Remembering World War I, 100 Years Later
Sunday 11th November 2018, marks one hundred years since the hostilities of the First World War were formally ended, with the German signing of the Armistice coming into effect at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918 (Paris time).
The one hundred year anniversary has been marked with many special remembrance programs on the television over the past few weeks, with so many stories of the First World War shared from families, of death and trauma, as well as tales of love, mischief and happiness that have been passed down through the years.
Perhaps like Joy and I, you have watched some of those programs, along with listening to some of the radio shows on RUSC, such as Armistice Day, and another we listened to last night called Dear Yesterday.
Dear Yesterday is a show from The Railroad Hour. It is set in the year 1918 and opens with the song 'Pack Up Your Troubles in an Old Kit Bag' and includes other war time songs such as 'Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning', and 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary'.
‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ is the song I always associate with World War I, and is perhaps the best known song of the War. It was written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams, with the former rumored to have been challenged to write a song overnight for a bet, and so converted an existing song by the duo, called ‘It’s a Long Way to Connemara’.
Regardless, the song was a hit and was soon recorded by a famous singer. It was universally known, becoming popular with soldiers across the world, like those of the Connaught Rangers Regiment who were heard singing it as they marched through Boulogne, in August 1914, and even German soldiers who used to sing it in translation.
I think perhaps the song was so well received as it was unlike those from earlier wars, and instead of urging soldiers to win personal glory through heroic deeds, instead it focused on home and longing for loved ones.
The original pre-war song was inspired by the homesickness experienced by Irish expatriates, who came to work in England in great numbers from the Victorian period onwards. In it, the narrator Paddy’s girlfriend Molly threatens to marry another suitor called ‘Mike Malone’ instead, if he does not come home soon.
During the First World War, soldiers identified with the song’s theme of being far from home and loved ones - with the journey from the training camps to the trenches being just as long as the journey from Tipperary to London - and the sense of upheaval being just as great.
If you'd like to listen to other songs to remember those days lest we forget, Joy has added several World War I Songs to RUSC which are available to listen to today.
And of course, there is the World at War Radio Station available on RUSC - a poignant selection of old time radio shows to remind us of the courage and bravery of the fighting men and women who have served in the conflicts of the past century.
