In Flanders' Fields

Here is the complete version of John McCrae's poem, written in 1915, the inspiration for Poppy Day.

These sailors are taking part in a service of Remembrance.

Courtesy of The Royal British Legion.

In Flanders' Fields

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders' Fields.

John McCrae, 1915.

To find out more about poppies and Remembrance Day, check out Show Me's What Is Remembrance Day? story.

To find out more about the poet, take a look at these John McCrae web pages from Canada. Many thanks to Show Me reader Kevin Wright for sending in this link. The pages are written for adults, but are clear and easy to find your way around.