A quote from the poem "Recessional" on the dedication plaque alongside the Royal British Legion "Tree" (Peace Memorial) in Mooragh Park in the town of Ramsey. (
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The quote: "LEST WE FORGET" is the refrain of "Recessional". (
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The phrase is often added to the poem "For the Fallen" but did not form part of the original Robert Binyon's original composition of this ode. (
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The phrase as used by Kipling is derived from the Deuteronomy 6:12 in the King James Version of the Bible: "...lest thou forget...". The full line in the Bible is: "Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage." (
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Set out below is the full text of Kipling's "Recessional":
"God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine —
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard;
For frantic boast and foolish word—
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
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The dedication plaque is to the left of the tree and is mounted on a large stone which is roughly pyramidal in shape. The full text of the inscription is shown below:
'THIS TREE WAS PLANTED BY THE
MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
TO COMMEMORATE 50 YEARS PEACE
AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN AND WOMEN
OF RAMSEY WHO SERVED
LEST WE FORGET
20th AUGUST 1995'
The tree is located not far from the St. Paul's Property Services Planter. More information on the planter can be found at the following link: (
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