Guillaume Détrez

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields is a play recounting the Battle of Vimy Ridge (France) which took place from April 9 to 12, 1917. The introduction refers to the thousands of graves found at the site of Notre-Dame de Lorette. Then begins the episode of preparation and fierce battle. Thanks to the Canadian Expeditionary Force that came as reinforcements, the battle was won and the site secured at 6 a. m. (brass choir accompanied by 6 bells). The title of this work also refers to a poem by John Mac Rae located at the entrance to the memorial museum.

“In Flanders Fields”
By Col. John McCrae,
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