Haydn’s Mass in Times of War

Today, as part of the 100 year memory of World War 1, the Edinburgh University Music Society Chorus gave a concert in Edinburgh’s St. Cuthbert’s Parish Church. The programme was clearly centred on the topic of war, with “Haydn’s Mass In Times of War” and three songs by Ashton, Ireland and Johnston.

Singing the words of Johnston’s “No man’s land” did leave a lasting impression on me:

“But here in this graveyard it’s still No Man’s Land,
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand.
To man’s blind indifference to his fellow man.
And a whole generation who were butchered and damned.”