Men of Mourne (V)

 

Brunswick Accordian Band from Annalong Co Down. Playing a piece especially composed for the bands pilgrimage to the battlefields of the Somme. They were following the journies made 100 years before by many young men from their village and surroundings, particularly those who did not return. 

Many of the bands members were able to visit the last resting places of their relatives and pay their respects to them. The tune is entitled appropriately enough "Men of Mourne". It was composed especially for the band just for this occasion at the Menin Gate the memorial to the fallen who were never found. Captain Alex Knox a Scot wrote the music. 

He was for many years a director of music at Kneller Hall. Capt Knox said "When planning the "Men of Mourne", I wanted to represent the Granite Men with a strong melody but have a lilting style to capture the fishing tradition of the village."  

In just four days following the return of the band from Flanders, the clip was visited 16,000 times . 

Enjoy!