For The Fallen - Hayley Westenra - Festival of Remembrance 2010

In the presence of Her Majesty The Queen, Hayley Westenra ヘイリー 海莉 sings the World Premiere of the hymn "For The Fallen" composed by Karl Jenkins, at The Festival of Remembrance. The reading is by Bernard Cribbins. The performance took place on November 13th 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall in London and was broadcast on BBC 1 TV and BBC1 HD the same day.



Here is a transcript of the introduction to the performance by BBC announcer Huw Edwards:



"In the final year of the Second World War, a young airman lost his life on a mission over Berlin. It was Pilot Officer Alfryn Jenkins, whose nephew is the eminent composer Karl Jenkins.



For this year's Festival Karl Jenkins has composed a new musical setting for Binyon's timeless words, For The Fallen; it is dedicated to his uncle's memory.



As we prepare to lay the Altar of Drums, can we please give a warm welcome to Hayley Westenra and to Bernard Cribbins, thank you."



Here are the words, by the English poet Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), as performed on this occasion:



With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,

England mourns for her dead across the sea.

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.



Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,

There is music in the midst of desolation

And a glory that shines upon our tears.



They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.



They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them...



This song by Hayley Westenra appears on the CD "The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace - Anniversary Edition" (2010) by Karl Jenkins. It can be purchased from Amazon.co.uk HMV.com iTunes and all good music sellers.