The Flowers of the Forest
The Flowers of the Forest is a very old tune, perhaps dating from the sixteenth century. Its alternative title is Lament after Flodden. The battle of Flodden, one of the many between England and Scotland, took place on September 9, 1513. In the battle, Scottish casualties may have been as high as 12,000 killed, including James IV and many nobles. The tune, particularly when played on the bagpipes, is very moving. It is the official lament of the Canadian armed forces. My husband and I heard it played on Juno Beach on the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day.