At The Going Down Of The Sun Quote
Introduction
The phrase "At the going down of the sun" is a line from a famous poem that has become synonymous with honoring the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. The poem is recited at military funerals and memorial services around the world, and the quote has become a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in service to their country.
The Origin of the Quote
The quote comes from the fourth stanza of the poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon, which was first published in The Times newspaper on September 21, 1914, just weeks after the outbreak of World War I. The poem was written as a tribute to those who had already died in the war, and it has since become one of the most famous war poems of all time.
The Meaning of the Quote
The line "At the going down of the sun" refers to the end of the day, when the sun sets and darkness falls. The phrase is often used in reference to the end of a life or a period of time, and it carries a sense of finality and closure. In the context of the poem, the line is used to mark the passing of those who have died, and to honor their sacrifice.
The Significance of the Quote
The quote has become a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in service to their country, and it is often used in military funerals and memorial services. It is a way of honoring the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for their country, and it serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom.
The Full Text of the Poem
The full text of "For the Fallen" is as follows:
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Conclusion
The quote "At the going down of the sun" has become a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in service to their country. It is a way of honoring the sacrifices of those who have given their lives for their country, and it serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom. The full text of the poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon is often recited at military funerals and memorial services, and it has become one of the most famous war poems of all time.