”Le drapeau belge” is a recitation with orchestral accompaniment written by the English composer Edward Elgar

Edward Elgar

Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...

 as his Op. 79, in 1917. The words are by the Belgian poet Émile Cammaerts

Émile Cammaerts

Émile Leon Cammaerts was a Belgian poet.He became Professor of Belgian Studies at the University of London in 1933, and his papers are held there in Senate House Library....

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It was first performed at the birthday concert for King Albert

Albert I of Belgium

Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...

 in the Queen's Hall

Queen's Hall

The Queen's Hall was a concert hall in Langham Place, London, opened in 1893. Designed by the architect T.E. Knightley, it had room for an audience of about 2,500 people. It became London's principal concert venue. From 1895 until 1941, it was the home of the promenade concerts founded by Robert...

, London, on April 14 1917, with the recitation by Belgian dramatic performer Carlo Liten, and the orchestra conducted by Hamilton Harty

Hamilton Harty

Sir Hamilton Harty was an Irish and British composer, conductor, pianist and organist. In his capacity as a conductor, he was particularly noted as an interpreter of the music of Berlioz and he was much respected as a piano accompanist of exceptional prowess...

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On August 15 1918, Le drapeau belge and Carillon

Carillon (Elgar)

”Carillon” is a recitation with orchestral accompaniment written by the English composer Edward Elgar as his Op. 75, in 1914. The words are by the Belgian poet Émile Cammaerts....

were performed with success at a popular concert in Prospect Park

Prospect Park (Brooklyn)

Prospect Park is a 585-acre public park in the New York City borough of Brooklyn located between Park Slope, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Kensington, Windsor Terrace and Flatbush Avenue, Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden...

, Brooklyn

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...

, with the recitations by Carlo Liten.

Lyrics

The poem reflects on the wartime meaning of the colours of the Belgian flag

Flag of Belgium

The national flag of Belgium contains three equal vertical bands of black , yellow, and red. The colours were taken from the colours of the Duchy of Brabant, and the vertical design may be based on the flag of France....

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The original words were in French, and an English translation was provided by Lord Curzon of Kedleston

George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston

George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, KG, GCSI, GCIE, PC , known as The Lord Curzon of Kedleston between 1898 and 1911 and as The Earl Curzon of Kedleston between 1911 and 1921, was a British Conservative statesman who was Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary...

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Français LE DRAPEAU BELGE 1. Rouge pour le sang des soldats, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Noir pour les larmes des mères, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Et jaune pour la lumière Et l'ardeur des prochains combats. Au drapeau, mes enfants, La patrie vous appelle, Au drapeau, serrons les rangs, Ceux qui meurent, vivent pour elle! 2. Rouge pour la pourpre héroïque, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Noir pour le voile des veuves, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Jaune pour l'orgueil épique, Et le triomphe après l'épreuve. Au drapeau, au drapeau, La patrie vous appelle, Il n'a jamais flotte si haut, Elle n'a jamais été si belle! 3. Rouge pour la rage des flammes, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Noir pour la cendre des deuils, - Noir, jaune et rouge - Et jaune pour le salut de l'âme Et l'or fauve de notre orgueil. Au drapeau, mes enfants, La patrie vous bénit. Il n'a jamais été si grande Que depuis qu'il est petit, Que depuis qu'il brave la mort.

English THE BELGIAN FLAG 1. Red for the blood of soldiers, - Black, yellow and red - Black for the tears of mothers, - Black, yellow and red - And yellow for the light and flame Of the fields where the blood is shed! To the glorious flag, my children, Hark! the call your country gives, To the flag in serried order! He who dies for Belgium lives! 2. Red for the purple of heroes, - Black, yellow and red - Black for the veils of widows, - Black, yellow and red - Yellow for the shining crown Of the victors who have bled! To the flag, the flag, my children, Hearken to your country's cry! Never has it shone so splendid, Never has if flown so high! 3. Red for the flames in fury, - Black, yellow and red - Black for the mourning ashes, - Black, yellow and red - And yellow of gold, as we proudly hail The spirits of the dead! To the flag, my sons! Your country with her blessing "Forward" cries! Has it shrunken? No, when smallest, Larger, statelier it flies! Is it tattered? No, 'tis stoutest!

Recordings

• Elgar: War Music Richard Pascoe (narrator), Barry Collett (conductor), Rutland Sinfonia