With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
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 upon our tears.
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 odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the 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.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
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 are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
For The Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon • 399 poems by Robert Laurence BinyonEdit
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Robert Laurence Binyon [1869-1943] was born in Lancaster, the son of a clergyman, and educated at St Paul's School and Trinity College, London where he won the Newdigate Prize for Poetry. From Oxford Binyon went in 1893 to work in the British Museum's Department of Printed Books, before transferring two years later to the Department of Prints and Drawings where he eventually became Keeper, and an authority on Oriental Art. His book Painting in the Far East (1908) was the first book on the subject to be written in any European language. Binyon was also an expert on Japanese and Chinese Art.
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By Robert Laurence Binyon, © 1913, All rights reserved.
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Editor notes
During September-October 1939 throughout ten Allied countries, and upon the suggestion of FIDAC (Inter-allied Federation of Ex-Servicemen), the 25th anniversary of Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen", was observed.
This is one of the most famous and enduring war poems, and it was written at an historic moment … just after the retreat from Mons and the victory of the Marne.
As to how it came to be written, Laurence Binyon, who celebrated his 70th anniversary on 10 August 1939, says: "I can't recall the exact date beyond that it was shortly after the retreat. I was set down, out of doors, on a cliff in Polzeath, Cornwall. The stanza "They Shall Grow Not Old" was written first and dictated the rhythmical movement of the whole poem."
His words cut so precisely to the heart, such a profound embrace of humanity, it leaves one numb.
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I love the fact that i'm overwhelmed by your amazing poems
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- It can be difficult to put into words the emotions felt over the valiant fallen. Many efforts end up maudlin or forced. There are a some that have become classics, some that perhaps will. Wilfred Owen's "Dulce Et Decorum" is perhaps the piece that moves me the most. I would say one well worth reading as well is "1916" by Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, a tale of two childhood friends slain during the years of trench warfare.
There are writes that glorify war, there are pieces that glorify the sacrifice, this one simply gives memory and respect to those gone into the annals of the fallen. - beautiful poem well done
This superlatively expresses a feeling all too rare these days, the prevailing wind now being to write off the death of heroes as a pure waste (which most of the deaths in WW1 may well have been, since all that war did, thanks to U.S. intervention, was to set the stage for WW2, but still, that does not negate the value of heroism when it does matter, as I hope all sane, rational souls will agree). The meter is somewhat rough, yet that gives it a sort of conversational tone which allows it to be old-school without being too staid or formal sounding. Very effective!
Mournful snd incantationary metre never fails to move me (depends how you read it I suppose). Why do people repeat the last line of verse four on ceremonial readings? As is often the case pomp detracts from poetic impact.
- Beautiful piece. greatly written. emotional. overall outstanding. thanks for sharing such a talent, really like the description and imagery it put in my head.
- this is pretty good . really like how you put out the words to bring out many feelings . keep it up, nice.
- This means a lot to those of who lost buddies in all the war no matter where they were fought and by whom. It grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.
We will see our buddies someday and it will be a great reunion.
The fallen have gone before us to blaze the trail for us yet to come to the end. SALUTE!
- Whatever you think of war, the fourth verse of this poem, the one everyone repeats, does not glorify it. Its message is both true and comforting ('They shall grow not old...'). It still brings a tear to my eye whenever I hear it.
- What an amazing poem. Line 21 is awkward-sounding to me (heresy!), Mr. Binyon. It puts the verb "are" and "profound" together and I don't think "profound" is a verb. Other than that, good job! Hee-hee!
- Beautifully written...Excellent
Very nicely written. Tremendous impact on emotions. Wording is point on. Flow is beautiful. Great job.
For the Fallen
From guest judi Tapper (contact)
I am Pres. of the Dept. of NJ American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. and I end my speeches with the most powerful stanza - they shall not grow old..............., I love it and of course I always quote the author and the year it was written. So true. Thank you to Laurence. God bless, Judi, Proud Mom of PO1,US Navy Seal David M. Tapper, KIA, Afghanistan, 8/20/2003 - Served his country of for 13 years and left behind his beautiful wife Tracy and their four children. May all our fallen rest in peace.- There are few British people of any generation who do not know the spine tinglinging feeling of that 4th stanza intoned slowly and dramatically every November but seen here in its entirity we can see why the poem was chosen ... "With proud thanksgiving. . ." those three words and the poem that follows depict the feeling of so many parents of Binyon's era and beyond who have suffered loss.
This word reassures them that their sons (and daughters) were not squandered needlessly.
Jim WAR
From guest I C BINYON (contact)
SO MANY WORD REFLECT THE WAY SO MANY PEOPLE FEAL TODAY 3 WAR ALMOST SUTCH A LOSS SUTCH A PRICE- '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.'
You are so right - this has always been a moving statement and no matter the language in which it is spoken the meaning is the same: Lest We Forget!
Von - Oldpoetry Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen"
From guest Marline McAllister (contact)
I teach French at the University of the Third Age, here in Melbourne, Australia. As Anzac day will be remembered here soon (25th April),I was preparing a handout for class discussion when I came upon Laurence Binyon's poem ," For the Fallen" Ils ne vieilliront pas,contrairement à nous qui auront cette chance, Ils ne seront pas épuisés par l'age, ni condamnés par les années, A la tombée de la nuit et au petit matin, Nous nous souviendrons d'eux. It is every bit as moving in French and I shall be encouraging my class to remember not only Laurence Binyon's countrymen who fell, but also those of the other nations (enemies too) whose boys endured the same fate and experienced the same horrors and the same fears .For The Fallen 4th Stanza
From guest David Skinner (contact)
When it comes to allies, it works well in French too. My father is now 87, in WW2 he was a Royal Marine Commando and I have been with him in Normandy for one of the many Pilgrimages undertaken by the survivors of his Commando, where the 4th Stanza is cited in both English and French, very moving.4th stanza "For the Fallen"
From guest Colonel (ret) P.J. Roos (contact)
Sorry! I should have read the comments below first!!! Condemn it is.4th stanza "For the Fallen"
From guest Colonel (ret) P.J. Roos (contact)
Last word, second line: which is correct? "condemn" or "contemn"...I see BOTH used!!! Please advise. Kind regards, Colonel (ret) P. J. RoosTears
I read this poem at the beginning of Medal of Honor.When I finish the game, I cried at end. Even when I listened the game OST, I still can't help but cry again.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.Just to let you know
From guest Frederick (contact)
Dear everyone, There seem to be some confusion about several things about the poem which I would like to clarify. The poem was first printed in the Times, and it also appeared in Binyon's The Winnowing Fan. At both times the word "condemn" was spelled condemn. Please forget about the confusion when it comes to that. Second. I cannot give you the details, but Binyon wrote the poem with a friend in mind. The proof exists, it just has not been published yet. Binyon thought one of his best friends had died in an attack. I cannot give the details here, though. Binyon wrote the poem only 7 weeks into the war, not knowing what effect his poem would have.Fallen loved one
From guest Simon O'Hara (contact)
These timeless words capture the endless pain felt for our loved ones. In memory of someone so dearly loved and lost very recently in Afghanistan - Jordan, you will never be forgotten. I wish I could find the words that could express our thoughts and feelings for you - love always and forever in our hearts. Simon.condemn vs. contemn
From guest andy (contact)
"Binyon was a highly educated man and very precise in his use of words. There is no doubt that had he intended ‘contemn’, then it would have been used. Dr John Hatcher, who in 1955 published a biography of Binyon, does not refer to any doubt over condemn/contemn, despite devoting a solid chapter to For the Fallen. The British Society of Authors, executors of the Binyon estate, says the word is definitely ‘condemn’, while the British Museum, where Binyon worked, says its memorial stone also shows ‘condemn’. Both expressed surprise when told there had been some debate about the matter in Australia. The condemn/contemn issue seems to be a distinctly Australian phenomenon. Inquiries with the British, Canadian and American Legions revealed that none had heard of the debate. ‘Contemn’ is not used in Binyon’s published anthologies and the two volumes set Collected Poems, regarded as the definitive version of Binyon’s poems, uses ‘condemn’. The RSL handbook shows ‘condemn’ and a representative of the Australian War Memorial said it always used ‘condemn’ in its ceremonies." from http://www.defence.gov.au/army/traditions/documents/ode.htm9/11
From guest Sharron L. Gill (contact)
In memory of Sept. 11, 2001 I am recalling Gov. Guiliani's use of a portion of Binyon's poignant poem. How timelessly befitting. Sharron L. Gill Gold Canyon, AZ- From guest Jim Gilliss (contact)
The fourth paragraph was read widely here in Texas (May 31, 2010) in commemoration of our Memorial Day, our soldiers and their loved ones who gave all. The particular battles fought and flags unfurled are of little import. The enduring remembrance of fallen comrades, sons and daughters is the message. Pain of the heart knows no single time nor nation.
For the Fallen
From guest Anne (contact)
The wars happened well before my time but tears never fail to gather each time I read these lines, especially the last stanza...to the end to the end they remain...such a beautiful tribute to the fallen.beautiful words
From guest Pat ricia Szaroleta (contact)
I could not remember where I learned this pem..went to the internet and there found what I was looking for..Thank you..The Ode.
From guest John Chant (contact)
"nor the years conDemn" is WRONG. The word is "conTemn" - to scorn or disdain. Perhaps you could correct your script.
Howick, Auckland, NZ.
(Please give us a literary reference that we can check. Old Poetry Team)young death
From guest SHARON FROST (contact)
The stanza, they shall grow not old was in my high school yearbook 1961 in the dedication. We had lost two members of the Junior class and a member of our Senior class so the yearbook was dedicated to them with this quote as the high light. I have often repeated it in my head, especially when a young person dies. My own dear nephew at 30, six years ago. A close friend just lost her 30 year old son in a canoe accident and it came to mind again. As she is an educator, I wanted to make sure I had the quote and the credit right so I googled the first line. What did we do before google? This is a wonderful sight and I had never read the entire poem before. How powerful for any war time. WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and now Alfganistan and Iraq. It truly is ageless.For Guest Carol Noble
I cannot speak for the publishers and web writers elsewhere but the version here is the version I have used at many cenotaphs and services over very many years and I believe that "They shall grow not old" as it appears here is correct. It certainly has more dignity when spoken aloud.
Jimmistake
From guest Carol Noble (contact)
I have known this poem all my life but so often it is written " They shall not grow old, instead of they shall grow not old "Reaction to the Poem
From guest Bill Matthies (contact)
While I've heard or read the fourth stanza many times, I most recently came upon it engraved in stone in front of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Washington, USA.
I was a combat solider in the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam in 1968. While we lost many great boys/men that year, none was more important to me than Steve Dolim, who, along with me, was one of four friends from a California high school serving together in the "1st Cav" that year. Steve was killed exactly 6 months to the day we arrived in Vietnam.
The words engraved on that stone did not remind me of Steve because I need no prompt for that. I think of him most days. But it did make me reflect on my image of him ("They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old: Age shall not weary them or the years condemn".)
How different I am from that as I approach my 62nd birthday, each day dealing with the increasing realities of aging. Who is better off I can't say.
Searching Laurence Binyon, I came across this string and find many arguing about the poem's meaning, whether or not it glorifies war and other issues of absolutely no importance to me, and, I am certain, many others.
What is important to me are my memories of Steven Francis Dolim, Jr.
Rest in peace Steve; you are not forgotten and are forever young in my mind.
MOD MESSAGE
This comment has been added to our OUTSTANDING COMMENTS" thread http://oldpoetry.com/board/topic/1508- From guest Dr. William R. Kenny (contact)
This is the poem, especially the 2nd and 3rd. stanzas, that was almost always read on the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month at school when I was a boy. I can still hear it's measured cadences. It was also read in Gaelic then. re; barry hodges
From guest allie (contact)
the poem was written as you said earlier in the war
but it was after many of the lives were lost and it was in remembrance of them. at the time of course people believed it was the right thing to do.. it was still early and people were still signing up quite willingly and yet the piece is still a reflection of those that died.
oh and he was too old to fight and yet still served on the western front.
please do some further research before slandering people.
as an addition to your worthy comment allie and to help others from making the same mistake about Binyon:
"By the 21st September 1914, when England was already suffering appalling casualties in France and Belgium, the Times Newspaper published Binyon's poem, 'The Fallen'. Binyon had written it in despair over the mounting casualty figures. The poem became widely popular in England and also in Australia and New Zealand.
Binyon wrote the poem while he was employed at the British Museum, it would not be until later, in 1916, that Binyon would finally go to the Western Front to serve as a hospital orderly and witness the carnage personally.
Binyon returned from the war and it horrors to work once again for the British Museum, he died in 1943.
Von - Oldpoetry teamAfghanistan Now
From guest JD Southall (contact)
This poem is so fitting of the ones that did not make it in both Iraq and Afghanistan.- Few people realise what this poem is actually about. It is actually quite a gung-ho piece and was written at the very beginning of WW1 in 1914 (probably only a few weeks after it started) and is a paean of praise to battle, bravery and fighting, saying how wonderful it is for men to die for their country. It is NOT a tragic observation on the wasted millions of young men's lives sacrificed by greed and patriotic fervour. It is actually a very repellent piece of writing, written by someone who never fought in war. How ironic that one stanza is now used as a sad remembrance of the millions slaughtered.
And the dispute about condemn/contemn is silly. In all published versions of the poem (including those authorised by Binyon) he uses "condemn". So there. for Greg CAve
This subject has been discussed over and over since this poem was posted some years ago.
The correct word is as printed here - 'condemn' [ to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation]
I attended an Anzac Day service yesterday. The 'Ode' was read from a book of Binyons' poetry - The Squadron Leader reciting the Ode never faltered on one word of this particular stanza.
There are quite a few opinions on previous comments too if you might like to look.
Regards, Von ~ Oldpoetry- I cannot say how many times I have heard and even spoke those lines "They shall not grow old . . . " and yet this is the first time I have read the poem in its entirety. The while poem deserves to be equally well known.
For the Fallen
From guest Hugh Wyles (contact)
Readers might be interested to know that from a series of poems entitled "The Winnowing Fan", written by Laurence Binyon and published in The Times, Edward Elgar chose three: The Fourth of August; To Women; For the Fallen; which he set to music for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra under the collective title: "The Spirit of England" as his Opus 80. They are all fine poems and I wonder where other poems of "The Winnowing Fan" may be found nowadays.briggensian
Someone correct the spelling of Grammar in this guest post, lest the Old Briggensians get upset!
MOD MESSAGE
It is not our policy to correct a comment for grammar, punctuation, typos or anything else. If it is relevant and intelligible and not abusive, vulgar or profane it is usually left untouched. If it is not it is deleted.briggensian
From guest r bryant (contact)
Just a correction to the earlier comment. The Briggensian is not a military magazine, it was the magazine of Brigg Grammer School.- I wonder how many times throughout the time zones of the world this 4th stanza will be recited on 11th November. Already in Australia remberance services across the country have been almost finalised for the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day. Though placed as the 4th stanza, it was written first and then the whole poem was built around it - we should never forget!
Doneraile
From guest John de Montfort (contact)
My son, Freddie, read the fourth verse last Sunday at our local church in Doneraile, Co Cork. We remembered all servicemen, particularly Irishmen, who died while serving.at the going down of the sun...
From guest JO (contact)
As a child I remember this as... At the going down of the sun and the rising of the same... Not ....and in the morning. But can't find that version written anywhere. Am I mistaken??- From guest Grace (contact)
who is the intended audience for this poem?
(The poem was composed during World War 1; consider reviewing other comments - MOD) paragraph 4
From guest Tamar (contact)
my name is tamar and i go to a school in randwick sydney, i am in a choir at school and we are singing the 4th paragraph of the poem for anzac day this year, this song/poem hs inspiried me to learn about the anzac day war and really feel the sorrow for the fallen.- I have just found an interesting article by the Australian Dept of Veterans' Affairs on the origins of this poem. It reads thus:
"DVA’s Commemorations Branch has been researching the poem and its background. The lines comprise the fourth stanza of the poem For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, and were written in the bleak early days of World War 1. By mid-September 1914, less than seven weeks after the outbreak of war, the British Expeditionary Force in France had already suffered severe casualties. During this time, long lists of the dead and wounded appeared in British newspapers. It was against this background that Binyon, then the Assistant Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, wrote For the Fallen. This poem was first published in The Times on 21 September 1914."
So there is irrefutable evidence that this WAS written after the first Allied troops' retreat, highly likely after the first Battle of the Marne (6 - 10 September 1914). An outstanding piece of poetry.
I disagree that this can be seen as the glorification of war. It is, quite simply, a well-earned tribute to those who gave their country the ultimate sacrifice of love - laying down their lives for it. How many of us, who have responded to this poem, would be prepared to do the same thing, considering the knowledge of almost certain death the men Binyon writes about would have had? I know I wouldn't - and yet, because of them, I am here today. I do agree that the fourth stanza, as a stand alone piece, is just phenomenal. For our tomorrow, they gave their today.- If the forth stanza had been the only one written,then that would have been a beautiful piece in its own right.
Though I think that there is much more to this one than just the one stanza.Sadly I believe that few apart from the true lover of war poetry would read or even notice how good the whole poem is.as that one stanza has overtaken the rest of the work. Having said that I can not think of another passage of poetry that would stand out so clearly as a tribute to those fallen. - To Guest:
I cannot believe that this poem was written to glorify War. Binyon was in fact a Quaker pacifist and had already lost a close friend in the early months of WW1 - so glorification No! I don't think so.
Von
- Excellent poem
- It's such a shame that a beautiful poem was written about a very unbeautiful thing such as war. Ah, I dream of a day when poets would have to write about fictional wars or wars of words not physical battles and death.
- Geoff - brilliant work - damn good show, Watson. I really appreciate your research. Now I won't need to admonish the old soldiers in my RSL for using the word 'condemn'. Thank you for that info. and your other relevant observations. Regards, Bob Clinch
- The word "contemn" is not mentioned in the poem as published in the Times (The Times,Monday, Sep 21,1914; pg 9, Issue 40642; col C ). The word is clearly "condemn" and the text is as written above, without the howler indicated.
It is there in a box to itself in the middle of the foot of the page; there is no accompanying text other than it being listed in the newspaper index. Bear in mind that it is still somewhat prominent as pages 1 and 2 are the personal columns, as devoured by Sherlock Holmes, page 3 covering war dead and casualties. Page 9 covers important war news of the day as well as the poem.
I'll look a bit further for more information this week, for those interested.
Regards, Geoff Evans. Penshaw - Well done Geoff Evans. Now . . . about that word contemn ...?
Regards
Bob Clinch - To WriteOfSpring. Good day. I am a member of the Returned Services League (RSL) of Australia. On every ANZAC Day, and in fact, every RSL meeting or RSL social event which I attend, the fourth stanza is always recited, followed by "Lest we Forget". I have no problem with, nor comment on your statement. Since you are in the UK, you might be able to access the Times publication of 21 September 1914 and let us all know if the word at the end of the second line was originally 'contemn' or 'condemn'. Regards
Bob Clinch, Queensland, Australia - This is probably the most famous of all WWI poems and stanza 4 is always read out at Remembrance Day services in the UK, and of course at D-Day commemorations etc.; its use nowadays is calculated to bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye. This was never its intention.
As a previous writer pointed out, the key thing is: it was written AT THE BEGINNING of the war. It was never meant to be a condemnation of war; in fact it was written as a GLORIFICATION of war, praising the coming sacrifices which the brave young men would proudly make and is actually sickeningly romantic and sentimental. The writer (together with most of Europe) hadn't imagined what was to come, the slaughter, the useless waste of life, the hypocrisy of it all. The irony of using the poem as it is now used is truly astonishing. - Re the word "contemn". Has anyone actually looked up the first publication in The Times? If so would you let us know if the word was 'condemn' or 'contemn'. I would hope it is 'contemn'.
- Yes, I have seen it written "contemn" and think it is a much more appropriate word. I suppose we need to look up the first publication in The Times to get some indication which word was actually written by Binyon
- reply to Michelle - I think the time at which this poem was written makes it all the more poignant - particularly as the 4th stanza is widely used at commemorative services in many parts of the world.
Edited on Nov 28, 10:56 p.m. because ''. Excellent
I would just like to point out that the poem was actually written in September 1914 when the Great War was just 7 weeks old- After having checked with various different sources the word condemn is correct.
Edited on Oct 25, 10:30 p.m. because ''.
