Memorial Day is when we remember those who died in active military service.
Regardless of the nation served, the sacrifice is real and the struggles of servicemember and loved ones are universal.
Loreena McKennitt’s new album “lost souls” contains a powerful song inspired by the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Breaking of the Sword is one of the statues at the Vimy Memorial.
Our friends to the North, the RCAF, produced a beautiful video of the song, and the sentiments are universal. She is accompanied by Ian Harper on Great Highland Bagpipes, the Canadian Forces Central Band, and the Stratford Concert Choir:
“Breaking of the Sword”
On a sunny April morning
My dear son, you were born
Until one day you were called away
And from my heart was torn
As a boy, you knew the stables
As a lad, you knew the fields
My son, you worked beside me
But to country, you must yield
You were called to serve the country
You were called to serve the king
And from our home, you left one day
And of this, today I sing
When I stood there at the station
And our eyes, one last time met
It was at that moment, my dear son
‘Tis that I’ll ne’er forget
Is it now a mother’s blessing
That the country’s truly free?
You gave your life for all of us
And all humanity
As I stand here at your graveside
The spring birds sing their song
My child, I love you more and more
And will my whole life long
You were called to serve the country
You were called to serve the king
And from our home, you left one day
And of this, today we sing
Dispatches from the Imperial Capital 