Why won't Abide with Me play the sad tune playing in the Republic Parade of India for 70 years now, what is its story?
The sound of the trumpet, the tinkling of the church bells, and a gloomy evening. The place is Vijay Chowk of the country's capital Delhi. Here, on the evening of 29 January, exactly four days after the 26 January parade, a sad tune is played. The name of this tune is Abide With Me. This is a popular Christian tune called Hymn.
This tune is heard every year at the Beating The Retreat Ceremony in the capital. This trend has been going on for the last 70 years. But perhaps on January 29 of 2022, this tune named Abide With Me will not be played.
After all, what is the story of this popular Christian tune Hymn or Bhajan, which has been playing in India for 70 years? Why is it played on the occasion of India's Republic Day parade, how it started, who wrote it, and what is its connection to India?
Know everything about Abide With Me on Beating The Retreat.
Every year on 26 January in India, a four-day festival takes place, with the last day i.e. 'Beating the Retreat' on 29 January, it takes place at Vijay Chowk.
Traditional bands from the Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces play different tunes at the 'Beating the Retreat ceremony and remember the soldiers who died for the country. However, this time the tune Abide With Me will not be played in 'Beating the Retreat'. Till now this tune has been played every year in 'Beating the Retreat'.
What is 'Beating The Retreat'?
The last event after the 26 January celebrations is 'Beating the Retreat'. The Beating Retreat is a centuries-old military tradition.
Indeed, it has been a tradition in history that when armies returned from the battlefield after sunset and the trumpeter sounded for their withdrawal, the fighting was stopped, the weapons were put back in the weapons mines and left the battle site. was given.
Similarly, here in Delhi, different types of bands play their tunes. This is followed by the trumpeting of the retreat when the bandmaster approaches the President and asks for permission to take the band back. It is then understood that the ceremony is complete.
Then it rings Abide With Me, but now
During this, many tunes are played, but it is said that from the year 1950, the tune of the song Abide With Me is played at the end of this event.
Now it is being said that the tune of Abide With Me will not be played. In the year 2020 also, there were reports that the song Abide With Me would not be played in the Beating Retreat Ceremony and instead, Vande Mataram would be played. However, this could not happen and it was played in 2020 and 2021 as well. But now this tune will not be heard in this function.
What is the story of Abide With Me?
According to a report in the Indian Express, the song was written by Henry Francis Lyte, the Anglican minister of Scotland in the pre-modern world. This song is a kind of religious song sung in the church, which is called Hymn. It is said about it that it is a kind of hymn sung on the occasion of sorrow.
As far as its composition is concerned, according to the information, it is usually sung to the tune of English composer William Henry Monk.
Who wrote Abide With Me?
According to the report, Henry Francis Lyte wrote this song in 1820. There is a very interesting story behind it. It is said that Henry wrote this song when he went to visit a friend of his who was just taking the last breath of his life. That's why it also includes the sadness of his passing.
It is also said that he kept this song with him till his death in 1847 and did not tell it to anyone. It was sung for the first time on the occasion of his funeral.
How Abide With Me became popular
It is a very popular tune in Christianity and is commonly used for sadness.
It is sung only after the events. According to the report, it was played even after the sinking of the Titanic. At the same time, it was sung many times in the First World War, due to which it became very popular. It is sung not only in the Indian Army, but the army of many countries plays it in memory of their martyrs.
Mahatma Gandhi and Abide With Me
It is also said that Abide With Me was one of Mahatma Gandhi's favorite songs. Gandhi often hummed it. Gandhi first heard this tune from the Mysore Palace Band. After which it was said that Gandhi could never forget this tune again. It was later said that it was because of Gandhi that Abide With Me was sung and played in the army.
Which song will now play in 'Beating The Retreat'?
According to the schedule of the ceremony released by the Indian Army
The song has been removed from the Beating Retreat ceremony to be held on January 29. It added that this year's festival will conclude with the tune of 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha'. Earlier the Beating Retreat would end with the tune 'Abide with Me'. But now it won't ring.
what other songs will play
'Veer Sainik', 'Fanfare by Bugglers', 'INS India', 'Yashasvi', 'Jai Bharti', 'Kerala', 'Hind Ki Sena', 'Kadam Kadam Badane Jaa Jaa', 'Drummers Call', 'Aye Mere Watan' 'Ke Logon' is also part of the 26 tunes that will be played on the evening of January 29.
