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| Celtic Radio Community > Minstrels Gallery > The Flo'ers O The Forest |
| Posted by: Catriona 01-Jul-2003, 05:03 AM |
| This tune is traditionally played at funerals, particularly military ones. It was played at my Dad's funeral, and my brother's - and I have stipulated it as one of the Laments I would like to be played at my own! It is seldom sung, it is usually played by a lone piper. IT commemorates Culloden. THE FLO'OERS O THE FOREST I've heard them liltin', At the ewe milkin,' Lasses a-liltin' before dawn of day. Now there's a moanin', On ilka green loanin'. The flowers of the forest are a' wede away. As boughts in the mornin', Nae blithe lads are scornin', Lasses are lonely and dowie and wae. Nae daffin', nae gabbin', But sighin' and sobbin', Ilk ane lifts her leglin, and hies her away. At e'en in the gloamin', Nae swankies are roamin', 'Mang stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play. But ilk maid sits drearie, Lamentin' her dearie, The flowers of the forest are a' wede away. In har'st at the shearin' Nae youths now are jeerin' Bandsters are runkled, and lyart, or grey. At fair or at preachin', Nae wooin', nae fleecin', The flowers of the forest are a' wede away. Dool for the order Sent our lads to the Border, The English for ance by guile wan the day. The flowers of the forest, That fought aye the foremost, The prime of our land lie cauld in the clay. We'll hae nae mair liltin', At the ewe milkin', Women and bairns are dowie and wae. Sighin' and moanin' On ilka green loanin', The flowers of the forest are all wede away. |
| Posted by: Keltic 01-Jul-2003, 09:10 AM |
| This is the tune that I usually played when I was hired to pipe for a funeral. It is also the tune always played by the lone piper at all veteran's memorial services. |
| Posted by: Lady Elaine Knox 01-Jul-2003, 03:41 PM |
| So I knew I recognized it once I started humming it to the words....along with Amazing Grace upon the pipes would be lovely as a funeal selection....also sorry for any loss of kindred. |
| Posted by: Keltic 01-Jul-2003, 09:34 PM |
| "Green Fields of France" Chorus: Did they beat the drum slowly, did they play the fife lowly, did they sound the dead-march as they lowered you down. And did the band play the Last post and chorus. Did the pipes play the 'Flowers of the forest'. |
| Posted by: ranger 20-Sep-2003, 09:51 PM | ||
Steve McDonald has a song entitled 'Fallen Flowers'. It is off his 'Stone of Destiny' CD. Inside the CD cover, he talks about how it is said in Scottish mythology, that those who fell in battle would return as 'Flowers in the Forest'. How often, it happened, that many a young mother's son was cut down in his prime during the honor of battle. Now I know where he got the inspiration. |
| Posted by: ranger 20-Sep-2003, 10:11 PM |
| The morning after the battle... Left are only the dead and dying... With only the occasional pauper looting the bodies, A young man, not much more than a boy lies mortally wounded, Staring into the sky, his life flashes before him, and near that moment of death he cries out for his mother's embrace Amidst his pain, she hears, and amidst her tears, he feels. 'Fallen Flowers' There on a misty morning, the sun slowly rise After the Battle of Halidon Hill There lies her youngest son, tears in his eyes Wounded and dying she hears him still. Ma, if I could live my life again If I could call the world my friend If I could write the stories end (I would) I would give all these things in vain To feel you hold me once again. A smile comes to his face An uneasy calm In front of him, his life flashes by Amidst his boyish charms, he feels his mother's arms In that painless moment, he hears her cry. Son, if I could roll back the years If I could see through these tears If I could face all of my fears (I would) Just to hold you once again. Remember me forever I'll be here forever Please forget me never I'll be here forever If I could roll back the years If I could see through these tears If I could face all my fears And, if I could live my life again If I could call the world my friend If I could write the stories end. (I would) To live a thousand years of pain Just to hold you once again. |
| Posted by: maggiemahone1 21-Sep-2003, 06:08 AM |
| Fallen Flowers, What a tear jerker! That is a beautiful song. I have no sons...When a war breaks out I am glad I have only daughters. maggiemahone1 |
| Posted by: joy 21-Sep-2003, 05:08 PM |
| It is heartwrenching - but it is a wonderful song, thank you for sharing. Well, I've only got sons...it reminds me what really is essential in my life and how rich I am having them! |
| Posted by: ranger 21-Sep-2003, 07:38 PM |
| I am kind of partial to the song myself. I spent over 4 years in the service and lost several good friends. But the music and the melody that goes with the lyrics....one really ought to hear it. McDonald is really good at reaching out and touching you with his music. |
| Posted by: joy 23-Sep-2003, 11:19 AM |
| Ranger, I'm awfully sorry you had to make this sort of experience which I hope my sons will never have to!  But you are absolutely right that one has to hear the song ... I did so and it gave me the creeps. Thank's for that hint. By the way, I bought the CD...  |
| Posted by: ranger 23-Sep-2003, 11:37 AM | ||
- joy Great. I think you will enjoy it. He's got another one entitled 'Sons of Somerled'. His music and CD's are kind of unique in that they also give all sorts of trivia/history info. Glad you liked it. You'd think I get kickbacks from the way I promote him, huh?  |
| Posted by: joy 24-Sep-2003, 06:37 PM |
LOL!  I can't make up my mind... LOL! |
| Posted by: ranger 24-Sep-2003, 08:04 PM |
why decide? Splurge and get them both. The holiday season is around the corner. I'm sure you deserve it.  |
| Posted by: joy 26-Sep-2003, 06:50 AM |
| "I'm sure you deserve it." Well that's the ultimate, "unbeatable" argument as you're absolutely right. Will do so!!! - Time to nourish soul and mind...joy |
| Posted by: Elspeth 26-Sep-2003, 09:11 AM | ||
Can you eloborate on this myth for me? Part of my novel is the story of a young American woman who send her Scottish husband off to fight in the War to End All Wars...... Needless to say when dealing with a conflict best known for its sheer butchery of human life, not all who saw the horrors lived to be old men. What does the myth mean by 'Flowers of the Forest'? Is it literal like the Greek flower myths that the dead return as a flower, or is it more metaphoric? That those who died on the battle fields remain ever alive within the memories of those they left behind, like the flowers blooming evry spring? Is this a recorded myth or more an underlying belief that is spoken through song and story? |
| Posted by: ranger 26-Sep-2003, 12:15 PM |
| Any help out there? Cat, Shadows, anyone. Interested in knowing about this one myself. |
| Posted by: joy 29-Sep-2003, 02:20 PM |
| I was also interested and looked around. I couldn't find a myth about it. All I got to know is that the term "Flowers of the Forest" was used for the first time after the battle of Flodden in 1513. It really seems to be "not more" than a very expressive analogy as there is no historical significance known. So everytime a beloved person dies it becomes a new member of the Flowers of the Forest, immortal in the memories of those they had left behind. joy |
| Posted by: ranger 29-Sep-2003, 03:11 PM |
| Thank you, Joy! |