The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Poetry - 65. ...how our noble Willie fell...

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John William Grout,

in the photo the young man gave to Washburn himself

Composer George Root set it to music and moved the entire nation, both North and South. Here is a straightforward, but emotionally charged recording of the song.

This poem is sometimes read at military formals (Dining-In, Mess Night, Regimental Dinners) near the Missing Man Table (later known as the Fallen Soldier Table) which is always set in remembrance of fallen service members, POWs or MIAs. That table is now sometimes set at chain restaurants, civic events, schools, etc. and has unfortunately lost the significant meaning along the way. 

I appreciate you sharing this poem on this very important day and understanding exactly what it means. 

Thank you for choosing this particular poem for today. It is especially apt, for precisely the reasons you and @84Magspoint out. Thanks also for linking us to the George Root setting of the poem, which is what I encountered first in life. As a young college vocal student, it was included in my final recital repertoire. 

On 5/30/2022 at 8:14 AM, 84Mags said:

This poem is sometimes read at military formals (Dining-In, Mess Night, Regimental Dinners) near the Missing Man Table (later known as the Fallen Soldier Table) which is always set in remembrance of fallen service members, POWs or MIAs. That table is now sometimes set at chain restaurants, civic events, schools, etc. and has unfortunately lost the significant meaning along the way. 

I appreciate you sharing this poem on this very important day and understanding exactly what it means. 

Thank you, 84Mags! I think that as Americans we are rather poor in honoring traditions. It's nice to think, like the vacant chair, that we can muster it when remembering our fallen. Thanksgiving itself is about the best tradition Americans keep, and few realize it was the Civil War and its aftereffects that made the holiday what it is for us. 

Thanks again for your comments. They are always appreciated!  

On 5/30/2022 at 11:01 AM, Parker Owens said:

Thank you for choosing this particular poem for today. It is especially apt, for precisely the reasons you and @84Magspoint out. Thanks also for linking us to the George Root setting of the poem, which is what I encountered first in life. As a young college vocal student, it was included in my final recital repertoire. 

Thank you, Parker. It's wonderful you have a personal history with George Root's musical setting of the poem. I feel Root's handling of the verse is simple and direct, which adds tremendously to the intimacy present in Washburn's original lamentation for the young man. It's touching. 

Thanks again for reading and commenting. Your input is always appreciated