American Reacts to I Vow to Thee My Country - Festival of Remembrance 2017 

I was visiting a large high school once in a city in northern England. It was 11th November. At exactly 11:00 am the school bell rang for a few seconds and the school fell totally silent. I could see teenagers standing behind their desks in total silence. All you could hear were some birds outside tweeting. It was so moving I struggled to hold back the tears. After two minutes the bell rang again and the silence was broken. The country does this every year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Proud to be British , proud of our servicemen and veterans , proud to say THANKYOU 🇬🇧🇬🇧

I VOW TO THEE, MY COUNTRY I vow to thee, my country All earthly things above Entire and whole and perfect The service of my love The love that asks no questions The love that stands the test That lays upon the altar The dearest and the best The love that never falters The love that pays the price The love that makes undaunted The final sacrifice And there's another country I've heard of long ago Most dear to them that love her Most great to them that know We may (we may not count her armies) We may (we may not see her King) Her fortress is a faithful heart Her pride is suffering And soul by soul and silently Her shining bounds increase And her ways are ways of gentleness And all her paths are peace (Words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice, music by Gustav Holst)

Proud to be a Scottish Veteran. Proud to wear my poppy during remembrance. LEST WE FORGET 🫡

I wish there was more young men in this world like you, because it shows you have a good heart.

I am Indonesian,,this one of my favorite patriotic songs. I sing it many times,,God Bless UK, God Bless USA and God Bless Indonesia

I am a British and my ancestor who served in both world wars I ware my Popey with pride for the freedom of my country

We Brits know how to celebrate and respect our fallen heroes.

In Flanders Fields In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

This is the most patriotic song I have ever heard. This song defines courage under fire. I grew up in Bedford/R.A.F Chicksands and learned how dedicated and proud the British are, not only of their country but each other. England is and will always be my second home. God Bless Great Britain!

Today is Armistice Day (Remembrance Day). The 11th day of the 11th Month and at 11am we hold a national two-minute silence, remembering those we lost in the wars. Remembrance Sunday is held on the 2nd Sunday of November.

It is beyond words. Our debt to those who lost their lives is indescribable. Love and endless respect.

You’re right! This is indeed the Festival of Remembrance which takes place in the Royal Albert Hall before Remembrance Sunday. Always at the end they will drop thousands of the remembrance poppies from above which fall in silence. The poppy is the Remembrance symbol of those who died in war, as far as I know it’s a flower which grew in Flanders in WW1. Most people here wear a lapel poppy in remembrance in November. All the people here (‘on stage’) are serving or veteran soldiers. The many flags you see are the British Legion veterans belonging to British Legion sections dotted across the UK. Thank you for the video 😊

Goosebumps that’s why the brits are still proud of our country because of what’s gone before

This land of ours is at times bruised and battered , she is loved by some the world over and hated by others, Britannia has a thousand years of history, world altering history. We may at times be laid low as at other times be steeped in timeless glory of the ages, and we will for ever hold fast to our beliefs and Traditions, and always in the love of our armed forces and the constant beacon it brings forth in the hearts of modest yet proud men and women of an island nation.

Nice to see and hear a young American appreciating British traditional music...............and I am an Australian. God Bless America. Les Griffiths

On Remembrance Day every poppy petal that falls represents each of those lost during war. May They Rest in Peace

Our military bands do us proud 🇬🇧 When u listen to them play sometimes you don't need to think it, Just feel it. Rest well our fallen heroes.

Yes, the massed bands version is beautiful, but the lyrics are what move me to tears, incredibly emotional.

Just had me crying like a baby. So proud of all our service men and women, past and present. Thank you is not enough to say for all the sacrifices you have and continue to make

It was a poppy. After the Battle of the Somme, all the battleground was just mud and the dead. The following Spring the only plant to grown was the red poppy!

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row……… just beautifully touching…..

its a great honour to be invited to take part in the Rememberence service and they practice for weeks. Everyone there is a service person/veteron of all the services. Look at the video about the unknown soldier and you can watch the whole rememberence service too. Its heartbreaking

I'm English and have growp up all my life hearing the military bands, my dad was in the army and I could watch this all day. It amazed me as a child and at 61 it still amazes me today to see how patriotic my country is.

It's a beautiful hymn and the words are wonderful too - I have always thought that this should our national anthem. The music comes from the Jupiter movement of the The Planets Suite. Glad you enjoyed it :)

This makes me so proud to be British and to have served.God bless our King

I love this hymn ❤ It is beautiful and so true. Played at HM The Queen's funeral and at my Mum's funeral 🙏🏻🕊❤️ Powerful and gloriously touching 🎶

Goosebumps 🇬🇧, thank you for your respectful analysis of our remembrance service 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Just type in “I Vow to Thee My Country with lyrics” in the RU-vid search bar. The lyrics are just as beautiful as the music! Gives me goose bumps every time I hear the song, even without lyrics!

It's not about the words. It's about the music. And Steve, you have caught what everyone feels when they hear this piece of stirring music of remembrance day, including all your wonderful young men who gave up their youth and, in many circumstances, their lives.

HI STEVE DEBRA HERE FROM SOUTH WALES UK The music is by Gustav Holst Jupiter The Planet Suite Lyrics are by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice Today 11 November 1918 at 11:00 a.m. the guns fell silent at the end of World War I. So we hold a two minute silence on 11 -11-22 at 11:00 a.m. We have poppies to remember the dead of all wars because durring World War I IN FLANDERS FIELD POPPIES NOW GROW, WHERE THE SOLDIERS FOUGHT. IT WAS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST BATTLES OF WORLD WAR I

The black of the poppy is to represent a bullet wound, the red petals of the poppy is to represent the blood, the green leaf represents the attempt to heal the wound. Lest we forget.

The sound in the Albert Hall is beyond thrilling. You can feel each note travel through you. It can actually be quite intoxicating.

this hymn is cherished by all British Commonwealth Countries. Canada Australia New Zealand British Scotland Wales etc etc. God save our Charlie

🇬🇧 I heard my country calling, away across the Seas, Across the waste of waters, she calls and calls to me. Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet is on her head. Yet around her feet are laying the dying and the dead. I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns. I haste to thee my Mother, a son among thy sons. 🇬🇧

The Festival of Remembrance is a stunning and respectful event. We thank you for your sacrifice.

The tune is an extract from "Jupiter" in Gustav Holst 's planet suite. The whole symphony is gorgeous and very moving, well worth a listen to.

Not just a patriotic song but a tribute to those who lay down their lives. Tears rolling down my face.

The POPPY is our symbol of remembrance, as they grow on the battlefields of WW1. Remembrance Day is always on a SUNDAY. Not to be confused with 11th hour of the11th day of the 11th month. 😔 Thanks for your heartfelt words Steve. Always a pleasure to watch you.

Princess Diana had that hymn for her wedding. It was so moving. She served her country. RIP.

The lyrics that accompany this tune is one of the most powerful of any British patriotic song. The poppies grew in vast numbers in the fields of WW1 Flanders and the blood red colour became a symbol of the sacrifice. People buy them by there millions each year with the money going to veteran charities. The wearing of a poppy is how we remember our fallen with the pride and dignity they deserve.

I am happy to find your channel! I am an American of British and Irish ancestry for the most part. I feel it in my bones when hearing British anthems. I tear up as well.

Hello Steve. That was a beautiful version, played by musicians from various military bands. They are all serving in the military. The poppy has been the symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future in the UK since 1921, and are made by retired or wounded military and sold by the Royal British Legion. The RBL supports and helps members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. The flags paraded through as the band was playing, were from the different branches of the Royal British Legion from across the country. Even small towns and villages have representatives at their war memorials on Remembrance Sunday. RBL helps veterans all year round and in our city the run a breakfast club for veterans where they meet once a month to catch up with friends and comrades. I am enjoying your channel very much, it is interesting to see the UK from a different perspective. Thank you for being respectful, you are a good man! All best wishes, Clair.

We sing this at many Events across the British Commonwealth, and it is a beautiful song love from His Majesty's Realm of Australia.

It was Princess Diana favourite hymn , and was played at her funeral, not a dry eye in the house, it great to see your face whilst watching these videos, and the awe that you display, is so genuine, glad you have got a heritage line back to here, I have traced my ancestors back to 1580 ish, so very very proud of them all!! Take care x

Please don’t apologise for showing your emotions as it’s natural to do this. It shows how much you appreciate how special the occasion is to so many of us. The hymn also sums up the vow our late Queen made when she was so young. How many of us would be able to do the same.

Thank You! Your reaction and your respect deserves mention, and does you great credit.....this particular performance of "I Vow to thee, my country" was awesome, and deeply moving.....As an ex-serviceman myself, I never fail to be moved and impressed by all forms of military music, and this was incredible!

Loved this version. Thank you for starting with a tribute to war veterans and showing your respect. Best wishes from the UK.

Thank you for this, I’m a Brit and I always get goosebumps with this particular hymn, you should now go and listen to a version with the words, I was singing the words in my head along with this musical version. The military bands in the UK are awesome and yes there is an orchestra. The significance of the poppy for us is battlefields, usually wherever you see poppy fields there may well have been a battle but of course over the years pollination of the poppy literally happens everywhere now and you see poppies in hedgerows and woodland.

Nobody does this kind of thing like we do. Powerful indeed.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. "In Flanders Fields" is a war poem in the form of a rondeau, written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

I think everyone in the comments including me can understand how you feel. your reaction says it all. thanks. every serviceman and women. who sacrificed their lives for the people and their country's we think you for your service.we will remember them. may all their souls rest in eternal peace amen 🙏. from 🇬🇧👍 an old cockney gal

Yes, they are Poppies. The orchestra is at the far back with the choir. The wonder of this particular rendition is that it was a combination of all the different Military Bands that united together to play ‘I vow to thee my Country’. Wonderful, absolutely superb. Thank you for showing this from 2017. 🙏

Your eyes showed your emotions. Thank you for showing this piece, spectacular!

Yes, that is a poppy, which grew wild in Belgium. A Canadian (field doctor Lt. McRae) wrote a poem called , In Flander's Fields, about the poppies that grew between the crosses of the dead. This is from WW1. They are worn for about a week before rememberance day. They are worn, on the left side, over the heart. They are not to be worn after Rememberance day.

I am Spanish, married to an Englishman. For me this is the most powerful , most touching, most beautiful patriotic hymn ever. I can't help crying every time I hear it (and this version does not have the words!) and my heart deeply thanks all the veterans who fought to make the world a better place.

Hi Steve, In Ieper, Belgium there is an archway called the Menin Gate. The names of the fallen with no known graves are inscribed on the walls. Every night at 8p.m. a short service of rembrance is held. On many nights wreaths are laid and occasionally a military band will be playing. British war graves are administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

This song should really be our national anthem.

My grandfather used to cry for his two lost brothers on Armistice day, and now i cry for all of them . I believe this was by Gustav Holst. , called 'Thaxted'. Stumbled on this beautiful town, avoiding the motorway, by accident. One of the most beautiful songs/hymns ever written. Should be our national anthem. Gets me everytime. Thank you for this

Beautiful reaction... We remember those who died ..not only the Brits but every soul who gave their lives in the wars. Great respect to all veterans and humble thanks for your service !

The Festival of Remembrance is on the Saturday evening before Remembrance Day which is tomorrow, The King and The Royal Family will be present also the prime minister. The standard bearers are from The Royal British Legion organise this. There is the band of HM Royal Marines, band from one of the footguards regiments and the band of The Royal Air Force.

I got chills. It's wonderful.

Hi Steve, your emotions came through loud and clear. They are poppies and most people wear one in the UK as a rememberable for the fallen. The poppy was a flower that flourished on the Western Front and was immortalised in the poem "In Flanders Field" I think it was written by a Canadian soldier serving on the front in WW1. There are words to I vow to thee and they are very poignant. Love your reaction as always. Take care

Awesome isn't it. So moving and patriotic . The US has veteran's Day . Our services of Remembrance are always performed with the highest reverence and respect, via song and verse and pageantry.

*You need to hear the lyric version at the Proms.*

This musical version gave me goosebumps. When sung with the words it is equally stunning and moving

Hi Steve, This was one of last Festival of Remembrance attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, she never missed apart from when she was giving birth and away on a Royal tour.

A beautiful hymn, patriotic, heart stirring with or without words. Makes me so proud to be British & the daughter of a serviceman 😢

Listen to one with the words and I guarantee you *will* be in tears. The poppies signify the blood that was spilled on the battlefields in the first world war, as the ground was so churned up poppies grew in abundance. There was a first world war poet, can't remember who it was who wrote On Flanders Field a very moving poem about all the death and destruction.

This was taken from The Festival of Remembersnce which takes place every year in the presence of the Queen and now the King. You should watch the whole event, it's always very moving.

Morning, we have just had our two minutes silence. Can you please react to Ramin karimloo I vow to thee my country. He’s a Canadian living in the U.K.. This version is my favourite.❤, it’s beautiful.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

Thanks for showing that! I always get quite emotional when I hear this hymn and that was a brilliant rendition.

We will always stand for our belief in right and wrong, but we absolutely LISTEN and want to be united with our friends across nations. We are all the same baby when we are born

Very moving and thought provoking. Gracefully and beautifully done. We do it so well……Thanks 👋😢🇬🇧

Beautiful ,will be watching this Saturday and the service Sunday at the cenotaph which is equally moving to watch . Lest we forget .

The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance for all Commonwealth countries after the First World War. The idea was inspired by a poem written by a Canadian serviceman named Colonel John McCrae in 1915 following the death of a friend. It’s called In Flanders Field. Look it up, it’s really quite moving.

Yes' of course this is a magnificent piece of music, and with lyrics melts hart's of the strongest of men.. So proud to be British, l will once again 'this Sunday' be at the war memorial outside the town hall 'here in Chadderton England' and at 10-58 gmt we observed the two minute silence. The is so moving l feel my chest is going to burst with a overwhelming feeling of pride... May my country last for an eternity .God save the king .

I love this hyme it truly does give me goosebumps every time I hear it and fills my heart with pride and patriotism. thank you to every veteran from Britain 🇬🇧 and America 🇺🇸 who gave their lives for us LEST WE FORGET ✝️

It's an amazing piece of music. It was adapted from the "Jupiter" movement of Gustav Holst's "Planets" suite. The World War I armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, and as a result 11 November is Britain's main remembrance day. This brought a tear to my eye - it was played at my mum's funeral early last year. By the way, the blue and yellow flags are of different branches of the British Legion, the UK's equivalent of your Veterans' Associations.

A very moving beautiful hymn

Beautiful .... but the words ... even more beautiful 🇬🇧 least we forget. The poppy is used as a symbol of remembrance as it was seen on the fields on the western front commonly despite the shelling

Have cried my way through your videos, we may not be overtly patriotic, but the Proms and this Remembrance service certainly bring it out! You may want to check out the poem In Flanders Fields which was where the Poppy references came from. Armistice Day commemorates the end of the First World War, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. There is a 2 minutes silence across the UK, at that very moment. I am so glad you are loving our traditions, the traditions of your ancestors. I certainly am enjoying seeing your reactions. 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

“I was inside the music” - excellent way to describe it. 👌

Hi Steve, In your quest of British patriotism you could also check out "Nimrod" from the Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar - I no doubt you will be very moved by it. Also the trio section from Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance march number four in G major. Also a look at the Welsh song "Suo Gan" and the 3rd of 4 Scottish Dances by Malcolm Arnold.

You need to check out I vow to thee my country by the HM Royal Marines, There you can listen to the words, It is very moving and no matte how many times I watch it I have tears.

The words to this hymn are beautiful

I want this as 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Englands anthem if not for the🇬🇧 UK you can imagine the rolling hills, the mist, green landscape and glistening lakes with shiny sea of the new Jerusalem 🇬🇧 Beautiful❤️ and mesmerising 🇬🇧

This truly moves your soul. So patriotic….. Those where the days when Great Britain was Great..

Oh, wasn't the clip I was expecting with the lyrical version, but still an amazing performance. The melody is what I love the most, even without lyrics there's so much emotion in this one. I can understand how you felt, when I heard the chorus singing I got chills.

6:07 I just knew you were going to go *"Wow"* I well up with tears every time I hear it.

Incredible once again. You are the most consistent person on youtube. Another good patriotic song you should check out. Is Vera Lynn's there will always be an England. It was written in 1939 and helped the British people push through and keep their spirits up during World War 2. Personally it is one of my favourite songs of all time. I would love to hear your opinion

I was lucky to be in the audience that year and there were many tears … just rewatching it now I’ve got chills. So hauntingly beautiful. Check out this years with Luke Evans singing 😢

Every year the Royal British Legion hosts the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The Festival is a commemorative event dedicated to all those that have served and sacrificed from Britain and the Commonwealth. This year's Festival will take place on Saturday 12 November 2022 with performances at 2pm and 7pm.

Americans our brothers 🇺🇲🇬🇧

There are lyrics to this song which are normally sung and it makes it much more powerful - it is unusual to hear it without the lyrics

Thank you for this WONDERFUL clip “I vow to thee my Country” and for your respect. Brought tears to my eyes. The words to this song are beautiful. One of my favourites. God bless all our fallen hero’s who served. I am proud of my country!

Fantastic British Hymn along with Jerusalem and so many others

Thank you for that. Made me cry, just so beautiful. 🇿🇦

The significance of the poppy is that it was supposed to have grown strongly on the disturbed ground of the World War 1 battlefields, so it is a symbol of the blood that was spilt and, in the end, peace. Recommend you watch the last few scenes of the last Blackadder show, the WW1 one. In Flanders Fields BY JOHN MCCRAE In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

The Poppy is the symbol of our remembrance day. We wear a poppy during the month of November. Also it was the Armed Forces band and orchestra. All the best mate. UK. 3/4/2023