Photo – Library of Congress
Memorial Day was created to honor fallen soldiers of the Civil War-and was originally called Decoration Day. John L. Logan is largely responsible for organizing the day, and in 1868 declared:
The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
As time-and wars-went by people began honoring all fallen soldiers on the day-no matter when or how they had served their country. In 1971 Congress officially declared Memorial Day to be an official holiday occurring on the last Monday in May-to honor all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice serving in the Armed Forces of The United States of America.
Paul and Pap learned the song Tear Drops Falling in the Snow from Laurie Lewis. We uploaded our version to youtube back in 2010. It has garnered over 40,000 views and is one of our most popular videos.
Molly O’Day had a hit with the song in the early 40s. Porter Wagoner cut the song as well. I’ll warn you-it’s a real tearjerker.
TEARDROPS FALLING IN THE SNOW
Page by page our lives are written
In the Master’s book above
Wonder if he makes an entry
For each darlin’ mother’s love
Like the one I saw this mornin’
Enter though the station door
She was cryin’, softly cryin’
Teardrops falling in the snow
As she walked up to the window
Passing me, I let her through
She was waiting for a casket
One draped in red white & blue
Then she said “I’ll wait outside, Sir
Soon I know your train will blow”
I could see her through the window
Teardrops falling in the snow
Then the whistle of the engine
Broke the silence of the air
As it pulled into the station
On her lips there was a prayer
On the box there was a number
And a name inscribed below
As she gazed upon the casket
Teardrops fell upon the snow
There’s a new-made grave a-waiting
And it’s walls are dark and cold
Just to claim this mother’s darlin’
War for her has taken toll
But I’m sure they’ll meet in heaven
Where God’s children always go
And I always will remember
Teardrops falling in the snow
And I always will remember
Teardrops falling in the snow
What a song-I warned you it was a tearjerker. But as Pap would say there needs to be a few tears jerked for those who stand in the gap and pay the ultimate sacrifice so that I don’t have to.
Tipper
As the late Ray Davis, a disc jockey on WAMU in Washington, DC would say, that is a plumb pitiful song, but your dad had it right also. My father was killed in Germany on Nov. 25, 1944 in the Battle of the Huertgen Forest as a replacement infantryman on his first day on the line. He is buried in Henri-Chappel American Cemetery in Belgium. When it later came time for mom to decide whether to have him repatriated to America and reburied here, she decided to have him remain in Belgium. His mother was alright with that decision also. My younger bother and I were, of course, not aware of any of those decisions; I was only three when he was killled, and mom was 23. This song reminds me of “He’s Coming to Us Dead” by the Dry Branch Fire Squad. Thanks for posting this!
Oh my…how wonderful! I could listen to them sing and play all day.
I love this version of this song.
Where can I buy the audio version?
Can’t find it on iTunes or CD baby.
Beautiful. Blessings upon all our soldiers.
Beautiful, just beautiful!!!
God bless.
RB
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I just love those two strummers – their every song is heartfelt, especially this one. Who is the young fellow on the mandolin?
I’m a war veteran. My army company of 250 lost about a dozen killed. This holiday, and this lovely and poignant song, carries me back in remembrance to those who lost their lives, and to those who returned, wounded for life.
I have been listening to a song “Robe of White” recorded by Pap and his brother Ray. It was also recorded by the Louvin Brothers (I like the Wilson Brothers better.)
It’s about a little lady waiting at the door for the postman. She is waiting for good news from her soldier son but that is not to be. At least the mother in “Tear Drops Falling in the Snow” got to bury her child. This mother can only pray for Jimmy’s soul and that someone will put a flower on his grave.
Beautiful Tipper. A few teardrops fell here as well.
Tipper,
It always helps to have the history and words written out. I can’t hear real good, so it makes singing much more enjoyable.
Thank You to All the Veterans as we Celebrate Tomorrow.
Since I listen to several Preachers on Sunday mornings,
there was this one talking on our
local radio station and he said
he might never have heard “Little
White Church”, but for a couple
of Wilson Brothers from Brasstown. I thought that was
nice…Ken
god bless all of our veterans and their sacrifices.
beautiful song, I could listen all day.
much love to you all
lynn
Wonderful song, and well done. I agree with Pap, those who have stood in the gap and has made the sacrifice.. A few tears is the very least we can do for them..
This songs puts a face on the sacrifices many have made that so many do not think about. Those who served and their contributions are to soon forgotten by the majority but songs like this remind us that they have family who remember them as the real individuals who were loved and contributed to their family unit and not just a flag draped coffin with a number and a name. Great Job.
As I read the words and listened to the song, I wondered how many mothers it could have been written for.
I can’t wait until Pap is able to pick up his guitar and get back in the kitchen and on the stage!
Such a beautiful tribute and so well sung! This is a perfect tribute to those who gave their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful! Honor to our fallen!