The Military and Music go hand in hand, Music has been a part of Military life from the very beginning of organized military armies. In past history music in the military was played at the beginning of battles to warn off the enemy, to give their troops courage, the celebration of battles won, and to bury the soldiers lost after battles fought. Music is played for the raising and lowering of the colors, and is much a part of everyday military life today as it was in past civilizations. – Mark Chernek
By Reg Jans
‘The High Price for Freedom’ was written by Mark Chernek for his friend James Weatherly who made a documentary about his cousin Harold B McCarn, now interred at the US Military Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. PFC Harold McCarn was killed after crossing the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen serving with the 9th Armored Division.
Learn more about PFC Harold McCarn
The song is a reflection of what the American soldiers had to endure before, during and after the war and was written for all WWII combatants. The first verse is about the call to service while the second part brings you to the Normandy invasion. Then the lyrics lead you from the Battle of the Bulge to Remagen, ending with a part about the war graves in Europe.
The High Price for Freedom
They came from small towns, in rule America; they came from big cities across the land,
They joined to fight for, liberty, and freedoms they did not have.
They were young, and they were bold, they carried their pride in their hearts and souls.
For they knew some won’t be coming back, the sacrifice for freedom
Freedom, Freedom, Let Freedom ring across the land
Freedom, Freedom, the greatest generation we ever had.
From the ships from the sea, they hit the shores, traveling across the land
From the skies they fell so, heroically, with a rifle in their hands.
From the mountains they climbed, through the forests they run, into the valleys below,
Through the cities they fought for, liberty, and freedoms we now all know.
Freedom, Freedom, Let Freedom ring across the land
Freedom, Freedom, the greatest generation we ever had.
And in their darkest hours they did fight, the bombs where bursting through the night.
They stood their ground for, they dug in, against all odds but, they did win…………….
For Freedom, Freedom, Let Freedom ring across the land
Freedom, Freedom, the greatest generation we ever had.
By the rivers they crossed, through the cold waters of the Rhine, they pushed forward into Remagen,
And in that town, they fought for the bridge, crossing into Freedom.
The autobahn lay not, far away, the objective within their reach,
The highway to hell, one soldier yells out, the last words he’ll ever speak.
Freedom, Freedom, Let Freedom ring across the land
Freedom, Freedom, the greatest generation we ever had.
Now their bodies lie, in graves overseas, forever interned for all to see,
They travel far and wide, across the globe, to pay their respects to thee.
The road to freedom is never an easy path, it’s secured by blood spilled on the ground.
I for one shall never forget, the High Price for Freedom!!!!!!
Freedom, Freedom, Let Freedom ring across the land
Freedom, Freedom, the greatest generation we ever had.
www.music4vets.nl
Music4 Vets Nederland is a music initiative for Dutch Veterans and their families. The concept of Music4 Vets is the use of music as a form of therapeutic release for Dutch Veterans, spouses and their families. The phrase “music heals” implies that soldiers returning from different tours of duty throughout their enlistment, carry with them, battle field memories. We use music to soften the effects of these memories and other combat related injuries. To aid in the readjustment back into society, after returning from tours of duty in hostile environments while serving on active duty. We also encourage active duty soldiers along with their families to participate in the program as well.- Mark Chernek
