Hello!
For today’s post, I’m showing you another behind the scenes moment for my upcoming debut, FLIGHT BEFORE DAWN (launching November 14th from a division of Macmillan).
Perhaps, you’ve noticed the music in my book trailer. The music is from Jupiter by Gustav Holst. This particular section of that music also belongs to a hymn, “I Vow to Thee My Country.” Sir Cecil Spring Rice penned the words to the hymn as a poem and it was then set to the music of Holst. Rice has an interesting history as a British diplomat, who served as an ambassador to the United States during the years of the first world war.
Here are the words to the hymn
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| Let us remember them and live in peace. |
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago,Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.
The other reason why I chose the inclusion of this piece of music for my trailer is because this hymn is often used in remembrance celebrations for the two world wars. Whenever I hear it, it stirs in me a poignancy of remembering, of being urged to never forget. In my writing, I aim to do that as well, to never forget so that we might live more fully in the peace they dreamed of.
FLIGHT BEFORE DAWN is now available for pre-order in ebook! Hardcover and Paperback are coming soon. Author Keely-Keith is also featuring me on her blog today!
My best to you all,
Megan