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Reflections on War
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BOLD AS BRASS

 

Sat in your uniform looking real class
Striking a pose as bold as brass
You played a mean cornet in a military band
The finest sound in all of the land

 

The girls all adored you; it was always a lark
When the band came to play in Battersea Park
Dressed up smart, all polished and proud
Brassing it up, great tunes soaring loud

 

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound

 

An old photograph in sepia tones
Shows all of the boys in impeccable rows
Trombones and euphoniums, marching snares and bass drum
Cornets and tuba and a shield proudly won

 

For being the best, a mighty fine gang
All for one, one for all, when the instruments sang
But the day would soon come to pack them away
And march to a new beat as the war drums did play

 

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound

 

As the call went out, “there’s a war to be won”
Rifles and bayonets replaced cornets and drums
Down on the platform there was not a dry eye
As they wished you luck as they waved you goodbye

 

An artillery officer astride a fine horse
Twice gassed ’midst the carnage but you came home of course
No longer to blow so bold on your brass
With your lungs constricted by the harsh mustard gas

 

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound
And though sweet music fades, its memory flows
Are you playing in Heaven now God only knows?
As the angels sing when your cornet blows
I’ll be blowing your trumpet wherever I go

 

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(Gary Miller)

Inspired by the true story of Frederick Archibald Mill (1890-1985) who played cornet in a military band in Battersea prior to the outbreak of the First World War – when War was declared he signed on at Woolwich Barracks and was sent to France as a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery; while fighting at Ypres he suffered two attacks of mustard gas – and conversations with, and the writings of, Susan Elizabeth Elliot, his granddaughter.

Copyright © 2009 Gary Miller / Whippet Records

 

wptcd22 First release
Gary Miller ‘Reflections on War’
CD (WPTCD22)
2010