HYMNS OF REMEMBRANCE: LEST WE FORGET CD

Lest We Forget… 'God of our fathers, known of old; Lord of our far-flung battle line; Beneath whose awful hand we hold; Dominion over palm and pine; Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget - lest we forget!' - from Recessional, by Rudyard Kipling

The phrasing is old and a little odd, but the truth is just as relevant today as it was when Kipling built his poem around the words. We should not forget the sacrifices made by previous as well as current generations. We should not forget the lives laid down. But we do forget. Memorials become monuments, grief becomes history, individuals become numbers. Times change and we choose to move on from sorrow and suffering. Life, in its way, goes on. In another beautiful poem, Remember, Christina Rossetti wonders out loud about the fragile relationship between grief and memory. Her advice still speaks to us today: 'Yet if you should forget me for a while; And afterwards remember, do not grieve:For if the darkness and corruption leave; A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile; Than that you should remember and be sad.'

There are no more survivors of WWI left alive today. The war itself belongs to a different age, one that denied women the vote and sent preteens out to work. Of course we forget. Yet we are not incapable of remembering. The memories might not be our own, but through songs like these, we can inhabit the world of a century ago as seen through the eyes of faith. And it is important that we do. For all Christians know that it is often in our times of trial and suffering that we, finally stripped of so many distractions, learn what it is to place our trust fully in God. This final poem makes it abundantly clear: 'The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.' - Psalm 34:18 When we reconnect with the type of faith in Christ that holds fast in the midst of the horrors of war, we cannot help but be inspired and empowered.

Tracklist - Disc 1

1. Blessed Assurance
2. Rescue The Perishing
3. How Great Thou Art
4. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Prayer of St. Francis)
5. Abide With Me
6. Lead Kindly Light
7. The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended
8. How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds
9. Soldiers Of Christ Arise
10. Life Is A Journey Long Is The Road
11. Blessed Lord In Thee Is Refuge
12. When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
13. The Old Rugged Cross
14. The Strife Is O’er The Battle Done
15. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
16. Man Of Sorrows
17. God Be With You


Tracklist - Disc 2

1. Safe In The Arms Of Jesus
2. All The Way My Saviour Leads Me
3. Draw Me Nearer
4. A Safe Stronghold Our God Is Still
5. Nearer My God To Thee
6. Safe Home
7. O For A Closer Walk With God
8. Low In The Grave He Lay (Christ Arose)
9. Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
10. Rock Of Ages
11. Saviour Hear Me While Before Thy Feet
12. I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus
13. Lift High The Cross
14. Take My Life And Let It Be
15. Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
16. Out Of My Bondage Sorrow And Night (Jesus I Come)
17. Onward Christian Soldiers

Format: CD, 2 Discs
Puiblished: 22/09/14