piddflicks's video: A Lament: The Flowers of the Forest

For the British and Commonwealth Armies, especially of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the presence of regiments either from Scotland or in the Scottish tradition eventually led to the incorporation of the ritual 'Lament For The Fallen' with the pipes playing the ancient and haunting Scots tune, 'The Flowers of the Forest'. It is commonly played for Remembrance following the Last Post. Written by Jean Elliot in 1756, the words of the lament refer to the death of James IV and over 10,000 Scottish warriors at the battle against the English at Flodden in 1513. At the loss of their young men, the women grieve: I've heard the lilting, at the yowe-milking, Lassies a-lilting before dawn o' day; But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning; The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. Today, this sorrowful lament is played for all of our young men and women and comrades who have made the supreme sacrifice in battle. They are gone away. 'Their Name Liveth Forevermore'