When I first watched the movie "We Were Soldiers" I was very moved by the music in the ending credits, so much so that I searched for more information. I learned that the name of the piece that was performed by the West Point cadet glee club was titled "
Mansions of the Lord".
The words to
"Mansions of the Lord" were written by the producer/director of the "We Were Soldiers" movie, Randall Wallace and set to the music of Nick Glennie-Smith, who composed all the original music in "We Were Soldiers".
I was even more moved by
"Mansions of the Lord" when it was performed as the processional at Ronald Reagan's funeral.
After having performed
"Mansions of the Lord" for the movie, the West Point cadet glee club adopted the hymn as one of their official hymns.
In the end credits music of "We Were Soldiers" there is also an excerpt of the
"Sgt. MacKenzie" lament, written and sung by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie.
The story behind
"Sgt. MacKenzie" is an interesting one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._MacKenzie http://compuball.com/av/sgtmackenzie.htm
You can listen to the ending credits music from "We Were Soldiers" including
"Mansions of the Lord" and an excerpt of
"Sgt. MacKenzie" at the following site:
http://compuball.com/av/mansionsofthelord.htm
I encourage you to listen to the music while reading the lyrics. I think you will find them very moving.
"The Mansions of the Lord"
Words by Randall Wallace
To fallen soldiers let us sing
where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
to the mansions of the Lord
No more bleeding no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
just divine embrace, eternal light
in the mansions of the Lord
Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard tho the angels sleep
All through the ages safely keep the mansions of the Lord
__________________________________________________
(excerpt from "Sgt. MacKenzie" by Joseph Kilna MacKenzie)
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me
-_____________________________
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me
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