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For the Fallen

from Choral by David Lee Grossman

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about

For the Fallen is a World War I poem written by British poet Laurence Binyon (1869-1943) in 1914 on the cliffs between Pentire Point and The Rumps in north Cornwall, UK. It was written to honor World War I dead at the time, and the fourth stanza was later claimed as a tribute to all casualties of war.

This poem has been set several times by UK composers for services on Remembrance Sunday, possibly the most well known of which are the three Elgar settings and the setting by Douglas Guest. This poem really spoke to me as I was reading it, and this setting is the result. Some of the verses had to be slightly altered to fit the music, but wherever possible I set the original text or keep as much as possible. It is dedicated to everyone that died in service to his or her country.

Finished 1/3/2014
Recorded with Finale 2012 and Garritan instruments, and mixed with Audacity.

lyrics

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines
There is music in the desolation
And a glory that shines.

They went with songs to the battle they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against all odds uncounted
They fell with face to foe
They were staunch to the end against all odds uncounted
They fell with face to foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the Sun and in the morning
We will remember them
At the going down of the Sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight.
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known.
As the stars to night
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known.
As the stars to night

As the stars that shill be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heav'nly plain;
As the stars that are starry in times of darkness
To the end they remain.
As the stars that are starry in times of darkness
To the end they remain.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the Sun and in the morning
We will remember them
At the going down of the Sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

At the going down of the Sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

credits

from Choral, track released May 24, 2014

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David Lee Grossman Charleston, South Carolina

Inspired from a young age by Mozart to write music, and more recently John Williams to write soundtrack music, David Grossman began composing in 7th grade and already has a diverse portfolio encompassing many genres from baroque and classical to jazz to choral and vocal music. He is a graduate of Westminster Choir College (BM, Music Composition) and the Seattle Film Institute (MM, Film Music) ... more

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