As we all know music is a powerful tool! It can take us to a certain period of our life within seconds and kindle strong emotions both positive and negative. In our blog this week we wanted to share two songs which always makes both of us at Solway Tours reflect on the devastating impact that World War One had on so many communities across the world. Both No Mans Land and the Band Played Waltzing Matilda were written by Eric Bogle. Bogle was a Scottish-Australian folk singer who was brought up in Peebles in the Scottish Borders before emigrating to Australia in 1969.
No Mans Land also known as the Green Fields of France tells the story of a young man named Willie McBride being cut down in his prime and refers to both the Last Post and the Flowers of the Forest within the song. This version is sung by English folk singer June Tabor and this is our favourite version along with the original by Eric Bogle.
And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda was written in 1971 and it tells the story that the Battle of Gallipoli had on the ANZACs. The song has a focus on one young soldier who has been maimed and is considering his role in the conflict. This version is sung by the Irish/London based folk/punk band the Pogues who were famed for their incredible live performances.
Both these are songs that we play while on our battlefields tour and there are still places on our fantastic five day tour on 4th-8th April 2016. Deadline for booking is January 30th so please get in touch at beinspired@solwaytours.co.uk if you would like any more information or check out the link below.
www.solwaytours.co.uk/battlefields/tour