CHRISTMAS IN THE
TRENCHES -- 1914
In December,
1914, after months of slaughter during the First World War (it was supposed to
be “The War to End all Wars”!), British and German soldiers declared an informal
and spontaneous truce. The story of their fraternization and holiday
celebration is told in detail here and here.
The event has
been immortalized in a song by folksinger JOHN MCCUTCHEON, which
you can hear and watch along with contemporary illustration and a moving
introduction by the performer.
The song ends
with this stanza:
My name is Francis Tolliver, 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.
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.
* * *
*
VIDEO: John Lennon –
HAPPY CHRISTMAS (The War is Over) – updated for today
John Lennon
(killed on December 8, 1980)
VIDEO: “All we
are saying is give peace a chance.”
***************************
Yusuf Ibrahim (aka
Cat Stevens)
VIDEO: “Peace
Train”
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