New Radiohead Song Pays Tribute to Last British Great War Veteran

Posted on Aug 5th 2009 6:08AM by Stephen Dowling
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Radiohead have marked the death of Britain's last Great War veteran -- former plumber Harry Patch, who fought in the trenches of the Western Front in 1917 -- by releasing a song in his honour on the eve of his funeral. Patch died last month at the age of 111.

Patch -- a machine gunner whose three best friends were killed when a German shell exploded over their position -- had for many decades refused to take part in any commemorations of the conflict.

However, in later years he undertook a more public role, and gave an emotional interview to the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme in 2005 where he recounted his wartime experiences. The song's lyrics are taken from Patch's interview, his recollections of the horrors and futility of war.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke said on the band's website: "I had heard a very emotional interview with him a few years ago on the' Today' program on Radio4. The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me."It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death. It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny. I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor."

The song -- a haunting, string-laden piece with Yorke singing in falsetto over the top -- is available to download from the band's website for £1. All the proceeds go to the Royal British Legion, a charity helping Britain's veterans.

Patch, who died on July 25, will be buried at Wells Cathedral on Thursday.