Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'

31 Dec 02 - 10:57 PM (#856385)
Subject: Lyr re: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: GUEST,Guest

Hello there and Happy New Year!
As I sit at the computer- sniffling and snorting I thought i'd ask after the words for this song- which due to my being filled with cold I could'nt possibly attempt to sing at the moment.

'Recessional' which I think was written as a poem by Kipling, and was set to a tune (P. Bellamy?). I would like very much to get hold of the words to this song, which I have heard few performers sing.

Hope someone knows it, it would be great to have the words at last
Chris

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31 Dec 02 - 11:06 PM (#856390)
Subject: Lyr Add: RECESSIONAL (R Kipling, P Bellamy)
From: Jeri

I or someone else may have posted it already, but I've got a migraine and it's easier to just post it. Great song, and very appropriate these days! I've heard George Stephens and Mary LaMarca do it and haven't heard better.
From http://www.kipling.org.uk/kip_fra.htm

RECESSIONAL
Words: Rudyard Kipling Tune: Peter Bellamy

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard,
For frantic boast and foolish word
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!

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31 Dec 02 - 11:10 PM (#856393)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: masato sakurai

Rudyard Kipling: "Recessional" (June 22, 1897)

~Masato

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31 Dec 02 - 11:11 PM (#856395)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: GUEST,Q

It is online, along with Kipling's complete poems. Not time to enter it right now, but here is the website: Kipling Poems

In case I have fouled up, that is: www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/kipling_ind.html

Just click on the letter R and all of his poems beginning with R come up. Click Recessional.

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31 Dec 02 - 11:15 PM (#856396)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: masato sakurai

There's another composition at Levy:

Title: Recessional.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words by Rudyard Kipling. Music by Reginald De Koven.
Reginald De Koven Publication: n.p.: [The John Church Co.], 1898.
Form of Composition: strophic with refrain
Instrumentation: piano and voice

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31 Dec 02 - 11:15 PM (#856397)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: GUEST,Q

A lot of people not at the local taverns tonight, I see. Jeri, I wasn't aware of the site you linked to, but it doesn't seem to have the complete poems.

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01 Jan 03 - 12:33 AM (#856426)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: Jeri

No it doesn't. I found it on a search I did quite a while ago for this particular poem. Your link seems to be more comprehensive and I've bookmarked it. Thanks!

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07 Jan 12 - 07:35 PM (#3286759)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: GUEST,polkovnik

The best known tune for "Recessional" is an anonymous sixteenth-century German hymn tune called "Old Hundred Twelfth." Words and music appeared in the Episcopal Hymnal 1940. The elegiac tune is perfect for the message.
The hymn was, unfortunately, excised from the Hymnal 1982 on P.C. grounds -- the "lesser breeds without the law" line, of course. I hold by the Hymnal 1940 Companion's comment that "Such criticism of a single line overlooks the devout prayer which follows."
It's Hymn # 147 in the 1940 version, indexed under the first line.

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07 Jan 12 - 07:50 PM (#3286767)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: GUEST,999

The hymn (lyrics and music) can be seen at this site.

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07 Jan 12 - 08:33 PM (#3286787)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: Paul Burke

Kipling at the peak of British empire arrogance. It ought to be anathema to Americans.

What is The Devout Prayer that Follows?
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


What must we not forget? Ozzy Mandias?

Two vast and legless drunks of Stone
Stand in the desert...

Who's this Lord God of Hosts?

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of Hosts,
Thy glory fills all heaven and earth!
Hosanna in the highest!

And what does "hosanna" mean?

Recursively fossilised ideas, sound signifying nothing.

Amen.

(what does that mean? Bless.)

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07 Jan 12 - 09:39 PM (#3286809)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kipling's 'Recessional'
From: Ross Campbell

That seems a very perverse reading of the poem. Written at the height of Britain's Imperial power, Kipling foresaw the disappearance of all that. It's a memento mori, a warning against the overweening pridefulness which PB seems to think Kipling is promoting.

And why should it be "anathema to Americans". Who better needs reminding that pride goes before a fall?

Ross

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