Every bullet has its billet, Many bullets more than one, God! Perhaps I killed a mother When I killed a mother’s son
Folk stars sing songs from the Trenches
I found there were no songs about hating the enemy
They fought and died in the hell of the trenches.
But the soldiers of the First World War also wrote poetry and sang songs as they endured the mud and threat of imminent death.
As the centenary beckons of the Hundred Day Offensive – when the Allies launched a series of attacks that finally brought the conflict to an end – a special concert commemorating the soldiers’ bravery through song will come to 10 towns and cities around Scotland.
Far, Far From Ypres features a cast of 26 folk stars, including Barbara Dickson and Dick Gaughan, singing songs written or performed in the trenches.
“They are not downbeat, as you might expect, rather they attempt to lift the spirits or provide a mental escape,” said
Ian Mccalman, who devised, wrote and produced the show.
“What surprised me when researching the songs was there was none about hating the enemy. Any criticism and bitterness was directed to the generals and others who gave orders.”
The project began life as a double album 10 years ago and was then developed by Ian, formerly of folk group The Mccalmans, for Celtic Connections.
These latest performances, which begin in Selkirk next month and end in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on Armistice Day, are likely to be the last.
Ian said: “We make sure not to do shows night after night, because it is genuinely emotional. It gets you every time. All of us on stage are crying by the end. I make sure not to look at the audience, because they set me off, too. Even when we get together at my house for rehearsals, we find it quite emotional.”
It is also a subject close to home for the cast. “The story of Barbara Dickson’s uncle, David, came out in a chat.
“He was an underage soldier, joining up at 16. The forces would be aware of that but were happy to believe whatever they were told to get the recruit. He went off to war, got injured, came home, went back again and was killed.
“In the show, to be able to tell the story of someone and then introduce a song to be sung by his niece is quite something. It brings the timescale into perspective. I keep questioning if this can be a direct uncle, but it is. A few months ago, Barbara went over to France and found her uncle’s grave. I think there’s closure in that.”
Ian also has family memories relating to the war. “As I was growing up, my uncle only had one arm and he never explained why. It was later mentioned in hushed tones that it happened in the war. It’s an old cliché but it’s true – the soldiers didn’t talk about what happened.”
Narrated by Radio Scotland presenter Iain Anderson, Far, Far From Ypres – which is delivered by WW100 Scotland in partnership with Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland – shares the hopes, suffering, endurance and fears of the war through the eyes of a fictional soldier.
The script changes for each show, tailored to where it is being performed. Local stories are being requested for each stop on the tour. “Every performance will have local stories, as well as programmes specific to that place,” added Ian. “The first show in Selkirk will include stories about the Borders regiments.
“I was in tears reading a letter I received last week. It was about a father who served in the war but never talked about it to his family, until he opened up one night after a few whiskies.
“He explained that one day, out on the battlefield, he was physically exhausted and was loaded into a wagon with others in the same condition. He fell asleep and woke up to find what he thought for a moment was his pillow was actually the body of a comrade who had passed away.
“When you read stories like that, you realise the trauma the men went through was unbelievable. I’ve always been respectful of remembrance, but learning about what went on has been humbling and something we should never forget.”