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Christmas in the Trenches
Author: Raine    Date: 12/25/2008 14:17:36

There are many stories, and versions.
The "Christmas truce" is a term used to describe several brief unofficial cessations of hostilities that occurred on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day between German and British or French troops in World War I, particularly that between British and German troops stationed along the Western Front during Christmas 1914. In 1915 there was a similar Christmas truce between German and French troops, and during Easter 1916 a truce also existed on the Eastern Front.

The Christmas Truces during World War I are the stuff that go to our highest spirits as human beings. John McCutcheon wrote a lovely song about it.

CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES

My name is Francis Toliver and I come from Liverpool
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school
To Belgium and to Flanders to Germany to here
I fought for king and country I love dear

T'was Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were still no Christmas song was sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day
There brave and glorious lads so far away

I was lying with my mess mate on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I, "Now listen up me boys," each solder strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear

"He's singing bloody well you know," my partner said to me
Soon one by one each German voice joined in harmony
The cannons rested silent the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war

As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Men struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was Stille Nacht "'tis Silent Night," says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky

"There's something coming toward us," the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one long figure trudging from their side
His truce flag like a Christmas star shone on that plain so bright
As he bravely strode unarmed into the night

Then one by one on either side walked into no man's land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and wished each other well
And in a flare lit soccer game we gave 'em hell

We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeeze box, they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men

Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart who lived that wondrous night
"Who's family have I fixed within my sights?"

T'was Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war
Had crumbled and were gone forever more

My name is Frances Toliver and in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I, I've learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we're the same

-John McCutcheon

Merry Christmas. May love and peaceful blessings be with you and yours -- today and always.

:peace: and
Raine
 

26 comments (Latest Comment: 12/26/2008 05:57:44 by Raine)
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Comments:

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Comment by BobR on 12/25/2008 14:23:01
Merry Christmas!

Comment by TriSec on 12/25/2008 14:33:28
Well, Good Morning, folks!



Happy Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hannukah (which are concurrent this week) and if there are any Muslim brethren around, I hope you had a Blessed Eid. (already past.)



Just passing through...house full of Legos, elecronics charging, and waiting for grandma and grandpa to show up for brunch.







And before we go, here's Javi with some Christmas people:







(looks like Javi is having a bad xmas - )

Comment by trojanrabbit on 12/25/2008 14:40:11
Merry Christmas everyone!!

Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/25/2008 15:19:57
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanzaa.



I hope that everyone is doing well. Raine, thanks for an excellent blog entry.



Here is a YouTube video featuring John McCutcheon who talks a bit about his song, "Christmas In the Trenches" and a moving true story associated with his performing hte song. Enjoy the video.





Comment by Will in Chicago on 12/25/2008 16:38:02
Here are some other songs related to the Christmas truce, or which recall the same things.



Belleau Wood by Garth Brooks









Snoopy's Christmas by the Royal Guardsmen





Comment by clintster on 12/25/2008 16:41:15
And another for the Christmas truce vidpile:







Paul McCarney's "Pipes of Peace"

Comment by livingonli on 12/25/2008 16:51:47
Merry Christmas everyone.



I decided to sleep in this morning. I have the Yule Log on WPIX and they are playing Christmas Music. It looks like the old-time radio stuff was only on the WGN version. MOJO HD (formerly InHD) also used to have their own Yule Log but that channel folded earlier this month. WPIX is also doing the Christmas playing of the Laurel and Hardy version of March of the Wooden Soldiers afterwards.

Comment by clintster on 12/25/2008 17:00:53
Quote by livingonli:

Merry Christmas everyone.



I decided to sleep in this morning. I have the Yule Log on WPIX and they are playing Christmas Music. It looks like the old-time radio stuff was only on the WGN version. MOJO HD (formerly InHD) also used to have their own Yule Log but that channel folded earlier this month. WPIX is also doing the Christmas playing of the Laurel and Hardy version of March of the Wooden Soldiers afterwards.




This morning WGN was playing Classic Yule Log. Not bad, considering the Gas Log was on last night.



Ho-ho-ho, y'all!

Comment by livingonli on 12/25/2008 17:03:35
AMC is running John Wayne movies all day. Nothing gets you into the Holiday spirit like watching John Wayne beat up or shoot people.

Comment by Raine on 12/25/2008 18:23:19
Quote by clintster:

And another for the Christmas truce vidpile:







Paul McCarney's "Pipes of Peace"


Perfect accoutrement Sir Clint!



We are off for a few hours, hope to see everyone later!

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 18:32:36
Merry Christmas etc everybody. I am about to head down to the oldest city in North America.

Comment by livingonli on 12/25/2008 20:16:13
Time to go head off to the salt mine and check logs.

Comment by BobR on 12/25/2008 23:23:05
Quote by Mondobubba:

Merry Christmas etc everybody. I am about to head down to the oldest city in North America.


Have fun in St. Augustine.



We just got back from my parents. It was pretty good, really. No one mentioned my ex-wife, and we had cheesecake and beer.



Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 23:24:01
Ertha Kitt died. So did Harold Pinter. Bummer :(

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 23:27:33
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Merry Christmas etc everybody. I am about to head down to the oldest city in North America.


Have fun in St. Augustine.



We just got back from my parents. It was pretty good, really. No one mentioned my ex-wife, and we had cheesecake and beer.







Mmmm beer and cheesecake. No mention of the ex, good. St Augustine was nice. I went to Anastasia Park walked on the beach. Listened the waves. Pleasant!



Now I'm watching the Worst Movie of Eighties, Red Dawn. Cuban and Nicaraguan armies.

Comment by Raine on 12/25/2008 23:28:12
Nothing I tell you.. NOTHING says Christmas like Cheescake and beer!

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 23:31:58
Why I think I will go see Frost/Nixon.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 23:32:26
Quote by Raine:

Nothing I tell you.. NOTHING says Christmas like Cheescake and beer!






I agree!

Comment by Raine on 12/25/2008 23:51:27
Yes... I am watching a Christmas Story. I missed the first 45 minutes... Whatever shall I do?

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/25/2008 23:54:27
Quote by Raine:

Yes... I am watching a Christmas Story. I missed the first 45 minutes... Whatever shall I do?




Somebody needs to say it. "You'll shot your eye out!"

Comment by clintster on 12/25/2008 23:56:04
Quote by Raine:

Yes... I am watching a Christmas Story. I missed the first 45 minutes... Whatever shall I do?




I'll loan you the DVD. Better yet, call me; I can quote it to you verbatim.

Comment by clintster on 12/26/2008 01:39:15
Sad news: Eartha Kitt passed away today.





Comment by livingonli on 12/26/2008 02:16:22
Quote by Mondobubba:





Now I'm watching the Worst Movie of Eighties, Red Dawn. Cuban and Nicaraguan armies.


That's when you need Peter Griffin to sing his defiance in his musical version of Red Dawn.

Comment by Mondobubba on 12/26/2008 03:36:19
Frank Langella is

Nixon to a tee, stooped

Complex paranoid sad

Comment by Raine on 12/26/2008 05:10:05
Quote by clintster:

Sad news: Eartha Kitt passed away today.



Thanks for this Clint... DAYM.. That song was WAY ahead of its time huh?







Comment by Raine on 12/26/2008 05:57:44




Sorry --- It had to happen.