On May 26, the United States celebrated Memorial Day which is a is a federal holiday set aside for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country's armed forces.
To remind us of the importance of this day, a colleague circulated a letter written during the American Civil War by Sullivan Ballou, a Union soldier from Rhode Island:
July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .
Sullivan Ballou died in battle at the first Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 - a week after penning this letter.
On May 26 of this year, the song "Ashq Na Ho" from the 2014 film Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty was released. "Ashq Na Ho" is dedicated to "all the soldiers who have sacrified their families, love, emotions, happiness, hope, friendship, dreams. Its a tribute to every teardrop ever shed."
According to Bollynook.com, the lyrics can be translated as:
Even though You think about me every moment
And feel lonely after I’ve left
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
I know that from tomorrow we’ll be far from each other
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyesIn the coming year, Your eyes will see me
And my (army) uniform will itself speak about my condition
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
Please understand that I am compelled by my duty
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyesI’ll count the moments we spent together while counting stars
I’ll come and meet You in Your dreams
When clouds spread across the sky
When Your heart feels that it’s full of grief
When clouds spread across the sky
In that moment, like a gust of wind, I’ll arrive
In that moment, I’ll touch Your hair, Your eyelashes and Your dress
Your bangles will sing songs about me
And my shadow be cast on Your eyelashes
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
Your tears make me weakI breathe because of You
O Lord! Why did You make this dreadful separation?
Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!
These distances is torturing me
Even when You think about me after I’ve gone away
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyesThe letter in which I wrote to You about all my feelings
Keep it underneath Your pillow when You sleep
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
This separation is just one more custom of the world
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyesIn the coming year, Your eyes will see me
And my uniform will itself speak about my condition
Just don’t let tears fall from Your eyes
Please understand that I am compelled by my duty
The letter and the song reflect the same sentiments even though they were written centuries apart and in different parts of the world.
Here is the song "Ashq Na No" from the film Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty, written by Pritam with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, sung by Arijit Singh, and picturized on Akshay Kumar.
If you liked this, visit our other Music Monday or Akshay Kumar posts.