Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 May 07 - 09:47 AM

please do sing it adrien. I hope the song is sung and played everywhere. It is a Michael Troy song.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Beer
Date: 27 May 07 - 10:44 PM

This is my first hearing of this tune and must truly say it brought a lump to my throat. If you don't object Jed I plan on singing it this coming November 11th. at our Legion Remembrance supper.
Truly a great, great song. Thank you for posting it.
Beer(adrien)

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 27 May 07 - 01:52 PM

Very nice, it's easy to overlook a slow, quiet song like that on the CD. The pictures really bring it into focus.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: oldhippie
Date: 27 May 07 - 08:51 AM

jed, i went to your myspace page, but was unable to find how to download the mp3; please send an e-mail, thanks.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: gnu
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:40 PM

sniff.... thanks.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:24 PM

When we lived near Springfield, Massachusetts, we were often reminded of Gold Star Mothers as there is a bridge there called the "Gold Star Bridge."

Jed, I have fowarded the link to several friends and family all of whom have been quite touched. Thanks, again.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: terrier
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:21 PM

Very moving song and well sung. Thanks for posting it.
When the first British casualties were flown home from Iraq, they were flown in on, of all days, Mothering Sunday. My partner wrote a very moving account of the dead soldiers being returned 'home'. After reading it, I tried hard to use her writing as a base for a song, but I just don't have the skill. After listening to 'The Last Day of May',I can appreciate just how much skill goes into writing a special song.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:05 PM

For the third year in a row, I will be singing at the Beverly National Cemetery on Memorial Day. This is the song I do, I learned it from Jed's singing of it. When one is standing on dais, looking at the gravestones, all in a straight line, and then sings the first line, "On the hillside of tears, stones stand like soldiers, all at attention, all in a row", the chills just go through the body. I see the faces of neighbors and friends that never made it home from my war.

In the United States, Mothers who have lost a child in war are called "Gold Star Mothers". I believe it stems from WWII, when a home that had a son or daughter in the military at war, had a blue star in the window. If the child of that Mom was killed, they were given a gold star. The first year I sang this song at the Beverly National Cemetery, I looked out and saw a Gold Star Mother there. She had been asked to speak, but she preferred not to. Knowing the second verse, and that it is about these women forced to endure the unbearable, I looked at her and said, "Meta, I am singing this song just for you". She was touched deeply, or at least that is what she told me through teary eyes, and I had a very hard time not breaking down while I looked at her.

Remember folks that it isn't just an excuse for a 3 day weekend.

Mick

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 May 07 - 10:55 AM

The track is on I-Tune and all the MP3 services, but I've set the Myspace page to allow downloads of the MP3.

Thanks for the comments. Michael Troy is a great writer, and this song is my very favorite of his.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Ferrara
Date: 25 May 07 - 05:24 PM

Oh my Jed, thanks for postng this song. Beautifully done with the video, too, it says so much.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: oldhippie
Date: 25 May 07 - 04:18 PM

Any chance of getting a mp3 of the song?

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 07 - 08:04 PM

Amen to that, Mick.

When the boundaries of peace, get out of control
Let the Angel of Mercy, hold close their names.

We need to work on those boundaries more.

Thanks, Jed, absolutely beautifully done.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 May 07 - 07:54 PM

thanks Geoff and Mick. The moves me deeply too.

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 May 07 - 07:18 PM

Michael Troy is a gift to us all. His lyrics cut to the heart of the subject that he sings of in a way that is simple, heartfelt, and to the point. My friend Jed introduced me to his work and I have been in his debt over it. Altogether too often these songs are too maudlin, or seek to glorify the horrible work we ask our warriors to do. This beautiful piece of work simply focuses on the terrible cost of war. I wish with all my heart that old men would take the song to heart before they send young people to fight, kill, and die. This song is one of the few worthy to be sung on Memorial Day, and Jed's version should be considered the high water mark. The song contains one of the most poigniant phrases ever......

"Too brave to stay, too young to go..."

Mick

Subject: RE: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 23 May 07 - 10:56 AM

It's a moving song.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: Memorial Day Tribute on Youtube
From: JedMarum
Date: 23 May 07 - 10:37 AM

I posted a film clip on Youtube for Memorial Day.

My friend Michael Troy wrote this song and I recorded it a few years ago. It is a powerful and a beautiful song, one I hope everyone will hear one day.

I hope you'll give it a listen - and pass on the link to friends who you believe will appreciate it. The film is here: The Last Day of May

I know many Mudcatters already know about but him, but for those who don't; Michael Troy is a truly gifted songwriter. You can check out more about him here.


Thanks - Jed