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| Bluebells@Westwoods near Marlborough, UK |
'Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.' Micah 4:3b
The Westwoods Forest near Marlborough, UK is verdant with bluebells in the Spring from mid-May onwards. But these fields of bluebells are short-lived and the flowers dropped off in a fortnight. By June if one returns to the Westwoods one will wonder 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone?'
The sad song with the same question was written by Pete Seeger in 1955 using an old Irish melody. In May 1960, Joe Hickerson added two additional verses and made it into its familiar circular song.
The evolution of the song from 1955 to becoming popular in 1963 patterned the development of the Vietnam War as well as the Hippie movement of the 1960s. With the ever-growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War in the US in the 1960s, this song became an anti-war song used in many a anti-war protests throughout the USA.
There is a melancholy tone to it. The music and lyrics circular style with the repetitious 'When will they ever learn?' gives it a kind of forlorn feeling of hopelessness.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
It has been 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and 70 years since Seeger wrote this song. Yet, the world has still not learned from the devastations and untold sufferings wars wrought. The aspiration expressed by the Prophet Micah continues to remain just that, a hope that has not seen reality.
'He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.' Micah 4:3
The sadness of wars is not so much the destruction of property but the loss of lives. Visit any military cemetery, scan the white headstones and marble crosses, lament at the young ages attached to countless names and grief for the lost opportunities, hopes and dreams.
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| Kranji War Memorial, Singapore |
Recently I read in an obituary to a young soldier, these poignant words,
'There is a sacredness in tears.
They are not a mark of weakness but of power.
They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.
They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and unspeakable love.'
Who will weep for the Ukrainian and Russian soldiers who died in the current Ukraine war? If only we obey the words of Jesus Christ,
'But love your enemies, do good to them' Luke 6:35
'You have heard the law that says, "Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. If you love those who love you, what reward is there for that? If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?' Matthew 5:43,44 and 46,47 (NLT)
Lionel
There are fault lines everywhere created by the self-centredness of each person. It is a debilitating disease of sin that only the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit can overcome when we submit our preferences, likes, hates, choices to God. It even happens in the church of God where some prefer chairs while others prefer pews.
ReplyDeleteDr William Wan wrote:
ReplyDeleteThe OT is full of chronicles of wars. The NT prophecies wars and rumours of wars before the coming of the Lord. I have lots of problems wrapping my head around the narratives of war and the way God commanded His people to exterminate all - including animals and innocent children.
Do they trouble you and how do you understand that in the context of a kind and gracious God? As a theologian, I must confess that it is very difficult for me to understand. Perhaps military men may have a helpful perspective?