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Home Youth & Educators History The First World War Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae


© Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1988 Cat. No. V32-23/1988 ISBN 0-662-56211-9

Photo of John McCrae

The Early Years

The South African War

The Young Doctor

In Flanders Fields

The Cost of War

The Flower of Remembrance


IN FLANDERS FIELDS

Photo of poppies
 

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
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

 

"In Flanders Fields" was first published in England's "Punch" magazine in December, 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries.

The poem was written by a Canadian - John McCrae, a doctor and teacher, who served in both the South African War and the First World War.

 
Updated: 2005-7-4