Lest We Forget Our dead rest on the breast of France And all around the world Where by war’s grim or splendid chance Our banners were unfurled: So whether here or overseas Their bodies chance to lie, We pay full honour unto these Who did not fear to die.
Because they dared, because they died We and our nation live, Our liberty, our hope, our pride Were gifts that they could give: And since for all these gifts the price Was life — they held life cheap And blithely made the sacrifice And laid them down to sleep.
O, dead of many wars, who fought With spirit high and pure, The noble structure that you wrought Shall evermore endure! You held your country’s cause above All else: we, unafraid, Will keep your country worthy of The price you gladly paid.
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Published in the Vancouver Sun on June 5,1921. The Berton Braley Cyber Museum has a copy of “Lest We Forget” that you can read online.