# In Flanders Fields **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 24, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751 "2015-05-24T22:30:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/1 "2015-05-24T22:30:35Z")
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/2 "2015-05-24T22:50:54Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Take up our quarrel with the foe:… I think I see the problem. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/3 "2015-05-25T00:23:29Z")
For what its worth, I’ll throw in a thanks. A toast to you, **Lamar**. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/4 "2015-05-25T02:07:49Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I think I see the problem. Sneak home and pray you’ll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/5 "2015-05-25T02:10:51Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I think I see the problem. On the plus side, World War I solved the German issue and they were never a problem again. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/6 "2015-05-25T02:14:37Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > On the plus side, World War I solved the German issue and they were never a problem again. What a mensch! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/7 "2015-05-25T02:30:16Z")
Is this poem well known outside of Canada? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/8 "2015-05-25T02:34:54Z")
Why are you posting it today? It’s not November. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/9 "2015-05-25T02:38:22Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why are you posting it today? It’s not November. > > 😕 Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the US. It is a day to honor The dead soldiers, which what the poem is about. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/10 "2015-05-25T02:45:12Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why are you posting it today? It’s not November. > > 😕 **Memorial Day** - To remember those who served in the military and are now dead. \*\*Veteran’s Day \*\*- To acknowledge those who served and are still alive. **Armed Forces Day** - To recognize those who are currently in the military. And, yes, the poem is well known outside of Canada. I have a penpal in Singapore who is fond of it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/11 "2015-05-25T02:45:54Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the US. It is a day to honor The dead soldiers, which what the poem is about. Don’t forget the part about making new dead soldiers. ☹ The poem has always choked me up, but I cannot separate the homage to the dead from the other theme of recruitment to the senseless meatgrinder that was the Western Front. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/12 "2015-05-25T03:01:31Z")
If I may add another poem, I’ve always found this one more in line with how soon we forget…and what and whom we should remember: > [@](#): > > PILE the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo. > Shovel them under and let me work— > I am the grass; I cover all. > > And pile them high at Gettysburg > And pile them high at Ypres and Verdun. > Shovel them under and let me work. > Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor: > What place is this? > Where are we now? > > ``` > I am the grass. > Let me work. > > ``` > > CARL SANDBERG ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/13 "2015-05-25T03:31:20Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the US. It is a day to honor The dead soldiers, which what the poem is about. And… coincidentally (I think) tomorrow’s the 100th anniversary of the end of the Second Battle of Ypres, which is the battle that McCrae wrote his poem during (earlier in the month, but same battle). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/14 "2015-05-25T04:23:12Z")
Here’s another good one: [http://www.uky.edu/KentuckyCulture/bivouac.html](http://www.uky.edu/KentuckyCulture/bivouac.html) Or consider the epitaph at Thermopylae: _Tell them in Sparta, passerby, that here, obedient to their law, we lie._ ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/15 "2015-05-25T04:30:01Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > On the plus side, World War I solved the German issue and they were never a problem again. You’ve been listening to your old Tom Lehrer albums again? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/16 "2015-05-25T04:43:20Z")
In memory of those that have served, and served their countries well, especially those who served with finality: Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunwards I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds – and done a thousand things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air, Up, up the long delirious burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never lark, or even eagle, flew; And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of god. (I have always associated this poem with the dead memorialized on this holiday, though I know that it was not written with such a purpose in mind. Yet, I always think of this work, as well as “touching the face of God,” today.) ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/17 "2015-05-25T17:48:41Z")
I’m a bugged that a poem inspired by the war dead from the second battle at Ypres is so popular in the US. Not a single soldier from the US fought in that battle. Not that you can’t appreciate moving writing but it seems a bit like cultural theft. WWI was a formative period for Canada, it was one our first big boy responsibilities, separate from mother England. To me, the poem always makes me think of a young mother (Canada) mourning the massive loss of her children before their time. The bloody thing is on our $10 bill, in part is the motto for the Canadiens hockey team, and has to be the single most read piece of literature in Canada. Just let us keep something so deeply personal instead of expropriating it for your own nationalistic uses. It would be almost akin to us using the words from the Star Spangled Banner to celebrate Canada day. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/18 "2015-05-25T17:56:36Z")
I had to memorize and recite that for school when I was 11. I thought it was twaddle then, and 42 years has not changed my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/19 "2015-05-25T18:16:25Z")
What a bunch of dickbags… ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751/20 "2015-05-25T18:22:04Z")
Oops, I guess I wasn’t supposed to say that. Apologies. I just recently buried an Uncle who served in three wars in a National Cemetery. One day out of the year and you can’t respect that. Jeez. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-flanders-fields/720751.md?page=2)