The Poppy Song!

[Just-Jude]

How much more rubbish are they going to inflict on us in the name of charity?

Do people actually go out and buy this sentimental slush?

Why are we happy to sing about people getting blown to bits?

http://www.itv.com/news/2013-10-23/military-children-to-release-2013-poppy-appeal-single/

[FredPuli43]

Well, I support AOG. Surely I am not alone. The song is not good, but I shall be there collecting or transporting collectors on the day. I shall, of course, be wearing my medals and honours, the principal one of which is the Order of Simon Bolivar (second class). You didn't expect me to have a British medal, did you? You don't get them in the CCF .I am hoping for puzzled enquiries; it should be a chance to engage people and get more money out of them.

[anneasquith]

if there has to be a poppy song, film it in a military hospital, maybe in the operating theatre :(

[Mamyalynne]

Sticking to the OP, most songs for charity are by nature rather cheesy and will likely always be so - if it raises money for a good cause, where is the harm ?

[jno]

You don't get them in the CCF

eBay, on the other hand...

[B00]

There's no harm Mamya, no one said there was, we're just saying that we don't particularly like charity songs. And no, before anyone says it again, it also doesn't mean we don't support the charity either.

[maggiebee]

My daughter knits and sells poppy brooches. Money raised goes to Help for Heroes and she raised almost £200 last year.

[Mamyalynne]

I realise nobody mentioned 'harm' was just a bit disappointed to see another thread fall apart with argy bargy - I don't care for them much either yet as everyone here has said have always supported this cause amongst many.

[FredPuli43]

Forgot. I have a British medal, a Waterloo medal, but I think that might be embarrassing. I am not THAT old, contrary to appearances, and I am not a descendant of the man who gained it.

[Mamyalynne]

I spent most of my formative years at the TA Barracks my father was with after he came out of the regulars, then he became heavily involved with The RBL as did I, a worthwhile cause indeed.

Well done to her, I have made a few Poppy corsages over the years and treated myself to the lovely Buckley Brooch from the Poppy Shop too - still put money in the collection box each year too.

[B00]

I like the idea of a knitted poppy! :-)

[Zeuhl]

/My daughter knits and sells poppy brooches....

Money raised goes to Help for Heroes/

LOL

The Royal British Legion would love that !!!

[FredPuli43]

Where in that song are they happy to sing about people being blown to bits?

It's about no need to say goodbye. That glosses over the fact that they give their tomorrows for our today, to put it at its highest, or simply that they died for no good reason but doing their duty, to put it at its lowest.

[derekpara]

Why don't posters stick to the question instead of writing a lot of irrelevent drivel ; put it on Chatterbank.

If you don't like the song then don't buy it. It's just well-intentioned effort to raise money for a worthy cause.

D

[ChillDoubt]

Have to say I'm in full agreement with AOG and Sqad.

The image of children being strangled in ANY context doesn't conjure up any sort of 'jokey' image to be chuckled over, nor does calling their efforts 'horrible'.

OK, it's never going to go down as a classic but it's still 10 times better than the majority of sh!te that passes as 'entertainment' on the X Factor, Britain's (Not) Got Talent etc.
Slagging off kids is very low, particularly those whose parents serve this country selflessly, deployed wherever they are told to go and have no particular affiliation to a political party, they serve whichever Government is elected. They do so in order that democracy and freedoms enjoyed by so many are preserved and maintained, like so many of their forebears before them.
They are in all probability heroes to their kids who've made this record, yet few (if any) would deem themselves such.

How many of us could say the same?

[maggiebee]

Yes Zeuhl the Royal British Legion do love that. Fully aware and supportive.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I can't abide most charity songs and if I ever hear the soldier's wives again it will be too soon.
As Jon Lydon so rightly points out in the Anchor butter advert, "their career choice".
I noticed some jewellery poppies on sale the other days for 15 quid a pop. They were lovely and I would wear one but it did make be wonder if 15 pounds now would stop me (with at least 30 years to go) from ever buying a poppy again and if it was a false economy for raising funds.
I am also deeply put off by organisations who you already donate to calling you and asking for more. It's as if they are telling you your voluntary contribution isn't good enough and if they persist, I stop giving to them altogether.

[emmie]

buy a poppy and wear it with pride. I never buy charity records.

[bazwillrun]

One of the very few charities i will support, get one every year.
although it does seem harder each year to find a seller outside the stores

[boxtops]

I knit poppies too, it's something different. As long as the income goes to the nominated charity, it doesn't matter what sort of poppy you wear, it's a mark of respect too. RBL are keen to keep their profile high, their essential activity with ex-service people has been somewhat overshadowed by HfH recently - it's not just a bunch of old blokes (as was described on the radio earlier this week).

[AB Editor]

"One of the very few charities i will support, get one every year.
although it does seem harder each year to find a seller outside the stores"

I agree. I think I had to drive somewhere to find a seller!

I think we have a discussion every year about whether the Poppy should be retired as a symbol when the last WW2 vet has passed on - should we have a poll on it this year?