ANZAC REVERIE 2023: my tribute and call to remembrance

THE OCCASION

#LestWeForget #ANZACDay #RemembranceDay

Three weeks ago, I realized that my newly acquired instrumental skills (guitar and mouth-trumpet) were perfectly suited to a rearrangement of ANZAC REVERIE, which I recorded acapella in 2021. I wasn't happy with that video production, so it's been nice to revisit and upgrade my presentation somewhat. 

THE COSTUME

Costuming has always been a delight to me. I get a lot of fun out of it. My outfit for this performance consists of a shirt-dress and trench coat from my regular daywear, supplemented by a tie acquired for the occasion. I had to put in some serious study to get that thing tied. It's not a skill I've needed before.

I've also been practicing my hairstyling skills for a few weeks. It's been a while since I wrangled an up-do. Watching a few episodes of "Foyle's War" helped me along. I'm quite pleased with the outcome.

THE MUSIC

The melody by jazz trumpeter Nini Rosso is such a delight to sing, and the lyrics, which I wrote over a decade ago, seem to get more relevant with each passing year, especially as we see how many have sleepily forgotten the price of freedom. I hope my music will encourage you as you move forward in your journey awake and remembering.

Here's the video link. Lyrics listed below.

https://youtu.be/e9ftN8dyiJE

Fiat lux!

Narelle

ANZAC REVERIE lyrics by Narelle Worboys 

Anzac Reverie

For you and me

At dawn and at nine,

Blasting storm or balmy shine.

Remember the ones who've gone before, 

Praying for peace and fighting war. 

Chorus:

For them not surrender, that easier peace price,

But defend freedom, uphold the right.

Who chose what's right and what free?

Above us the Highest Authority. 

Anzac Reverie

For you and me

At noon, and when the light

Begins to fade into the night. 

Remember the ones who've gone before, 

The truth that they fought and died for. 

Repeat Chorus 

Anzac Reverie 

For you and me.

Lest we, lest we forget.

Out of the Fire and into the Light: sounds of trouble usher songs of joy

WOULD THE ANZAC SOLDIER SAY,

"Good has come from this day" ?

Has something terrible ever happened to you which afterward you realized made opportunity for good things in your life?

While we remember the great loss of our nation at Gallipoli 100 years ago this ANZAC Day, I'm reminded of my personal loss and the strange way in which they are linked.

Cool atmospheric shot of the help that came when our house got too hot.

This past year I’ve experienced a series of traumas including the loss of 7 years’ worth of images from my four blogs and then a house fire. For eight weeks I camping at a motel while my sooty house was repaired and its surviving contents cleaned.

My life as it was STOPPED. But it turns out that wasn’t such a bad thing. Despite the emotional distress of the upheaval caused by the fire and coping with essential functions of my life being spread around town, I had something of a holiday. Also, a couple of events occurred while I was there that I would not have been part of if I had been at home.

Sue’s ANZAC biscuits, beautifully wrapped and hand-delivered in a basket.

One was ANZAC Day. On 25th April 2014, I was living just a block from the cenotaph. I was able to get to both the Dawn Service and 9am Civic Parade on my own steam, and leave when I was ready. Which, armed with my camera, in the first instance wasn’t until well after everyone else had left. I had the sunrise all to myself.

Dannevirke Cenotaph at Sunrise, 25 April 2014

The fallout of this was a creative project I hope to share with you before much longer*, an ANZAC Day commemorative video featuring Dannevirke children, serving soldiers from Linton Army Camp, and the only remaining war veteran in our district who served in Korea.

*The commemorative video is unfinished because I need 3 things:
1) a video-buff to resolve a video editing issue for me;
2) a male with antipodean accent to record a 2-sentence voice-over;
3) a photographer who can provide two suitable ANZAC- or war-themed photo plates.
If you can help, or know someone who might be interested, please let me know!

Rear view of Alpha Company, 1RNZIR Linton, Dawn Parade, ANZAC Day 2014

But what’s an Anzac video without music? I took my voice recorder into the motel bathroom for an acapella song session, thankful there was almost no traffic that day, and no neighbours to make noises through the wall. The result was a series of melodies on the “freedom” theme, inspired by the beautiful singing of Maori women on an Anzac Day TV program featuring New Zealand tribal anthems. I aim to use one of these in the video.

Narelle’s temporary recording studio, bathroom of #12, Destinations Motel

 Out of what was meant for harm comes good!

"Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men."** "Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."***

Fiat lux! May there be light in your life and in mine, always.
Narelle

**Psalm 107
***James 1:17

New Lyrics Revealed to Iconic New Zealand Love Song

FROM PERSONAL TRAUMA TO PUBLIC DRAMA    [video below]
It took a house fire, a dose of cenotaph memorial on ANZAC Day, and a dash of war history TV programming to bring me to the point of inspiration for this project. I’m still marvelling at what has come of it.

Within two days of being invited to take part in the World War I commemorative concert, I’d written “Women of Courage”, a playlet built around the hymn “Abide with Me”, and a week later, new lyrics for another old and very famous song which I used to open the scene.

DID YOU GUESS?
What iconic New Zealand song was first sung in 1914? I asked this in the last Songuine post. Did you figure it out?

Think Maori love song.

Think Hayley Westenra and Russell Watson at the 2009 World Games opening ceremony in Taiwan. http://youtu.be/4JquxqloDHQ

Think Maisey Rika and the St Joseph’s Girls Choir. http://youtu.be/ITee3lUKYmc

Think Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in “Kiri’s Homecoming”. http://youtu.be/lxvV-yu67cE

You know it, don't you? The mesmerizingly beautiful melody of “Pokarekare Ana” has captivated audiences around the world, and now there are new English lyrics, faithful to the original themes of love and longing, fear and loss, pertinent then in 1914 and to us now in 2014.

Here it is.

MY BELOVED, HE HAS GONE AWAY (tune of “Pokarekare Ana”) 
All rights reserved to Narelle Worboys, copyright ©2014

[Verse]
My beloved, he has gone away,
Gone to fight a freedom war,
Enduring dangers night and day.
I fear he may return no more.

[Chorus]
Evil tears the world apart.
Is there courage in my heart
To march on ‘til victory?
Oh God,
Bring him safe to me.

[Chorus repeat]
I want him here
Holding me near.
I love him, I love him so.
Help me let him go.

I regret that I'm unable to offer you better audio-visual quality, but here's a recording of the actual performance at the Town Hall, reportedly moving many people to tears (including me) and rated as the best piece of the night.

https://youtu.be/3uA_3AlicCY

In whatever sphere or circumstance you are, "may God give you courage and strength to pursue truth and love and freedom. May He give you a daily portion to live every moment and fulfil every task with joy and grace, and faith to always carry on."*

Fiat lux.
Narelle

*The Blessing from "Women of Courage".



MORE ABOUT
Pokarekare Ana, New Zealand’s unofficial national anthem
http://youtu.be/xgRVK2ge1ys

'Pokarekare Ana' (Come Back to Me) is the beautiful love song of a homesick soldier serving in the Maori Battalion during World War I. Its heartfelt expression of longing for home and loved ones immediately touched his fellow countrymen, who adopted the haunting melody as their own. A century later, it is still a poignant musical touch-stone for any New Zealander, at home or abroad.
 

"Women of Courage" publicity and reviews

Here's what critics and audience say about "Women of Courage", the World War I commemorative playlet by Narelle Worboys, which debuted at the Dannevirke Town Hall in New Zealand on 3 August 2014.

From Facebook:

From "Dannevirke News" published in "Hawkes Bay Today" on Saturday, 9 August 2014.
Reviewed by Christine McKay, titled "War Concert Pays Tribute".

From "The Bush Telegraph", published on Monday, 11 August 2014.
Reviewed by Dave Murdoch, titled "Commemorative Concert Captivates.

What will be our legacy?

I've been enjoying the opportunity to see an excellent NZ historical documentary, "Making New Zealand". Last night the final episode closed with this statement: "THE QUESTION IS: WHAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY?"

My sentiments exactly, and the thought forming the foundation for the Anzac commemorative video I've been working on since April 24th.

WHAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY? Photo credit: Dannevirke Facebook

Music Project Teaser

Here's a hint of what’s coming...

This is the hat that sparked Narelle’s inspiring ANZAC commemorative poem for modern man, “Red Rose, Red Poppy”.

The hat that sparked a flurry of Anzac-themed creativity

 Just ten days after experiencing a house fire, Narelle was glad to find that her red knitted cap with its red and gold organza rose had escaped soot damage.

She says, "Thank you to the thoughtful donor who provided me with red poppies to wear on ANZAC Day!"

Anzac Remembrance: Australian Lighthorse kept alive by Tasmanian brigade

In the lead up to Anzac Day, it's great to remind ourselves of the dedication and courage of individuals who collectively made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today. Here's an introduction to the Australian Lighthorsemen who were key factors in the liberation of Jerusalem during the World War I.

Nevill Thomas and the members of the Tasmanian Lighthorse gallop with sabre and lance, keeping alive the horsemanship and the spirit of the Light Horse.

Nevill and his fellow horsemen share a passion for keeping alive the memory of the Tasmnanian Light Horse from Australia's past. They take part in parades and events around the state, demonstrating the skills the Light Horsemen practiced for combat.

Martin Gibson created this video for ABC Open's My Crazy Passion project.

If you're wondering why I would post this on my music blog, it's because I'm nurturing a dream to make an Anzac music video featuring the Tasmanian Lighthorse. I know several of the reenactors you see in this video. I've embarked on a collaboration with a mobile recording studio. Now to find a filmmaker...