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macrusk

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at National Cenotaph Ottawa Ontario May 2007

In May 2000, the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in the First World War were repatriated from France and, with great ceremony, were buried in a special tomb in front of the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at National Cenotaph Ottawa Ontario May 2007
macrusk, May 27, 2008
    • macrusk
      Wasn't certain how to add this to the photo description, but found the following online at http://members.shaw.ca/tunebook/unknown_soldier.htm:

      The Return of the Unknown Soldier
      Music by Steve S. Kelly, 2001
      Lyrics and arrangement by Barry Taylor, 2004

      (Intro: Flowers of the Forest)

      When I was a boy I'd follow the band
      Pretending I was a soldier
      How could I foresee that a soldier I'd be
      When war's shadow spread o'er the land?

      We all joined as one, my buddies and me
      When the call came for men to go over
      We followed the band to a far foreign land
      What proud and brave soldiers were we!

      What's this sound that I hear, Boys?
      Danger drawing near!
      What's this place that I fear, Boys,
      Where shadowy darkness appears?

      They laid me to rest near the battlefield plain
      A piper played 'Flowers of the Forest'
      'Neath this soft grassy floor I shall sleep evermore
      To love and laugh never again.

      (Instrumental: Flowers of the Forest)

      For eighty long years in this flow'r covered bed
      'Known unto God' said my gravestone
      Few visitors came, and they knew not my name
      'Shed tears for my comrades instead.

      What's this sound that I hear, Boys?
      Footsteps drawing near!
      I'm being carried away, Boys,
      The end of my journey unclear.

      I hear tower bells ring and a children's choir sing
      The soldiers march past and salute me
      And I see the great crowd and the Maple Leaf proud
      Hey, Boys, I think I've come home!
      Hey, Boys, it's great to be home!

      Right-click here to download midi file

      In May of 2000, the remains of an unidentified
      Canadian soldier who died in WWI were repatriated
      from France and buried in a specially-designed
      sarcophagus directly in front of the War Memorial in
      Ottawa, Canada. Steve Kelly, former Pipe Major
      and Regimental Sergeant Major of the Canadian
      Scottish Regiment, composed a lament for the pipes
      titled The Unknown Soldier to honour the young
      soldier. This song is a lyrical adaptation of that
      tune.

      Note to Performers: This song is royalty-free for
      performance, recording and publishing purposes,
      but an acknowledgement of authorship would be
      appreciated.
    • wtid45
      Great pics Michelle, I have been intrested in the Unknown soldier since doing a piece on it back in comprehensive school.The history of which is really intresting be it Great Britain, Canada or new zealand etc.
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    macrusk
    Date:
    May 27, 2008
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