Goin' Home (Veterans Day)
The Largo movement of the New World Symphony (#9 in E minor, 1893), composed by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak(1841-1904) while visiting/teaching in America. The simple, moving words suggest this is a traditional Negro spiritual, but they were added in 1922 by William Arms Fisher(1861-1948), an American pupil of Dvorak.
I Vow To Thee, My Country (Veterans Day)
1908 poem by Sir Cecil Rice Spring, set by Gustav Holst to the "Jupiter" theme from his symphonic suite "The Planets" in 1921. A favorite patriotic hymn, it has been played at the funerals of the most notable British figures of the last century: Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana, Winston Churchill.
Keep The Home Fires Burning (Veterans Day)
Music by Ivor Novello, lyrics by American Lena Guilbert Ford, 1914. The British counterpart to America's WWI rallying cry, "Over There." This song's success brought money & fame to the 21 year old Welsh-born Novello(1893-1951), paving the way for major stardom on the British operetta stage, silent films (including a few early Hitchcock thrillers) and sound pictures.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, 1863 (Veterans Day)
Delivered by President Abraham Lincoln(1809-1865) on November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg PA, just 4 months after the Union defeat of the Confederate Army there. Dedicating the new Soldiers' National Cemetery, the address lasted only 2 minutes but captured for all time the larger purpose of preserving the fledgling, free nation. Music: "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic," one of the most stirring anthems ever written, a rallying cry for genuine freedo...
Lord's Prayer, The (Veterans' Day)
Music by 20th century American composer Albert Hay Malotte, The classic text is the current Catholic version and that found in the 1928 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. The original source is the 1662 English translation drawn from Greek & Latin versions of Matthew 6:9-13.
MacArthur's Duty, Honor, Country (MacArthur) (Veterans Day)
Delivered by General Douglas MacArthur(1880-1964) to the cadets at West Point, May 12, 1962. The Old Soldier's most celebrated oration, an acknowledgment and celebration of the soldier's indispensable role in the cause of human freedom. Music: "Tenting On The Old Campground" by Union Army veteran Walter Kittredge, 1863. Sung by both sides during the American Civil War, now a universal ode to soldiers soberly contemplating the quiet before battle...
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