I Vow To Thee My Country, For Brass Ensemble By Gustav Holst

This Memorial Day Weekend, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Remembrance is done through music. We have borrowed much from the British, including the tradition of wearing a poppy in remembrance, as well as music.

Written in 1918, ‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’ remains one of the most popular British hymns to this day. It was first sung at St. Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, London, where Holst taught, and later became the school’s official hymn.

Now, it is most strongly associated with Remembrance Day, being performed at services across the UK and the rest of the Commonwealth. It has been used at various state and other high-profile funerals, including those of former Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.