John McDermott~Christmas in the Trenches

[GlasgowCeltic88]

@catsrock494

As an Irishman living in the uk and dating an American lass, I can say that legokid5827 is right... Over in America the game is called "Soccer", yet the English (& the Irish) call the game "Football".

[GlasgowCeltic88]

@catsrock494

As an Irishman living in the uk and dating an American lass, I can say that legokid5827 is right... Over in America the game is called "Soccer", yet the English (& the Irish) call the game "Football".

[legokid5872]

@catsrock494 no its football cos thats what us Brits call it and thats what it should be called

[catsrock494]

good song but the part where he sayin we played a football game its suppoes to be a soccer game

[franciscollins49]

I sing for the Veterns For Peace and will be singing it at thier next meeting, let us remember the line for the one's who call the shots won't be among the dead and slain, and on each end of the rifle were the same.

[staccatomusicstudio]

This is one of my favourite songs. I first heard it sung by Terry Kelly, but found this one looking for it on Youtube. This really exemplifies how many times honest, decent people end up fighting each other and how we wrestle not against flesh & blood.

[Alpinegremlin]

"For the ones that call the shots won`t be among the dead and lain. And on each end of the rifle...we`re the same."

One of the most meaningful lines that I`ve ever heard. Thanks so much for uploading this.

[Remington700BDL1]

War will always be among us. The evil will always take up arms to defeat the good and put up a hell of a fight, but I believe goodness will prevail in the end. We who are fortunate to enjoy freedom and liberty feel in our hearts that it's God's will for all of mankind, not just a fortunate few. This song beautifully shows that wars are not fought as individuals against individuals, but against ideologies.

[Caledonia1986]

Wow, its not even christmas and here I sit, crying because its so beautiful and peaceful. Thank you so much for uploading this. When I hear it, I think of my Granddad, who told me of his experiences in WWII. He taught me everything I knew and was everything I ever wanted to be. Now I hear this and its like I can hear him talking to me about the time when he didn't shoot a soldier of the other side, even though he was armed. Wow, thanks so much for uploading this!

[padraigpurseal]

God but will we ever learn thanks for the post

[rafhenlow]

I remember a Steptoe & Son episode where the old man was telling Harold about this sort of thing happening. They played football with each other, he swopped stuff with one German in particular.

"What happened the next day", said Harold.

"I shot him" was the reply.

The truth of war in two sentences.

[harley6003]

this song brings a tear to my eye everytime

[harley6003]

this song brings a tear to my eye everytime

[londonderryable]

One of very few tims to appreciate a soldier

[redpaulxx]

It's always the rich that starts the wars,

it's always the poor that fall.

[33andahalf]

This song tells you just who has to fight the wars for the wealthy, selfish bastards who run this world. It sure isn't the poor, average guy. Time to stop wars - like that will ever happen.

[mirgil1964]

@33andahalf

Robert E. Lee said "It is good that war is so terrible, lest we become too fond of it." Unfortunately, we are led by people who have no regard for life. We can, at least, keep striving to end the madness. God will do the rest.

[TheLadyrebekah]

i love john's crystal-clear voice, & for this song he does a great job at adding the mood necessary for the lyrics...plus a great timeless song by it's own right!! what's not to LOVE !?!? this song reminds be of another 'There were roses' ...best done [in my opinion] by Cara Dillon...same message & similar ending...

[sdcoyote70]

Wonderful voice, wonderful story. The story of the truce is told in my new book Oh Holy Night: The Peace of 1914. It's on amazon or see my website link on my profile.

""Undoubtedly this is the most stupid, senseless and unnecessary war of modern times. It is a war not wanted by Germany..."--Crown Prince Wilhelm

[TheMachey]

this song makes you stop and think. If it was not for the people in those trenches we would not have the freedoms we have today.

[Lintflas]

Thank you for uploading this beautiful and moving song.

[Afroman2978]

Perfecto :) best song ever (my opinion)

[danno1957]

Thank God these people did what they did,or there would not be one of us to sing the songs we love so much,,but we have to remember the people on the other side who didn't want to die!,,,, and if they had their way they would have walked away making new friends and celebrating Xmas with us.

[SPennell]

No one can sing this like John McDermott.. Thanks for posting.

[Acaciavet]

God bless all there souls.

[MajorKoenig4718]

Frohe Weihnachten - Merry Christmas to everyone

[ArisztidZ]

Thankyou for bringing this to Youtube. I have a couple of John McDermott's CDs but this way I can post the link to share it with my online friends.

This is one of the very few Christmas songs I like.

[scuzzulus]

awesome song...captures the truth and reality of war...seems like nobody wants it yet it still happens...hmm "for the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead"

[BigBones2109]

for all my fellow americans when he says "football" he means what we would call soccer

[valcan321]

I remeber reading about how hitler hated when everyone stopped fighting for christmass. He was a basterd even then.

[Lintflas]

@valcan321

but never forget, lunatic Hitlers hate didn't represent Germany as a whole.

[valcan321]

@Lintflas Course not, what people need to remember about ww2 is that it doesnt take a whole lot to turn a country into a skitzo parade.

And then when the invasion starts......remember the usual horrors perpetrated in european wars...

[jbrandiwine]

the best and the worst that is within, all wrapped evocatively into song... touches the humanity of all. a timeless message

[indikid24]

really peaceful song. Well done

[BullRun1861]

A beautiful song about a blissful brief moment of peace....for a brief moment humanity prevailed in the hell that was Ypres.

[Teeg82]

Nicely put. Most definitely one of my favourite stories, and indeed songs too.

[girlsk8er45]

god bless you

[GlasgowCeltic88]

And God bless YOU too girlsk8er45.

Thank you for watching.

[wheelchairby284]

good, but not as good as john mcutcheon's version

[nosowisewoman]

the story i have heard is that there was an active anti-war movement to begin with.the two armies had already been exchanging tokens and food before christmas. this was the beginning of the end of the war, from what i hear, this pacifism.

[thurin68]

This is absolutely one of the most beautiful and sad thing I've ever heard..

[Jackalman99]

So this is what the guy looks like. Brian Lee, or whoever did the WVUD Scratchy Grooves sunday nights played this since I was a little girl, well atleast a teen.

[XLch33ze43]

This song is a something that can teach a lesson, and if everyone would learn it the world would be a better place.

[Leathee]

Best Christmas song ever. Fuck Jingle Bells and all those overly-happy whatsits. After seeing a slideshow with this song in U.S. History, it'll always have a place in my heart. Thanks for putting it up.

[GlasgowCeltic88]

Leathee,

Thank you for taking the time to watch this video.

I agree with you... All thes 'sappy', 'happy-go-lucky' xmas tunes - NOT including Frairytale of New York - can go whistle! Christmas In The Trenches is a more reflective and appropriate tune for this time of year...

Regards,

GC88

[wilmaohman]

this song was about the british and scots truce with the germans in 1914 france. america didn't get there until 1916.i love it also.

[wilmaohman]

i've heard several versions of this song.most all of them are great.even garth brooks did it. he called his version bella woods.

[379OldScout]

Hate to pick nits, however Bella Wood is a flooring company, Belleau Woods was the battle with U.S. troops (Army and Marines) fighting the Kaiser's forces

[wilmaohman]

Belleau Woods is an area in France.The US and other armies fought like hell to finally win the battle there in 1918.This song was about the Christmas truce in 1916.Both in WW1.

[dhoban]

He never forgets the troops!

[susanmudgee]

Thank you so much. I love this song and John McDermott has a great voice

[GlasgowCeltic88]

He's got a brilliant voice & is a VERY talented man!

Thank you for the comment.

GC88

[jim2t6]

amazgin song !! pure talent :) good to see this on youtube :)

[GlasgowCeltic88]

I totally agree with you. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

Slán leat,

GC88