In Flanders Fields, and Other Poems by John McCrae
Title page and introductory matter
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
by John McCrae
[Canadian Poet, 1872-1918]
WITH AND ESSAY IN CHARACTER
by Sir Andrew Macphail
[This text is taken from the New York edition of 1919.]
John McCrae, physician, soldier, and poet, died in France a Lieutenant-Colonel with the Canadian forces.
The poem which gives this collection of his lovely verse its name has been extensively reprinted, and received with unusual enthusiasm.
The volume contains, as well, a striking essay in character by his friend, Sir Andrew Macphail.
{Although the poem itself is included shortly, this next section is included for completeness, and to show John McCrae's punctuation — also to show that I'm not the only one who forgets lines. — A. L.}
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies grow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place: and in the sky The larks still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The Torch: be yours to hold it high! If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
John McCrae
{From a} Facsimile of an autograph copy of the poem "In Flanders Fields"
This was probably written from memory as "grow" is used in place of "blow" in the first line.
CONTENTS
Contents With Dates of Origin
In Flanders Fields
The Anxious Dead The Warrior Isandlwana The Unconquered Dead The Captain The Song of the Derelict Quebec Then and Now Unsolved The Hope of My Heart Penance Slumber Songs The Oldest Drama Recompense Mine Host Equality Anarchy Disarmament The Dead Master The Harvest of the Sea The Dying of Pere Pierre Eventide Upon Watts' Picture "Sic Transit" A Song of Comfort The Pilgrims The Shadow of the Cross The Night Cometh In Due Season
JOHN MCCRAE I. In Flanders Fields
II. With the Guns Here ends the account of his part in this memorable battle, And here follow some general observations upon the experience: A few strokes will complete the picture: And here is one last note to his mother: At this time the Canadian division was moving south to take its share in This phase of the war lasted two months precisely,
III. The Brand of War
IV. Going to the Wars
V. South Africa The next entry is from South Africa: The next letter is from the Lines of Communication: Three weeks later he writes: With Ian Hamilton's column near Balmoral. At Lyndenburg:
VI. Children and Animals
VII. The Old Land and the New
VIII. The Civil Years
IX. Dead in His Prime
Contents
In Flanders Fields 1915
The Anxious Dead 1917
The Warrior 1907
Isandlwana 1910
The Unconquered Dead 1906
The Captain 1913
The Song of the Derelict 1898
Quebec 1908
Then and Now 1896
Unsolved 1895
The Hope of My Heart 1894
Penance 1896
Slumber Songs 1897
The Oldest Drama 1907
Recompense 1896
Mine Host 1897
Equality 1898
Anarchy 1897
Disarmament 1899
The Dead Master 1913
The Harvest of the Sea 1898
The Dying of Pere Pierre 1904
Eventide 1895
Upon Watts' Picture "Sic Transit" 1904
A Song of Comfort 1894
The Pilgrims 1905
The Shadow of the Cross 1894
The Night Cometh 1913
In Due Season 1897
John McCrae An Essay in Character by Sir Andrew Macphail