But it does take people's mind off other things don't it? Both public people, and private people too.

One of the most powerful songs about war I know, especially for folk singers and musicians and dancers, is "Dancing at Whitsun", which is in the DT. A little time ago there was a thread about songs that you couldn't sing because you crack up while doing so, and this is one - the line "Marched husbands and brothers (or lovers) and fathers and sons", I can never get past safely.

WHITSUN DANCE (a.k.a. DANCING AT WHITSUN)
(words by Austin John Marshall, tune trad. "The False Bride")
As sung by Shirley Collins

It's fifty-one springtimes since she was a bride,
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
In a dress of white linen and ribbons of green,
As green as her mem'ries of loving.

The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
As gentle a measure as age do allow,
Through groves of white blossom, by fields of young corn,
Where once she was pledged to her true love.

The fields they are empty, the hedges grow free,
No young men to tend them, or pastures go see.
They've gone where the forests of oak trees before
Had gone to be wasted in battle.

Down from their green farmlands and from their loved ones
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
There's a fine roll of honour where the Maypole once was,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.

There's a row of straight houses in these latter days
Are covering the Downs where the sheep used to graze.
There's a field of red poppies, a wreath from the Queen,
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.

Austin John Marshall wrote back in the 60s: "Many of the old ladies who swell the membership lists of Country Dance Societies are 1914-18 war widows, or ladies who lost fiancees and lovers. Country dancing kept the memory of their young men alive. When Shirley Collins started singing the piece to the tune of The False Bride, the impact was disturbing, for many people in the audience identified with it. Tears were frequent."