• Short Summary

    Extract from Churchill speech made in 1941.

  • Description

    Unused / unissued material - dates and locations unclear or unknown.

    Winston Churchill speech - Sail on oh ship of state.

    "The other day President Roosevelt gave his opponent in the late presidential election a letter of introduction to me. And in it he wrote out a verse in his own hand- writing, from Longfellow. It applies to you people as it does to us.

    Here is the verse:- 'Sail on, oh ship of state, Sail on, oh union strong and great; Humanity with all its fears, With all the hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thy fate.'

    What is the answer that I shall give in your name to this great man? The thrice chosen head of a nation of 130 million. Here is the answer which I will give to President Roosevelt. Put your confidence in us - give us your faith and your blessing and under Providence all will be well. We shall not fail or falter, we shall not weaken or tire - neither the sudden shock of battle nor the long drawn trails of vigilance or exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job."

    Cataloguer's note: Track neg. only.

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    2290.06
    Media URN:
    65458
    Group:
    Unissued unused
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    1941
    Sound:
    sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Black & White
    Duration:
    00:01:46:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:14:02:00 / 01:15:48:00
    Canister:
    UN 2234 B

Comments (1)

  1. Unknown user says

    Please note that the last line of the poem in the transcript is in error.

    It reads: "Is hanging breathless on they faith."

    It should read: " Is hanging breathless on thy fate."

    I agree Churchill's recording is rather indistinct.

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