to really not like the military wive's song...

[KittyFane]

I LOVE Gareth Malone and love choirs and I think it's great how he has put it all together but I don't like the song at all.
I feel unreasonable as I am being made to feel ( by constant press/ radio coverage) that I should love it.
I don't even like it.
Anyone else or just me?

well said.

oh i agree, esta. but the point is that the song was written from the wives' letters, and is sung by the wives. they can't help who they fell in love with, and you're calling their genuine feelings cheap sentimentalism, which i think it unduly harsh.

It is LRD, but that word feels wrong too - loaded as it is.

No, I don't for a moment believe anyone meant any of it to be offensive.

Not every one joins the Forces to be an Infantry Soldier. My Technician DH wears wedgewood blue! (when he isn't in MTP)

Yes, I know what you mean sue, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the word either.

I think the point aitch makes, that the women don't choose who they fall in love with, is really important. It's very nasty to call it sentimentalism or cheap.

Those of you who don't like the use of the words Prince Of Peace, it's not being meant in an offensive way. IMO anyway. Until you've actually sat down and written a letter to someone in a war zone, when you live every day with the thought that there could be that knock on your door, then words start to mean something when they are writteen down, and we often use words to convey what we feel when phone calls ar elimited to 30 mintes a week and there's no internet connection for a few days

I do take that point LRD

saltire - I for one am sure it is not meant in an offensive way.

It is a term I find awkward, though. I'm sorry, I can see what you're saying about trying to find words, but I can't quite get over the term and the associations it has for me religiously, and this context.

But that is my personal feeling, and IMO in this context of the song, my feelings aren't the point really - it's how you feel and how other women and families feel.

Ginger - and mine!

No misaltire, I do understand that. But I think, out of all the sentiments in those letters, picking a phrase that appears to liken the men to Jesus and the ultimate in peace-keeping was ill-judged.

Nothing to do with the wife who wrote the letter or the choir singing it, I'm aware it wasn't their choice.

I nearly started a thread about this earlier and thought I'd leave it as I'd only get a massive flaming. I loved the telly programme and think it is for a great cause and also want to shag Gareth senseless but agree that there are some major tuning problems.

It's just the 'if you're not with us, you're against us' attitude, coupled with the 'Our Boys' mentality that I find difficult. Those in the Armed Forces haven't been conscripted, they've signed up through choice. I don't see them as any braver than working for the Ambulance service, Fire Brigade or Police. Yet those Services don't seem to use sentimentalism to garner support.

i definitely went 'erk' when i heard it, and am surprised in a way that it was included, just because presumably they had acres of lyrics to choose from. but i do not doubt for a second that those women mean it from the tips of their toes when they sing it, and i find that emotion quite compelling.

herbie and miSaltire I have come across you both a lot in the last few days, The MN techie wives' club!

It is fab, I love it, you cynics can have your x factor crap
I don't like the X factor crap either.

Just to throw another log on the fire wanted to know also, why were they singing it at Downing Street today? Was it to make a point or is Dave using them as part of his ghastly PR programme?

Yes, I don't think those cynical of marketing and about tuning are going to be massive XF fans either .

Our Armed Forces haven't got the opportunity to strike when their pensions are messed with.

But they are called in to burn animal carcasses during Foot and Mouth and stand in for the Fire Service when they go on strike.

Wethreekings oy, join the queue!! ( I am talking about * ing the lovely Gareth BTW)
:o

KittyFane it was the traditional lunch with the Services today, lads from my DH's work were sent to it. It's an annual thing.

Well said Ginger! (My husband soldiers in a blue beret!)

Apologies herbietea - the armed forces then.

I think people in the services (wives too) are routinely exploited by a media who do not portray conflict and war accurately and honestly. I am sure there are plenty of women married to servicemen - and women serving in the forces too - whose arses must clench whenever they hear this.

And now Cameron has got them to warble at Downing St. Well well.
That'll help distract people from asking why we have pissed away in excess of £20billion in Afghanistan alone.

Didnt read all the pages but YABU for putting your apostrophe in the wrong place.

Thanks Ginger :) I am v cynical when it comes to anything Dave related. I was hoping Gareth Malone and his choir wern't being used in some sort of political PR stunt.