General Debate ANZAC Day 2010

Lest we forget

Like this:

Like Loading...

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment23

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (23)

Login to comment or vote

Falafulu Fisi

Interteresting story from the 1980s (a music producer and an 80s Tongan teen-pop group).

————————————————————————————————
Written by Rupert Holmes, who is known for his hit “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” but has also written many other songs and had tremendous success writing plays, including The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, which won 5 Tony awards. He has also written a novel called Where The Truth Lies.

Holmes: “I was busy on Broadway with The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, that just won all the Tony awards. My manager knew a fellow who had this act, this family group from the isle of Tonga. I said, ‘Is there really an isle of Tonga? I thought that was a made up thing from King Kong movies.’ He said ‘There really is a place called Tonga, and they’re from there. They do this sweet act, they sing and do Hawaiian fire dances, things like that, and they’re really nice kids.’ I said, ‘Kids? How Old?’ He said, ‘Oh, 14, 15, 16.’ He said, ‘You’ve been Mr. Theater for the last year, would you do me a favor and write them a song? They’ve got some good dance stuff, but they need a ballad, a love song.’ I said, ‘Who’s going to sing it?’ and he said, ‘The one with the nicest voice is the girl singer, she’s 14.’ I thought writing a love song for a 14-year-old girl would be tough because some of my lyrics used to be about some pretty strange characters. I thought it would be a challenge to see if I can write a love song that sounds appropriate sung by a 14-year-old girl. This was before we had all the Britneys, Mandy Moores, and all these teen stars. I purposely tried to write a very clear, simple, unaffected lyric that would have a little lilt to it, that would be a positive song for a young girl getting over her first heartbreak. Letting her know that this boy she just lost, or who didn’t treat her appreciatively, was not going to be the only boy she’d ever have as a boyfriend. I also wrote it thinking of my daughter who was at that time 10 years old. I thought maybe it would be a song she would enjoy and be fun to hear with her friends and say ‘My father wrote that.'”

The Jets first single was “Crush On You,” which hit #3 in the US. This was released as their second single.

Britney Spears recorded this in 1998. It was released as part of her CD single “Baby One More Time.” This gives Rupert Holmes the distinction of writing songs that have been recorded by Barbra Streisand and Britney Spears. As Rupert points out, that’s a lot of B.S.

This went to #3 on the Pop chart, #2 on the R&B chart and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Holmes: “The sad part of the story is that I don’t remember anything about it being a hit because before the record came out, my 10 year old daughter died. It was very painful for me because when it was a hit record, I realized she would have loved to have gone to see the group sing the song and gone backstage, and that never happened. I don’t really recall anything that happened around the time it was a hit because it took me about 2 years to come out of shock and be able do things like work. I did things that I had to do, like supervise the London production of The Mystery Of Edwin Drood and things that I knew how to do almost on autopilot. They asked me to write more songs for them, and I wrote a couple later on, but it was just really hard. It was wonderful to have a hit, but it was at a terrible time in my life. It was heartbreak for me because it’s the song that my daughter never got to hear as a hit record. I think she would have really liked it because she could have heard herself in the song. Maybe there were other 10 year old girls that heard it and liked it.” (Thanks to Rupert Holmes for speaking with us about this song. To learn more about Rupert, check out http://www.rupertholmes.com.)

———————————————–

The orginal MCA video is here:

– You Got it all (1985 MCA record original video)

and the recent 25th anniversary concert about 2 weeks ago, Elisapeti Wolfgramm sang it perfectly again here (she was only 12 at the time – of the recording – 1985):

– You Got it all (9th April – 2010)

I enjoyed this concert (a couple of weeks ago) very much.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:17am
Falafulu Fisi

Correct link for You Got It All (2010 – 25th anniversary reunion concert)
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:22am
cha

From Hubble, an image of the Carina Nebula.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:33am
s.russell

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

– Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:37am
Pete George

More Hubble, a major 20 year achievement overcoming a serious fault.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100424-hubble-telescope-20th-anniversary-pictures/#hubble-cloudy-nebula-ngc-602_19426_600x450.jpg
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:41am
Dave Mann

I am absolutely staggered that you have not written anything at all today about ANZAC Day, DPF.

It is up to s.russell (bless him/her) to at least acknowlege the sacrifices that this day commemorates (and this for the British). His was the the fourth comment of the day.

Shame.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:47am
Pete George

Dave, there is so much broadcast and written about Anzac Day. It isn’t compulsory to be a part of that, I don’t think it’s disrespectful to keep it private. I reflect a lot but don’t feel there is much I can add to it publicly.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:53am
LeftRightOut

So dave, where’s YOUR post on the topic? Mine can be seen at http://leftrightout.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/reflections-on-april25/
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:55am
cha

THE YOUNG BRITISH SOLDIER

When the ‘arf-made recruity goes out to the East
‘E acts like a babe an’ ‘e drinks like a beast,
An’ ‘e wonders because ‘e is frequent deceased
   Ere ‘e’s fit for to serve as a soldier.

    Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
    Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
    Serve, serve, serve as a soldier,
         So-oldier
~OF~ the Queen!

Now all you recruities what’s drafted to-day,
You shut up your rag-box an’ ‘ark to my lay,
An’ I’ll sing you a soldier as far as I may:
   A soldier what’s fit for a soldier.
    Fit, fit, fit for a soldier . . .

First mind you steer clear o’ the grog-sellers’ huts,
For they sell you Fixed Bay’nets that rots out your guts —
Ay, drink that ‘ud eat the live steel from your butts —
   An’ it’s bad for the young British soldier.
    Bad, bad, bad for the soldier . . .

When the cholera comes — as it will past a doubt —
Keep out of the wet and don’t go on the shout,
For the sickness gets in as the liquor dies out,
   An’ it crumples the young British soldier.
    Crum-, crum-, crumples the soldier . . .

But the worst o’ your foes is the sun over’ead:
You ~must~ wear your ‘elmet for all that is said:
If ‘e finds you uncovered ‘e’ll knock you down dead,
   An’ you’ll die like a fool of a soldier.
    Fool, fool, fool of a soldier . . .

If you’re cast for fatigue by a sergeant unkind,
Don’t grouse like a woman nor crack on nor blind;
Be handy and civil, and then you will find
   That it’s beer for the young British soldier.
    Beer, beer, beer for the soldier . . .

Now, if you must marry, take care she is old —
A troop-sergeant’s widow’s the nicest I’m told,
For beauty won’t help if your rations is cold,
   Nor love ain’t enough for a soldier.
    ‘Nough, ‘nough, ‘nough for a soldier . . .

If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath
To shoot when you catch ’em — you’ll swing, on my oath! —
Make ‘im take ‘er and keep ‘er:  that’s Hell for them
both,
   An’ you’re shut o’ the curse of a soldier.
    Curse, curse, curse of a soldier . . .

When first under fire an’ you’re wishful to duck,
Don’t look nor take ‘eed at the man that is struck,
Be thankful you’re livin’, and trust to your luck
   And march to your front like a soldier.
    Front, front, front like a soldier . . .

When ‘arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch,
Don’t call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch;
She’s human as you are — you treat her as sich,
   An’ she’ll fight for the young British soldier.
    Fight, fight, fight for the soldier . . .

When shakin’ their bustles like ladies so fine,
The guns o’ the enemy wheel into line,
Shoot low at the limbers an’ don’t mind the shine,
   For noise never startles the soldier.
    Start-, start-, startles the soldier . . .

If your officer’s dead and the sergeants look white,
Remember it’s ruin to run from a fight:
So take open order, lie down, and sit tight,
   And wait for supports like a soldier.
    Wait, wait, wait like a soldier . . .

When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
   An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.
    Go, go, go like a soldier,

    Go, go, go like a soldier,
    Go, go, go like a soldier,
         So-oldier
~of~ the Queen!
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 10:57am
Sonny Blount

I am absolutely staggered that you have not written anything at all today about ANZAC Day, DPF.

It is up to s.russell (bless him/her) to at least acknowlege the sacrifices that this day commemorates (and this for the British). His was the the fourth comment of the day.

Shame.

Its Anzac day, not act like a jerk day Dave.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 11:29am
Inventory2

Here’s our reflection today

http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/04/lest-we-forget-25-april-2010.html
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 11:31am
Brian Smaller

As I am out in the countryside, and working, I was unable to get to a Dawn Service this year.

Here is my Dad’s citation, and some of the reasons why I have such respect for all soldiers who fought for our country.

“On the night of 13/14th paril 1945 during an attack towards the Sillaro River, a communications failure resulted in L/Cpl Smaller’s platoon being caught on a stopbank by fire from our own artillery. To this peril was added the heavy counter-fire of the enemy so that in the area in which the platoon was located the shelling was extremely heavy. Two half sections were extricated and brought back to safety, although the shelling was now intense. L/Cpl Smaller volunteered to go forward and lead in the remaining half sections. This he did and his complete disregard for the danger involved was a magnificent demonstration of bravery under fire. When word was received that two badly wounded men were still on the stopbank, L/Cpl Smaller immediately led other volunteers forward and returned with the wounded. On both occasions the danger to his own life was considerable but for this he showed a complete disreagard in order that the sefety of his companions might be ensured. The gallantry that L/Cpl Smaller showed was of the fienst quality. Because of this and his competent leadership of his section in every subsequent engagement wit the enemy he served as an example and an inspiration to the men of his company.”

That tells only a bit of the story of that night. Dad’s platoon commander, Lt Keith Cave died saving his men by blocking a hole in the wall of a house they were sheltering in with his own body and was riddled with shell fragments when another shell burst outside. Privates Arthur Sirret and Jimmy Luddle were killed by single shell that landed between them while the crewed the section bren gun. Dad was wounded in the head by a piece of shell fragment that tore through his helmet and gouged a hole in his head. The dead of Dad’s platoon who were killed that night are buried in the Faenza War Cemetary in Italy and I have been to their graves five times now. According to Dad, it was Lt Cave who should have got the medal. I have never met a single veteran who was decorated for bravery who didn’t say that better men than them deserved it more.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 11:50am
Inventory2

Brian – thank you for sharing that
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 12:11pm
cha

My uncle, Leading Signalman Campbell Howard Buchanan, Navy Cross (US)

In the action that followed Kiwi forced the submarine to surface with depth charges. On
the surface the submarine tried to use its deck gun as well as small arms fire to attack Kiwi
which engaged the Japanese primarily with its 20 mm bow mounted Oerlikon gun. Moa
also engaged the submarine by illuminating the target with ‘star shell’ and after Kiwi was
forced to disengage, by using its 4 inch gun. Kiwi was to ram I-1 three times (not two as in
the citation), causing considerable structural damage to the submarine but also to Kiwi’s
bow which forced this ship to disengage from the action. Pursued by Moa, the I-1 now
unable to submerge tried to escape by sailing close to the shore of Guadalcanal in an
attempt to hide within the enhanced darkness created by the rugged coastline. This proved
futile when the submarine grounded on a coral reef and became a total wreck.
Campbell Buchanan’s action station was to man the searchlight and signalling lamp. The
searchlight kept the submarine visible to those on Kiwi and Moa, but also had the effect of
being a target point for Japanese gun and small-arms fire. Mortally wounded Campbell
Buchanan stayed at his post until officially relieved from his place of duty.

A significant postscript to this action concerned Japanese naval codes. After the Battle of
Midway (3-6 June 1942), senior IJN officers knew their military codes used in radio
communications had been compromised

US Navy Cross awarded to Leading Signalman Campbell Howard Buchanan
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 12:17pm
Dave Mann

LeftRightOut, I do not have my own blog….. but I had previously sent a few images and commentary to Peter Cresswell after reading what he had written and he has kindly published it on his blog, which you can see here:

http://pc.blogspot.com/

As you see, I was very moved by Ataturk’s memorial too – but not to the extent that I would vilify the whole of the ANZAC spirit and their sacrifices.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 12:23pm
LeftRightOut

It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory which stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts, and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and country, and invoked the God of Battles beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpourings of fervid eloquence which moved every listener. It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety’s sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way.

Sunday morning came — next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams — visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender! Then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the noblest of noble deaths. The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation

*God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest! Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!*
Then came the “long” prayer. None could remember the like of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory —

An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher’s side and stood there waiting. With shut lids the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued with his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, “Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord our God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!”

The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside — which the startled minister did — and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes, in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said:

“I come from the Throne — bearing a message from Almighty God!” The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. “He has heard the prayer of His servant your shepherd, and will grant it if such shall be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import — that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of — except he pause and think.

“God’s servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two — one uttered, the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him Who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this — keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain upon your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse upon some neighbor’s crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it.

“You have heard your servant’s prayer — the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it — that part which the pastor — and also you in your hearts — fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: ‘Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!’ That is sufficient. the *whole* of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory–*must* follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!

“O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle — be Thou near them! With them — in spirit — we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it — for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

(*After a pause.*) “Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!”

It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.

Mark Twain, “The war prayer”
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 12:33pm
cha

My uncle Campbell, aged 22, rests at BOURAIL along with my uncle Christopher aged 25.

My uncle Brian, aged 21, rests in spirit at the MALTA MEMORIAL
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 12:34pm
Jack5

Change of topic for a minute…

Did anyone hear Colin Espiner on Radio Labour’s media programme this morning? He seemed to suggest that the MSM own blog sites were winning big audiences.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 1:20pm
Banana Llama

WOW!

What a Beautiful picture Cha thank you for sharing it.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 3:49pm
Viking2

Change of subject for moment.

Looks like th Aussie Treasurer has been Talking to Roger. Now this will get Blenglish in a tither.
Treasurer Wayne Swan signals simplicity in Henry review

* From: AAP
* April 25, 2010 1:35PM

WITH more than 70 per cent of Australians using a tax agent to prepare their tax returns shows the system is far too complex and needs to be simplified, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Mr Swan said the upcoming and long awaited Henry tax review, set to be released next Sunday, would aim to make the system simpler and fairer.

Speaking from Washington, he said there had been no comprehensive review of the tax system for 35 years so it was about time.

“We need to have a mature discussion about this fundamental review because the economy is going to be different as we move forward. We’ve got to modernise our economy but we have to make our tax system fairer and we have to make it simpler,” he said on Sky News.

“For example over 70 per cent of Australians seek the assistance of an accountant or a tax professional simply to fill out their tax return. That means the system is simply too complex for people.”

Mr Swan declined to speculate on possible content of the review, conducted by Treasury Secretary Ken Henry.

“But in terms of our initial response next Sunday we’ll be focusing on making it fairer and making it simpler,” he said.

Mr Swan did say much of what had been written about a proposed federal resources rent tax on the mining industry was inaccurate.

“What I would say to all of those that are concerned about the review – wait for the full publication of the review. Let’s take our time to discuss it maturely,” he said.

“Let’s not have hysterical short term reactions to speculation which is probably inaccurate in the press.”

Mr Swan said he had assured the states they would be no worse off under any of the changes stemming from the review.

“What we’re getting is a look at the tax system which is really about the decades ahead. It’s not about the next 10 months. It’s more about the next 10 years,” he said.

Mr Swan said some things could be done in the near future while others would warrant extensive discussion.

“And of course there’ll be some things that many won’t agree with and there’ll be some things that the government won’t agree with either,” he said.

AAP
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 4:44pm
Viking2

and some more. INCLUDING TAX CUTS as PROMISED.

Budget won’t have Howard style handouts

* From: AAP
* April 25, 2010 8:43AM

THE Federal Budget to be handed down on May 11 won’t be full of John Howard-style election year handouts, Treasurer Wayne Swan said today.

THE Federal Budget to be handed down on May 11 won’t be full of John Howard-style election year handouts, Treasurer Wayne Swan said today.

Mr Swan said the Government had already legislated for tax cuts which would come into effect from July 1.

“But you’re right this is not going to be some John Howard pre-election budget full of handouts,” he told Sky News.

“Tax cuts will be delivered as was promised. What we will be focusing on is important long term reform such as health reform but we will do that within our strict fiscal rules.”

Mr Swan said the Government had a proven record of finding savings of over $56 billion in the past two budgets.

“There’ll be further savings in this budget as well because we are serious about implementing our strict fiscal rules which put a two per cent cap on spending,” he said.
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 4:46pm
Viking2

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/greens-mp-adele-carles-confesses-to-secret-affair-with-troy-buswell/story-e6frg12c-1225857829924
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 4:58pm
Tonimarie

Cha
Just wondering what your relation to Campbell Buchanan is. From what i know Campbell is my Grandmothers Christina.
I have not ever been told much on him so i am searching today.\
Cheers
0 0
Log in to Reply
Report
April 25, 2010 9:00pm