What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.
On August 1st, 1944, there was an uprising in Warsaw. Why so much attention on such a prolonged skirmish that resembled so many other similar all over the continent at that time? Increasingly that battle is considered by historians to have been a precursor to the Cold War, as there was so much manoeuvering and misinformation arising from the Soviet side and the delayed support of the allied forces. (Read more here.)
The history portion today is presented by Spartacus Olsen, who adds gravitas to what was a catastrophe for the Poles. Indy and Joakim then have a good discussion about the song arising from The Uprising (yes, I actually typed that. No apologies.) It is not comfortable listening, but nothing about war should be.
The music video is one of Sabaton's cinematic presentations and reflects that deeply disturbing aspect. Care should be taken in choosing to watch.
What better way to mark Summer Solstice than with remembrance of a bright star of yesteryear. June 20th would have been the 98th birthday of Audie Murphy. Remember him? I used to love sitting with my dad watching Audie's movies. It was not, however, until I was working my way through the Sabaton catalogue that I discovered the fact that Mr Murphy was (and remains) the most decorated soldier in US history. The song utilises words from one of Audie's poems, as well as reflecting the actions required at Anzio and gives just a hint at the PTSD which haunted him:
As this is 'musicalisms' day, after the history episode, I am also supplying the song video in full, as filmed at one of the many festivals the band have played. Then as a bonus, a song written by Audie Murphy for Dean Martin (another June-born boy). Audie wrote several songs, but this is likely his most famous. It is thought to be a self-reflection based on his first marriage, which failed due to the effects of his 'battle fatigue' (now known as PTSD).
The Battle of Belleau Wood in WW1 is considered to be the place where the US Marine Corps became a fully-fledged fighting force. It took place in June of 1918, hence the placement of the history and the song honouring those men here today. As per the pattern established for this series, the Indy Neidell description, with the background to the song creation, is followed by the vid of the song in full. I rather like this one from one of the US tours of the band; you see shots of the audiences that include toddlers, grannies and grandads, and even the deaf totally rocking out!
Your Sabaton history fix this FFF is about a small battle that sounds almost improbable. As Indy says at the end of his summary, it is amazing this hasn't been picked up for a movie. It has all the elements of an action-adventure tale. This battle took place on May 5th 1945, just days before the cessation of hostilities in Europe, and makes today the actual anniversary.
Later in Indy and Joakim's post-summary discussion, they move on to matters pertaining to 2020. You may not wish to listen to that bit about rearranging concert schedules and such... but it struck me that this has already become 'history' to the extent that three years ago now feels like a hundred and three, somehow... There is only a lyric video available for the song, which I link here for you to go listen to if you so choose.
Another of Sabaton's filmic presentations, this time animated. As the vid covers the basics of the story, I am opting to only link here the Sabaton History channel's fuller version of the story of the Baron, rather than embed it. (Highly recommended, of course. And for other air geeks like me, there is also this bonus episode on other WW1 aces.) As you will see as the story and song progress, April 1917 and 1918 were important in the history of this legend. This is also one of the...eerrrmmm... 'jauntier' of Sabaton's songs.
I swithered a little bit about the placement of this item, given that it actually focuses on action taken in the month of July 1943. However, it is also very much about an Australian, and April is the month of ANZAC day (25th), which is the great memorial day down under. That meant this month won.
One of the great privileges of my medical life was to sit in the company of some returned Australian servicemen. Two of my charges endured the Kokoda trail. One of them just would not talk of that time. The other, "Les", one day opened up. We were sitting watching the ANZAC parade. He could no longer march but had his medals on his chest and wore his uniform cap. Despite being air force personnel, he and his company had been forced to march the trail as no landing strips were available to them, and all combatants were required on the ground, no matter their force. "Les" spoke of the mud. He spoke of the almost vertical nature of much of the track. And he spoke of the camaraderie that arose. I will never forget the tears he was prepared to share with me that day... at the age of 92, he said he had never even told his wife about that time. Only his fellow veterans knew. "Les" passed away three days later.
Today, in addition to the Sabaton history and song, I add a short film that has Bull Allen's family talking about him. There is much made of the fact that Allen has not been awarded as might have been expected by the Australian army... but what is not taken into account is that all medals up until 1991 were issued under the imperial (read British) system. Cpl Allen was awarded the Military Medal on a prior occasion - which is as much as the Aussies could give at that point for his valour. As all the men he rescued in the action described below were US soldiers, it is fair enough that the medal recognition was also American. Since 1991, there have been Australian Gallantry decorations created... I believe that through that system, it could be possible for the family to nominate their father for recognition, but this doesn't seem to come up in conversation. In the thumbnail of their video, you can see the medals on Allen's chest; the MM is the one closest to his tie. Beside it lies the Africa Star (for serving in North Africa and Syria), then another on which the ribbon appears the same, so am uncertain of naming it. Then comes the SSM (US Silver Star). Next is another indistinct decoration followed by the Australian Service Medal 1939-45, and to complete the set is the (imperial) Defence Medal for service completed.
The Kokoda Trail of WW2 holds as much awe and gratitude among devotees of Australian war history as the ANZAC episode from WW1. You can read more about it and see how the memory is maintained on the Kokoda Historical website.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY. Therefore, a history and song that relates the story of the 588th bomber squadron of the mighty Soviet military during WW2. In the UK, we are familiar with the role played by women in transporting planes from the factories to active airfields (The Air Transport Auxiliary Women's Corp). In the USA, it was the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). In neither case were the women permitted to enter combat status.
Russians, though, were more inclined to accept women into air combat. Not necessarily smoothly, but they surely earned the respect of their male colleagues - and fear from their foes.
While many of the video and musical offerings I've chosen are based on the two world wars, Sabaton covers other stuff, such as the crusades, the thirty years' war, and the Swedish Empire. Today, I bring you the history and song about the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.
In recent times there have been rumblings and mumblings about the usefulness of the UN (click here for one summary of its relatively toothless stance a year ago)... is it something of a unicorn? An incredible story until it comes to dealing with actual real life? Indy nails it at the end of his usual whip-sharp summary of the organisation; it may have the presence of a fable, but fables keep us reminded of where lines are drawn...
What prompted this post on a Monday? Well, relevant to the article linked above, one recalls the anniversary of the start of the current Russo-Ukrainian War... it was on February 20th 2014, that Putin ordered the invasion of Crimea. Then there were ongoing 'rumblings' in three other regions; Donetsk, Donbas, and Luhansk. The UN has called upon the world's nations to not recognise these areas (as per being under Russian rule). It might have been easy to think that last year's all-out assault on February 24th was the start of the war. It may not have been in the headlines, like so many conflicts ongoing, but this situation has been trundling along for all these years (and, indeed, back centuries). These last twelve months have been a sustained escalation.
It might be wondered why there was no Peacekeeping Force present in Ukraine before this incursion. The Secretary General's address to the press last year gives insight into that. There has been no peace to keep - outright war negates the purpose of the UNPF. Putting them there would have essentially been annexing them to the Ukraine military.
As time has progressed, some nations have sought to support Ukraine's militaristic pursuit with the supply of arms. In December, a brief statement from the High Representative of Disarmament Affairs (🧐) pointed out the care that must be taken to mitigate any potential for escalation of hostilities and for such supplies to get misdirected...
The UN's primary involvement - beyond words - has been the ongoing assessment regarding the potential 'war crimes', (defined as acts contravening their Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Late last year, the General Assembly asked members to set up a "Register of Damages" (from Russian aggression against Ukraine); reading all the arguments put forward in response to that tabling makes interesting reading. The UN also provides a bullet-point summary of key happenings, with links to relevant reports. Plus, there are additional links for donations to various agencies.
Addendum;
The above post was scheduled three weeks back. Much has taken place since, and even in the last few days, with the Munich Security Conference, where the subject of support for Ukraine was high on the agenda.
As I am taking the historical view this year, chiefly noting how mankind goes in circles and never quite pulls itself out of the bullpit, I considered that leading up to the last two 'world' conflagrations, there were multiple individualised conflicts. Glance at these clippings; pop over to the complete listing of conflicts between 1900 and 1944... and prepare to be astounded.
The world is almost always at war. What turns things around to being a 'world war'? When enough countries feel aggrieved against another set of countries, things can tip right over. WW1 resulted from tinderbox politics and societal willingness to head off to battle... that very conflict saw the rise of anti-war movements and conscientious objection, for it truly was a horror, and sensibilities had grown as new reporting brought it home. Then, all attempts to placate the rising tide that was Nazism failed, and we were at it again. That Hitler and his ilk had to be chastened, there is no question, and clearly, diplomacy was ineffective.
As it appears to be now, in the case of Putin and his megalomaniac ways. So, when one hears/reads such wording as:
Now is the moment to double down on our military support. When Putin started this war, he gambled that our resolve would falter. But we proved him wrong then, and we will prove him wrong now. (Rishi Sunak)
and then think back to that statement by the High Representative of Disarmament Affairs, one despairs somewhat. It is not necessary for me to spell it out further, is it? We witness conflicts not just in Ukraine but in Yemen, South Sudan, Syria, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Haiti...
I swithered on where to post this one, given that there is an official day in August for this item... but I have more than enough episodes to share and given this is the Purple Heart and yesterday was the day of the romantic heart, I am rather stretching the connection and placing it here! There is nothing romantic about war - and by connection, one could argue there is nothing romantic about being decorated for participating in war. Yet medals do have a romance about them, and the history of this one does have something vaguely ....mmm... picturesque about it. I can stretch the February connection just a tad further by noting that George Washington was a Febby baby. (That'll make sense once you watch the vid.)
For some reason, though, when it comes to the song itself, Sabaton appear not to have produced either a music video or even a lyric video for it. I could only find it as a track on the Primo Victoria album on Spotify - with no alternative listening source. If you don't wish to use Spotify, it will be a case of making do with the snippets on the history vid.
Today's historical Sabaton offering relates to a ship that was admired and feared in equal measure... the mighty Bismarck. I had actually been thinking of this for May, the month of his sinking (yes, 'his', as deemed by those who sailed in him, despite virtually all sailing vessels being referred to as 'she'). However, those mysterious cogs and whicheegarns worked their mayhem, and several things came together one afternoon. I decided just to get on with it - before the menopolyxinaemia whisked away the inspiration!
I may have mentioned once or twice that I am quite fond of floating things - or at least a keen observer. Those familiar with my Shipping label over at My Take will know it well! The geeky me was quite taken with this article about the salvaging of 'heavy metal' vessels. It prompted thoughts on the fact that we still rely so much on this ancient mode of transportation and that it is also one of the most significant environmental threats in the transport sector. (Everyone goes on about flying - but that remains insignificant by comparison.)
There is something romantic about shipwrecks, though, isn't there? Scuttled vessels are often used for snorkelling and diving entertainment. As I pondered this, this article appeared concerning the philosophy and ethics of seeking sunken history. It was noted that even the wrecks will one day be gone as the tides and currents eat away at them. Preservation on film is an ideal form of record.
Anyway, after all that, I returned to thinking about Bismarck. I'll get to the Sabaton version in a moment - but let me add some more links because, really, there is just so much to follow up on! I found some written history for those who prefer it. On the HMS Hood Assocn website, there was this rather good page. The Hood, if you are paying attention, was the Royal Navy's pride and joy in those early years of the Battle for the Atlantic - and it was the target of Bismarck with a devastating loss of life. The RN got angry, and Churchill ordered that Bismarck be hunted and 'put down'. It was quite the event, and having seen in the write-up just mentioned that Channel 4 did a doco on it, I tracked that down too. It is excellent! Made in the 'noughties', there were contributions by some of the sailors who witnessed the seek and sink. Sadly, I could not find the show anywhere else in the UK; if you are elsewhere, I encourage you to seek out "Bismarck; 24 Hours to Doom" on your various streaming channels.
Meanwhile... back at the Hutch... I bring you the Sabaton History Channel's potted account and the striking music video. Watch for the silver compass - there's a great visual story unfolding.
Mac1 is staying with me this week - report on that to come next week.
This Thursday, I want to share some news that got me a little excited - for the guys who were honoured, but also for me. Why? Well, I see this as confirmation of what I had been feeling about Sabaton and what they have done and that I was not being daft about the fact their efforts have been valuable in presenting and preserving history. In the comments of their videos, I have frequently read very young folk saying how they had found a love of history that they had not been getting from their school teacher... and I have seen school teachers saying they had something new to present to the bored youngsters in their classrooms! There have been parents and grandparents admiring the interest sparked by treating history this way.
Now, there is recognition by the Swedish Skeptics Association, which has awarded the band the Enlightener of the Year 2022. This brings them SEK50k (US$5k/£4k, approx.), but more than that, quite some prestige!
In writing about the band and why they were chosen, the following was also stated:
By making it clear that they are not historians themselves but rely on experts, they demonstrate an insight that even academics sometimes lack, namely that of being aware of where the limits of their own knowledge lie. Interviews and extracts also show that history is a subject where our knowledge changes with new discoveries and we must be prepared to change our perceptions as new data emerges. This too is fundamental to all science.
So yes, I got a bit of a buzz from this news - but not as much as the band themselves, I am sure! This award usually goes to academics, teachers, scientists and researchers. Never has a band been selected (the award has been made since 1987) - let alone a heavy metal crew. Anyway, I wish them all the best in continuing their passion for sharing history through music...
and I hope this ratification will calm any qualms you might have had about the YAMster's choosing to share so much of them with you!
January 26th holds lots of interest for me. As an Australian, I acknowledge it as Australia Day, the anniversary of the landing of the first fleet... though, like many 'woke' Aussies these days, there is some split emotion about celebrating an event that led to what was little more than an invasion upon the people already resident in that land. Just as in the Americas, there was an arrogant assumption of land and superiority of the 'settlers' by virtue of being clothed, book-literate and fair-skinned. In recent years there has been strong recognition of this, and reconciliation ceremonies and other acts of reparation have been witnessed.
Then there is Republic Day in India, my spiritual home and a place I spent an incredible 30 months. This commemorates the Constitution of India finally becoming legal after the partition of August 1947. The partition was between India and two swathes of land, initially known as West and East Pakistan, rather arbitrarily cut away by a line drawn on a map by English lawyer Cyril Radcliffe, who had never been to India and knew nothing of it. What ensued, as families and friends and communities were split asunder, was every bit as horrific and scarring and as indelibly cut into the psyche of these nations as the holocaust to the Jewish people. My first landlady and friend, Harbhajan-aunty, eventually told me a little of her childhood memories, having witnessed things no child should... yet children the world over are still faced with such as that. I also got to know others in India itself who were still affected by those events.
Thirdly, I had Jewish neighbours and friends who all had their stories to tell. What struck me was how even younger, freer generations were touched by their parents' and grandparents' - or even great-grandparents' - trauma. As a counsellor, I had to learn about transgenerational trauma. Marks are left when coping mechanisms become twisted and torn.
January 27th is Holocaust Memorial Day. I am placing the following here as a natural companion to OZ-day and IR-day. I am going to once again switch off comments for this post to allow you the time to absorb and ponder, reflect and remember. By all means, if you wish to feedback, then comments will be back tomorrow.
There are many ways to remember, but (and I risk your ire for this repetition) it is imperative that history continues to tell the stories and keep uncovering more - for papers and photos and film still emerge, whether from official archives or from personal collections as the estates of the deceased are revealed. There are many ways, too, in which the stories can be related. As you are well aware by now, I have opted to utilise the strong musical presentation of history that Sabaton has embarked upon, as well as the narration of events provided by Indy Neidell. This episode rightly has a warning that there are disturbing images, and I reinforce that here. You are encouraged to listen, even if you cannot watch; after the history part, Pär relates his own experience of visiting Auschwitz. It is unflinching but respectful.
Grab a cuppa; there's lots to listen to in this post. Today I want to talk about how every generation of music has had its version of 'heavy', be it metal, folk, or punk. There are reconstructions of music from around four thousand years back, from Sumerian civilisation, that reach all through the years to enter our hearts and minds (click here for The Oldest Song). We are transported by their soft jazzy ethereality. Certainly not in the 'heavy' bracket of listening, but it sounds so strange to the western and modern ear that they might have the same effect as any metal or punk on first listening.
A lot of the early music that reaches us comes from sacred ceremonies and a desire to raise hearts and minds to The Higher. Music has that ability. It also can free us of worry and strike a sense of community and comradeship. The bawdy dances and songs of Medieval times might be considered as 'heavy' compared to the songs of the church. (Click here for one example.) Then along came chamber music and the likes of Bach and Mozart... remember, he was considered a musical rebel! And Bach's organ music, in particular, can be 'heavy metal' in its eager push against keys. (Click here for his Toccata in F Major... the bloke is playing with all four paws and having a major workout! Side note; I had tickets for that concert in the SOH March 2011 - but I got confirmation of my acceptance to Sandeepany and was thrown into a whirl of getting the house on the market, making all paperwork arrangements and such, so I had to surrender the ticket to a very grateful friend. Imagine my glee at discovering this online whilst researching for this post! If it takes your fancy, the entire concert is HERE.)
As the years progressed, so did music - and the instruments upon which it was played. Those mighty organs, the hurdy-gurdies, the brass and wind sections, the timpani. Ah, yes, drums... they went from being just clay pots or hollowed wood to stretched skins and then the ever-advancing technology ensured their importance of underpinning rhythm and thrum. Audiences were challenged with louder and more strident themes - even being faced with cannons in the case of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture. I mean, tell me THIS isn't heavy metal in the acoustic form! Seriously, all those timpani, bells, brass and cannons are METAL, and they are HEAVY. Literally!
Perhaps the most significant amount of musical innovation began in the 19th century with the arrival of the likes of Wagner (let's face it, that Ring Cycle is truly heavy going...), Sibelius (ahhh, Finlandia...) - and even Brahms was considered radical, though now we accept all these as valid, reputable composers.
As the centuries turned, along came Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Prokofiev... all offering power ballads of their ilk. Of these, the first two might be reflected in the symphonic metal bands of today, while the latter two might be echoed in the trash metal scene.
During their time, the rise of influences from other cultures infiltrate popular culture, and we get the likes of Gershwin and Joplinsetting out shorter pieces to which people might dance or sing along, as well as their concert-style pieces. Thus the beginnings of 'pop' music arrived! Barbershop quartets and music hall traditions started to burst out, and folk started to think they might have their own band. By the mid-20th century, the popular music industry was burgeoning, and there was a push for new faces and sounds. Big-band groups were giving way to smaller units of six or fewer musicians, and the invention of the electric guitar meant another surge in loud and raucous. Enter rock and roll, the 'music of the devil'!
Wave after wave of music modalities arose from the 1960s onward; candy-style pop all the way through to different rock styles. Hard rock, folk rock, glam rock, progressive rock, alternative rock, indie rock, ska, rap-rock, funk rock, math rock, and post-rock.
Then the purists got deeper, brasher, louder. Metal arrived. Early heavy metal now sounds relatively tame and can be easily traced as coming out of hard rock tradition. But when it had to compete with punk, it needed to glow. Something else to note... much of modern pop is produced by youngsters too keen to get on stage and not necessarily following through fully on their musical studies. Nine out of ten groups rely on remote songwriters to provide their material. Many rock/metal musicians, though, are products of advanced musical study. They almost all produce their own music and lyrics. The musical skill among rock and metal bands, then, is significantly higher than many 'pop' bands. The traditions of music all the way back to Sumeria can be traced even in the most ear-ripping offerings.
To round off this very brief summary of musical heavy sounds and traditions, I will share two items for your visual and aural comparison (and, hopefully, pleasure). First, a Turkish Sufi item with the most graceful 'head banging' you will ever see! Sufism uses hypnotic, thumping rhythms to bring all minds to one point in communion with the music but also The Self. That will be followed by one of Sabaton's power ballads. The visual comparison I believe you will immediately see. But there is an anthem-like quality to En Livstid I Krig, which brings that huge crowd together to focus on that one moment of shared uplift in a similar fashion as the Sufi chant. Thanks for coming along on this little ramble around the tubular tunes with me today!
Over the past month or so, I have been laying the markers/hints of the content you can expect to find on DoWY during 2023. These early weeks of my adjusted focus require some effort as I continue in research mode and plot the schedule, but I am very much enjoying delving deeper into things on a more studied basis again.
Yes, blogging is fun, and of course, one could simply keep things light and fluffy... but here's the plain truth of it, my dears... I was starting to bore myself, so heaven knows what you all thought! I need deep and meaningful stuff to help me feel alive.
It is also always a wonder how things come along when one begins to make these sorts of junctions in the path. Like the bus you have been waiting for comes then is followed by half a dozen other buses in rapid succession!!! Back in November, when I was making those five different directional series of Me-Now-View shots from my windows to see the year out, I made the decision to put the photography blog (My Take) on hiatus for the remaining six weeks of its eleventh year (and yes, DoWY is approaching that anniversary too!) because I am just not getting enough fresh lens fodder to keep that effort going. With this decision taken, I also realised I would now have time to put a laser-like focus on this blog. That was the time that I was setting up my Advent musicalisms series, and the intermutts worked its algorithms and presented me with Sabaton's Christmas Truce.
The. Thin. End. Of. The. Wedge! As mentioned previously, I got lost in their back catalogue and history channel and realised I had my supporting structure for the blog. I will still have lighter, laughier days...once I've got things properly ticking along. If this initial stage seems all very heavy (and not just metal 😝), the fault is mine as I endeavour to lay proper foundations for what amounts to a posting project. I am very conscious that some will find these longer posts not to their taste. That's fine. Ultimately - as is the case for all of you who are blogging/vlogging or otherwise teching - the writing is being done for my own exploration, and if, by sharing these things, anyone else gains even an iota of new information, benefits from a new point of view or finds a new area of interest, then all the better.
I've touched upon my belief that history is essential to us in order to understand our now, as well as it being an aid to seeing potential futures. What I have not spoken of here before is that Modern History was one of my key subjects at school, which I took to Scottish Higher (A-Level) study with the intention to read History and Philosophy at university. I was offered places at two... but by that time, I had been on my first Great Down Under trip. Things had changed. And I ended up in computer science instead. You've got the MacHistory label for all that.
I have always kept my interest in history, particularly from the Boer War and up through the 20th century to current events. Make no mistake, what is happening worldwide, in our daily lives, is history in action. The minute you just left became a part of it. Everyday social history is important. Political history is important. And the history of conflict is important. Firstly, we must never forget the horrors, sacrifices, noble deeds, and heroic acts, as every life is worth honouring with memory. As Human Beings, from the earliest social gatherings, the narration of lives - hatched, lived and despatched - has taken place. In every family and community, there is to be found the 'recorder and narrator'. My dear friend Aitch is an archivist. The keeping of papers, books, and artefacts all help build that history. In modern history, we also have the benefit of film and photography. This comes with the understanding that what is to be witnessed is likely to be disturbing, at the very least.
With the posts I will be sharing here, I hope there is some degree of cohesion as I have picked items that reflect different aspects or sides. The main message that comes across in these episodes (and all the others on the channel) is that most soldiers just get on with being soldiers and are not any different from the soldiers on the opposite team. And on all sides, there are also real ^&*""*^&**^s who use war to express their sadistic nature.
What has been intriguing to me is that sometimes a few days or even a couple of weeks after pondering a subject such as I have just written, the algorithms will throw something else my way to fill out the picture. An example is the following half-hour interview with Joakim and Pär. I debated whether to share this, but I think you will appreciate their discussion as they tour the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels. It gives you a good feel for the two main guys of the band, as well as brings up a couple of facts that even I had not known about (think dogs). There is very occasional strong language.
NB - as I invite you to ponder these things and, perhaps, add to the discussion, I will leave this one with you today and switch off comments, so you don't have to feel obliged to fit this all into your 'right now'. If you have some feedback, question, or something to share on the subject, bring it in tomorrow's comments. Ta.
Welcome to the 1st First Friday Filmclub offering for 2023! This year, all the FFFs are going to be from the Sabaton History Channel. There will be a sprinkling of other programs from that channel throughout the year at different points, as well.
This Swedish band consists of;
Joakim Brodén - lead vocals, keyboard, guitar
Pär Sundström - bass guitar, vocals
Chris Rörland - guitar, vocals
Hannes Van Dahl - drums, vocals
Tommy Johansson - guitar, vocals, backup keyboard
and what I have learned is that the term 'skalds' can be truly applied to them. They seek to convey and memorialize moments and people from various conflicts, teaching history in what is both an ancient and yet very modern way. Joakim and Pär are the main songwriters. Some of the events covered are relatively widely known - others are either forgotten or have never been revealed.
The format of the history videos is the first half is Indy giving the actual history behind the song in focus, then a discussion takes place with either Joakim or Pär, which sometimes expands on the history itself or how the song came about - or occasionally goes off on tangents but always entertaining. Quite often, there is more than one offering of the song format - lyric videos, fan videos, or additional info. Accuracy and honesty are fundamental to Sabaton's storytelling. They seek, wherever it is possible, to find the humanity in the telling - no matter which side or conflict; but they also do not flinch from the facts.
We start this series, then, with one of the real 'uplift' stories (heaven knows there are few enough of them) from WW2. First, the history channel vid, then the song with some additional bits, and then the lyrics. Finally, a compilation news video with the two pilots sharing more of their experience, fleshing out this incredible tale of chivalry in the air.
In this next video, you will see the story told through animation, the full song - and more from existing footage of the two pilots, plus the one from the daughter of pilot Stigler. (If you already watched the first vid, you might prefer just to forward to minute 7:30 and watch that endpiece with the family.)
From down below, an enemy spotted
So hurry up, rearm and refuel
But through the bomber’s damaged airframe
See wounded men, scared to their bone
Look to the right and then look again
And see the enemy in the eye
No bullets fly, spared by his mercy
Escorted out, out of harm’s way
Fly, fighting fair, it’s the code of the air
Brothers, heroes, foes
Killing machine
Honour in the skies
B17
Flying home
Killing machine
Said goodbye to the cross he deserved
He risked his life two times that day
To save an unknown enemy
Escort to safety, out of the kill zone
A short salute then departed
PS - in case you did not see it, or as a reminder, I put out a call to action on the
Christmas Eve Post. I am going to keep placing the link. Please spread the word, and quickly. The Collection Pot is only open until January 13th. Thank you.
Picking up from the Monday post and again a hint in yesterday's blurb... I am refocusing somewhat. There has been a rising need to delve deeper and explore more thoroughly on various points of interest. To 'think aloud' as it were. Taking up threads from items that catch my attention and running them through the Advaitic lens.
Why? Well, partly to keep my little grey cells suitably oiled. Partly to spark some interest and debate. Partly to provide a point of view to add to all other points of view... and as we know, it takes many pixels to make a picture.
There is going to be a bit more revelation about the rising 'sap' in tomorrow's post. Let me here say that a major trigger for finally grasping the nettle was the realisation that I have slumped into such an auto-routine and hardly any proper mental energy has been expended. Then within the space of a week, I had two very excellent email exchanges; I signed up for the courses at Domestika; I discovered Sabaton - and their history channel... but also found that there were a couple of History Hit/Warfare podcasts that tied in with items on Sabaton's channel; by the magic of algorithms, I found another channel in which a classical music professor assesses rock and metal music... and a germ of an idea began to form.
By the time you read this, I will have, hopefully, completed viewing all the available episodes on Sabaton History (115 at the time of writing). I have learned stuff. Their focus is on documenting, in lyrics and music, events and people that history may be liable to ignore or just not note. There is also a 'no borders' policy to Sabaton's approach, and they take up tales from all sides. Anyway, I have decided to pick several of these episodes to sprinkle throughout 2023. Might be 12, might be 24, but not more than that. I will give reasons for their choice and presentation to you. More on that in due course.
The historian who assists them in the telling of the history, Indy Neidell, has previously run a vlog cast on WW1 and is now working through WW2. Meticulously researched from all available sources, these shows provide as full a coverage as can be imagined from all aspects. Move over, Ken Burns.
In some respects, this will form a 'spine' to my posts for 2023. As events in the world remain turbulent, not just in warzones but politically in many countries (the UK not being immune as we go through a barrage of strike action), we do well to remember the unsettlement of history and hope that we can spread the awareness enough to learn and grow beyond all the usual responses. I am no pessimist... but I confess it is difficult to hold too much in the way of optimism for our near future. Come back tomorrow to read a little more of my personal thoughts.
PS - in case you did not see it, or as a reminder, I put out a call to action on the
Christmas Eve Post. I am going to keep placing the link. Please spread the word, and quickly. The Collection Pot is only open until January 13th. Thank you.
Etiam ante legere; I prepared this post some three weeks ago. At that time, there was a hint that there might be a truce for the day between Ukraine and Russia. Ten days ago, Putin declared there would be no such truce. What is more, there seemed to be an upsurge of action from his troops towards Ukraine. And no doubt there will have been further developments even after this addition prior to text; but I leave the remainder as I originally wrote it, for it's intention remains valid.
Christmas is gone, and we are approaching the new year. For many in different areas worldwide, such days pass almost unnoticed due to more prevailing circumstances. One would wish and hope that at least a few hours of respite might have been found in these areas of conflict and disaster. I think especially of those in Ukraine. When searching for different Christmas musical offerings, I had not expected this one. I am going to beg your indulgence to watch this one through, and here is why.
Swedish heavy metal band, Sabaton, appeared on my search list, and I very nearly passed it by, thinking, 'what could that offer by way of expansion?' However, it caught my attention by being about one brief moment in December 1914 when in some parts of the trenches, all the warring parties laid down their guns and raised, instead, candles and song. Gifts were exchanged, and games were played. I discovered that Sabaton has an excellent website. You see, nearly all their songs are inspired by persons or events of various historical conflicts. They present a full history and context... In addition, they have a dedicated history channel on youtube! (On that, the history is presented by a very entertaining Indy Neidell, as well as some discussion about the context of the song in focus.)
I love the opening piano here - and experienced ears among you will recognise, I hope, a variation on the riff from Carol Of The Bells; Joakim has inverted it somehow, perhaps playing in reverse? I have listened to this so many times in the past few weeks. And many more of their works - and have decided they will form a thread through the year here, so again, I invite you to open your ears and hearts and minds to the possibilities. There is something operatic and definitely filmic about this band - musically, they are very strong. The poignancy of this event which took place even as the awful noise of war continued all around, is well represented in these symphonic sounds. I do hope you will watch this through. The imagery at the end should be noticed. (Also, there is a beautiful soprano operatic voice for the credits: Floor Jansen. She is Dutch, classically trained, sings for Finnish symphonic metal band, Nightwish... and is married to Hannes, the drummer of Sabaton.)
Joakim's diction is clear, but if you prefer, the lyrics are HERE. As we head into 2023, I pray for peace to fall. It is an eternal prayer and, I fear, will ever remain so...
YEAR-END BONUS!!!
The musical reference to the Carol Of The Bells got me wondering... here is a short film about the history of the music and its original purpose. Very pertinent to the theme building here...
PS - in case you did not see it, or as a reminder, I put out a call to action on the
Christmas Eve Post. I am going to keep placing the link. Please spread the word, and quickly. The Collection Pot is only open until January 13th. Thank you.
