WHY NOT A SONG IN WAR TIME?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3044, 3 April 1917, Page 10

WHY NOT A SONG IN WAR TIME?

WHAT MR. LLOYD GEORGE SATS. The following is culled from the Right Hon. Lloyd Goorge's speech at the recent Eisteddfod; . "Why should we not sing during the war? The blinds of Britain are' not down yet, nor are they likely to be. The honour of Britain is not dead, her might is rnot broken, her destiny iVnot fuTfilleu, her ideals have not' been shattered by her enemies. She is more than alive, she is more potent; she ib greater thaD ever she ; was. Her dominions are wider, her influence is deeper, her purpose is more exalted than ever. Why should- not her children We know -that war -means suffering.; war means sorrow. Darkness has fallen on many a devoted household. But it has been ordained that tho best singer amongst the birds of Britain should give nis song in thie night. And, according to legend, that sweet song is ft song of trramph over pain. We do not Deed this exquisite songster -in Wales ; we can provide a better. There is a bird in our village which can beat 'the _.best : . ; :.of / them. ' He : called Ycymro. He sings is joy, he sings, also iiTsorrow; he sings in prosperity, ho sings in adversity; he sings at play, he-sings at work; he sings in the sunshine, he sings in tho stoi-m; he sings in peace, why fhould he not sing ,in the war? Hundreds of wars have swept over these hills, Jut tho Harp of Wales has never yet ; been silenced. The storm is raging as fiery as ever, but now there is i shimmer of. sunshine over the waves; there is a rainbow over the tumult of the surging waters. The struggle'is more terrible than it has ever been; biit the legions' of the oppressor are bsing driven back, and the banner of right .is pressing forward. Why should we not sing ? It is true there are thousands of gallant men falling in tie fight, but let us sing of their heroism.. There are myriads more sanding in. the battle-line facing the foe, and myriads more behind ready to support them when their turn comes. Let us sing to the land that gave birth to so many heroes." ,