binyon: For the fallen

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWbinyon.htm


No, they are not, although that poem contains some memorable and oft repeated
lines.
The lines are in fact from Kipling (of course!). His "Recessional" of 1897:

God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle line--
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies--
The Captains and the Kings depart--
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice.
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away--
On dune and headland sinks the fire--
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in
awe--
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
or lesser breeds without the Law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
in reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen

As you can see the poem is really not about remembering fallen war dead, but
is, as it is subtitled, "A Victorian Ode," a warning to Britain at her height.

Binyon's poem is much more apt and fitting for Nov. 11 observances, although it
does not contain that famous "Lest we forget."


Chris Mark