Story Behind The Song

My grandfather George Hull and his brother George were in different regiments both fighting at Vimy Ridge in World War I. My grandfather's regiment came back from the front replaced by his brother Arthur's regiment. Arthur's regiment "went over the top" and he was killed. Arthur has his own white cross at the fields of Vimy. I wrote the song as a tribute to tell the story and as an appeal to always remember the debt owed to those who gave their lives that we may live in freedom.

Song Description

A tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War I at Vimy Ridge in France. The song is loosely based on the story of my grandfather George Hull and his brother Arthur who was killed at Vimy Ridge. We owe those who stand in our defense so much.

Lyrics

The Watch (Vimy Ridge)
By Peter G. MacMillan

The sun tries to rise through the mist and rain
As the smoke curls back along the cold troop train
It rattles and it shakes all along a bridge
Across the land on its way to Vimy Ridge
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

How old is the Watch that they must try
To take the ridge and fall and die?
They're scared and green as virgin wood
Afraid to die or draw blood
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

The train stops and the Watch shuffles out
Into lines and counts out
They talk while they march into the trench
That leads up the line to Vimy Ridge
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

Late in the night the order is given
Up to the front line, they pray to heaven
Highlanders stand aside in the trench
As the Watch moves up to Vimy Ridge
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

Comin' back from the Ridge and watching his feet
Doesn't see his brother, their last chance to meet
He can't explain a feeling of dread
As his body breaks out into a cold sweat
But the feeling passes and he wishes again
For the war to be over and a soft bed
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

The Watch went over in the night
They fought and died in the flare's false light
One by one they fell, lives lost like a flood
The Ridge?s cost? Their own spilled blood
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo

The sun tries to rise through the mist and rain
As the smoke curls over this ridge of pain
White crosses stand proof to their quest
Pray only that we never forget
Who-oo, who-oo, who-oo