Winston Churchill - Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat

24/03/2015 22:00

Extract from "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" - May 13, 1940.

(studied in class)

 

On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister.

When he met his Cabinet on May 13 he told them that:

"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

“Je n’ai rien d’autre à offrir que du sang, du labeur, des larmes et de la sueur”

 

He repeated that phrase later in the day when he asked the House of Commons for a vote of confidence in his new all-party government.

For the first time, the people had hope but Churchill said to General Ismay: "Poor people, poor people. They trust me, and I can give them nothing but disaster for quite a long time."

The full speech: Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat