THE POPPY FIELDS

 

Dave Topping and Mike Cushing produced another worship song in time for Remembrance Sunday 2008.

‘The Poppy Fields’ was a very difficult song to get to where they were happy with it, mainly because of the emotive subject. It is a song particularly for Remembrance Sunday and it tries to portray all the feelings of the day, through the words, the use of the flute and drum and the choice of singers.

The 1st verse is intended as a female solo, without music and is the woman / girl recalling her husband, son or brother leaving to go to war. Verse 2 looks back at the aftermath and whilst we can find forgiveness for the enemy, we will never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The 3rd verse continues this theme, referring to the ‘Pals’ that so many towns had; with whole communities of young men who died so bravely- but alas the wars and the killing fields still continue to be part of our world. The final verse tells of how our faith is still upheld, remembering that Jesus himself gave his life to save us and "No greater love than to lay down your life."

 

We gaze upon the crosses, the poppy fields of red,

it scarcely tells the story of the blood that once was shed.

A little bit of Flanders lies still within our heart,

the smell and sound of battle on the day we had to part.

 

We gaze upon the crosses, the poppy fields of red,

it scarcely tells the story of the blood that once was shed.

And as the years have passed by, our foes we can forgive,

but we’ll not forget the soldiers who died that we may live.

 

We gaze upon the crosses, the poppy fields of red,

it scarcely tells the story of the blood that once was shed.

The killing fields continue with hearts as hard as stone,

but we always will remember the pals who ne’er came home.

 

We gaze upon the crosses, the poppy fields of red,

it scarcely tells the story of the blood that once was shed.

And so our faith upholds us our thanks and prayers we give,

and we put our trust in Jesus who died that we may live.

Words - Dave Topping

Music - Mike Cushing

 

 

THE POPPY FIELDS

 

 

 

A NEW POPPIES POEM FROM DAVE

 

Once more the poppies dance upon the breeze,

A bright red carpet laid across the field,

Picturesque upon the eye to please,

A mask to cover all that war could yield.

No more hardship a consequence of war,

The smell of futile death amongst the mud,

No more to see the skylark swiftly soar,

Or take up arms because we feel we should.

Row on row like statues set in glory,

Pristine gravestones reflected in the sun.

Each and every one a different story,

Of a father, uncle, brother, son.

Once more his current thought may falter,

Scarred in his mind the Pals who ne’er came home,

Sadly he knows that some things never alter,

Once more he knows that that lessons won’t be learned.

Dave Topping

 

And another which was sung by the church choir in 2016.

 

We will remember them. We will remember them,

At the setting of the sun and the break of every day.

They gave their lives that we should have our liberty,

So every day they’ll know that we will remember them.

words - Dave Topping

music - Stephen Anyon