Have ordinary British and German people ever been enemies?
Or is it just their leaders who filled their easy to manipulate hearts with hate and set them against each other, their media that made them distrust each other,
and the embarrassing fact that they are still worlds apart almost 70 years after the war, scrutinizing each other as if the counterpart is an alien from outer space, even though England is just 350 miles away from Germany.
Not that it detracts from the sentiment or the song, whether true or not, his monologue is obviously designed to lend credibility. It's very reminiscent of Springsteen who at least frequently admits - "some of this is true". But Irish blarney is Irish blarney.
God Bless the British Troops and German Soldiers that were brave enough to put down the guns, share a drink and play football, share letters of loved ones...Christmas 1914.
Obviously, in a perfect world, peaceful resolution of problems would be FAR better than war, but that's simply not realistic in our world. Its really unfortunate, but true, so we simply have to make due with it as best as we can. What we have to remember though is exactly what this song tells, that as "evil" as the enemy is made out to be, they're just people too, they miss their friends and families, and every person we kill leaves another child without a dad, or a wife without a husband.
One of the most inspiring stories of how humanity can be found in even the darkest of situations. I have always loved this song and look forward to reminding myself and others of this historical moment every year around this time.
Thank you for making this video. I used it today to teach WWI and Christmas to 6 classes of 11th graders. We had the picture book that the singer wrote. You did a fine job of putting pictures with the song and making this 100-year old war more real from modern students.
It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage for those lads to lay down their weapons in that time of war. We have much to learn from those lads today.
War: = Banker financed and created hate that allows the "legalization" of murder in the name of "patriotism" under a pretty flag. Wars will end the day that people decide that killing another because someone else tells them to and not before it. Live by the gun, die by one. The choice is easy: Love, self-responsibility for all your actions because YOU decided what was right for you and not sold to you through fear and greed...such is the way of the banksters...much love, katie
@jpringle1979 and if everyone thinks like you, the wars won't end. They own your mined, not a typo. You likely haven't seen the effects of a bomb on a body up close or lived in a war zone. You need to spend a little more time learning the real histories and the masters behind it. They like puppets thinking just like you. They have you convinced that wars are necessary and for noble reasons. There is nothing noble about killing a human. Might want to notice the SS black your cops wear now eh? fyi
@katiereneethompson Oh and you have? Really? Quit drinking the kool-aid. I have friends who've gone to war, uncles who were in WW2 and saw the horrors of the pacific. I had a grandfather who saw the horrors of trench warfare. Don't even lecture me on the horrors of war.
@katiereneethompson I never said war was a glorious thing. I was saying sometimes you have to defend yourself against a greater evil. Hitler was one such evil. You'd ask someone terrorizing a town to stop. You know what would happen? You'd get shot. Some people on this Earth are complete mindless scum, and the only unfortunate recourse to survival is violence, whether we like it or not. That is reality.
@katiereneethompson The real histories and masters behind it? LOL Put down that kool-aid you're drinking and come back to reality. OH NOES! POLICE ARE FASCISTS! typical libtard rant. put down the dope, and LSD and open your eyes to the reality of the world. Oh and by the way I wouldn't respond like this but you took an arrogant and haughty tone with me.
@jpringle1979 oh for Pete's sake, the Germans weren't trying to take over the world in either war...that's just a huge myth that unfortunately keeps getting repeated.
That a quaint sentiment, yet history does not support you. So far, war has accomplished FAR more than any "peace" movement ever has. On occasion, men must stand up and do what must be done. No matter how hard, no matter how distasteful. But I don't know if I can explain that to someone who clearly, has never had the courage to put their life on the line for their country and I and every other member of the military has done. You have my pity, you really do.
@TheBlacksmith45 I wasn't talking of mere peace assemblies. I was speaking about the economy. The reason we're able to enjoy cheap food, clothing, transportation and all that makes our lives better is because people were able to concentrate their efforts on productivity rather than destruction. Yet I must say I agree with part of your statement. If it were not for our military men and women who stood up to tyrants in times of oppression, non of this would be possible. No offense
I'm glad my history teacher introduced this song to me 3 years ago. I haven't listened to it since then, but I looked it up again when trying to compile a list of my favorite Christmas songs. It definitely deserves a spot on that list. The story is the definition of bittersweet.
This is the one Christmas song that means anything to me, and moves me to tears.Most of Christmas is just commercial shlock, but the truth in this story is stunning.
@maryriker I feel exactly the same way. I'm not really that into Christmas because of all the corniness associated with it, and I'm not even religious, but I cried my eyes out when I heard this song live. It's a beautiful story.
This song always makes me cry. Knowing that it's historically true makes it even more poignant. I think wars were viewed more personally a century ago. Folks nowadays too numbed to death and war, from constant media exposure.
John McCutcheon played Albany, NY last night. It's interesting that he used to perform this song only during the Christmas season, but it's now a year-round Fan Favorite. The history the song commemorates is certainly true, and I suspect it reveals a sentiment that many of us share.
I must admit I know little of John McCutcheon is he from Australia or where. I'm embarrised to say that is the only song oh his I know surly he must have more
the point of this is we are human we may figth and kill....in war we kill because we are tolled not because we what to. in war you mite kill the nicest man or the badest but you will niver now he is figth the same as you just tolled don't now way
To be honest, I'm not one of those guys who weep easily, but this brings tears to my eyes.
Let's follow their great examples to strive for better relations between our nations. In fact there are no other countries that have more similarities than Britain and Germany. If we work closer together, we could handle EVERY imaginable problem.
Great song. Great meaning to it. Fantastically written. I could never imagine a truce in a war so they can celebrate christmas. It must've been weird, talking to people you were trying to kill. But most soldiers probably didn't even want to be fighting against them, they just wanted to make friends. They were forced into the war, and they gladly would rather make friends than fight. This would never happen in modern times, I wish it would though.
You two are killing the great and tragic mood given off from this song. This is directed more towards one than the other..Lose your ignorance and just appreciate the song and event for what it is, which is something really wonderful. Nazi's are WWII..This is from WWI. Come on.
the nationality of the troops is irrelevant, fact is these acts have taken place between two armies at war. I have visited this sight and others were the two armies could almost reach out and touch hands, so close were the trenches.
On here we have to jerks fighting amongst themselves, each trying to prove to the other that he really is the biggest dick. Grow up children and yes this is the real world.
Anyone who complains about this, has obviously no sense, and has never been in combat. Those who have - and are not brain dead - have similar thoughts.
How about just enjoying the song and simply holding onto the single thread of human comradery which we all know still exists as a human race, and stop fighting.
England and Portugal have the longest running military alliance in history, both have helped each other in that time.
to stand there and say they're the worst allies is disrespectful and shows you have no idea what your talking about. You helped in the Napoleonic wars? England helped Portugal then to, and with Spain for so many years.
Many countries say we were brave and we still do it
The british........Sorry for what i will say but
They were our worst allies
Our presidents liek england much
AND OTEHR COUNTRIES LIKE US.
WE HELPED MANY COUNTRIES.
When my father told me about what you have done to us.
After holding a attack 11 hours figthing
teh figth was otehr when theres no ammo. WE USED OUR HANDS FOR SAFE YOU OF BIENG ATTACKED. we detroyed howitzers, WE safed comrades. THEN THE SURVIVERS, THE BRITISH PUT US DIGING.
imagine this... for one day you stop fighting, you join and celebrate christmas almost as family and tommorow you have to go back to killing each other again... can you even imagine how emotionally and psichologicaly devastating that must be?
for a brief moment, the unstoppable horror, stopped. and that moment of peace still echoes today, generations later. There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
We need to quit feeding our children to the propaganda pumpers and war mongers and then wrapping the ugly outcome in the flag. God bless us -- every one.
excellent video...if you like this Search " badcrooner " on youtube to listen to Pete Russell's moving new Christmas song " At this time of year " written for the lost and the lonely
Two sides stopped fighting, shake hands and started to talk, play a game of soccer on Christmas Day, and the next day began to shoot and kill each other again.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
there cant be peace if there are rich and poor people. cause poors will alwyas try to fighht the rich. and because of religion like islam vs christians
@BroadCastTuber This happen in WW2. A German unit captured a US medical unit durning the Hurtgen Forrest battle. The Americans had a lot of wounded and soon a German officer waved a wgite flag and offered to return the captured medic because the Americans needed them more than the Germans did. Soon both sides were gathering up the wounded and treating them. Some German medics were assisting American medics and vis versa. Humanity can be found at the oddest times.
@BroadCastTuber They were forced to fight by the powers that be. Others refused and were shot or moved to another platoon. Yes we are interesting indeed. I know your comment is a year old but felt I needed to make some comment here before I finally feature a new video on my channel. This one stood for a very long time due to what I believe to be a very important lesson taught in it's telling.
i cry every single time i hear this song. thank you so much for posting it. my family has made it a tradition to watch "joyeux noel" and i cry every time i see that movie!
Good song. If that isn't a wake up call, when in the midst of war the two opposing sides fighting against each other come over to each other and chat , laugh, and enjoy each other's company.
Good song, except there were no gas clouds in 1914.... That was a nice little gift from the war industry for April 1915, an industry that still grinds on and on together with the hate machines that ensure that human beings NEVER get together.
Tear gas and a few little tries with other chemicals, but nothing like the use at Ypres (or in Russia about 4 months earlier), but technically, you are right. there were attempts previously.
This song, I can't ever hear without tearing up. The first time I heard it was on my car radio...I had to pull over since I could not see through the tears.
All who make the decisions for war should listen to this before being allowed that ability to decide that others must kill and die.
We did Christmas assemblies, last christmas for our school, and me and my friend sang a duet of "When a Child Was Born" and our teacher giving this assembly played this. We did the assembly four times, but I never got tired of "When A Child Is Born" I didnt really understand most of this at the time, as I was behind the speakers and the quality was poor. However, I played it back when I got home, and it made me cry!! So pretty and sad!! xxxxxx
Im 16 yrs old, in my World History class my teacher played this for us, and i immidiately got what it said, i even started to tear up in class. I know what you mean with my generation.
This is an excellent song, such a purpose. It's too bad the majority of today's youth listen to a stile of music that is as loud as it is meaningless. This is the kind of music that touches the soul.
There should be one damn day and night a year when everyone can get along! One perfect period when everyone can just lay their hatred and arrogance and self-rightousness to rest! That has been what that day has meant to me for a long time now, ever since I was old enough to consider it. I'm not christian, but I still believe that day and night is very special.
Loved the singing and playing of John McCutcheon, and never tire of the story of men meeting as human beings rather than as anonymous enemies on Christmas. Makes me long for more meetings like that instead of the impersonal war that has the danger of becoming a spectator sport.
At 6:28 there is the beginning of a song. I remember it from The Man Who Would Be King with Michael Caine and Sean Connery. Does anybody know the name of it?
Awesome song and video. The higher officers were probably outraged. The enemy isn't human is what the front line soldiers are told to believe.
The first line of the song is "The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone. In the ranks of death you will find him." My best guess for the title would be "The Minstrel Boy."
BTW, thanks to whoever put this together. It took a lot of research. Well done. I've loved John McCutcheon for years. I'm sure he'd be proud if he saw this video.
The Minstrel Boy's theme is used in several things, and it's rather appropriate that it's in this song. It was used in the WWI era song, "I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier." I'm sure there are others, but I'm in now way a music expert.
The planners of time those who hold interest in death won't come to grips that killing isn't the answer. They are the ones who have a need for lives ended. We the people, those who are busy trying to have a life are the ones who pay the price.
They play this song every year--ever since the record came out all those years ago, the early 80's--on the local folk music radio shows...and every year, I swear, I get all choked up and a tear comes to my eye.
This is it, the thing Brian Lee plays on "Scratchy Grooves from 7 to 11 PM on Sunday evenings on WVUD radio", this time of year. Wow, what a groovy song!
today is nov 7 my remberance essembly and my teacher showed this to us after it and the lunch bell rang he said if u wanna leave, leave... so everyone left at 5:00 as me and 2 other people stayed to finish ... just because this song got to me deep in..... (oh and for anyone wondering i am in grade 8....)
You don't have to believe in God to cry, my friend. But if you cried because you recognized the wrong that was committed in making brothers fight one another, then I believe you are closing to God. But that's me...
brilliant song... just brilliant. With respect, i think that its human nature- not god that makes us recognise that war is just plainly wrong on so many levels- if only every man in the world realised this.
No disrespect taken. I agree with you that our human nature makes us feel contempt for war; that war's not right. But the question then is, why? Why this human nature? Is there a moral order outside of us, that of which we are always comparing ourselves to? If it evolved in us, well, then what can we say about our ancestors' actions? We can't judge them, then. But if there is a moral order, then there must be a moral order Giver. I would say it is reasonable to believe that God is the Giver.
sure, it may be reasonable, but look at other animals in this world- primates have rules, laws and a hyrachy, they even use simple tools- do they need to believe in a god to feel safe? It is normal human nature to help your fellow man- only greed, territory, natural resources, and different faiths create wars. The every day man would never KILL for their country or god, the every day man would rather 'love his neighbor'. all of life follows this general rule in order to survive.
Primates also war with their neighbors, cannibalize each other and kill the offspring of rivals, so I don't think they are a good example for human behavior. I would say the desire to help your fellow man is against human nature. 'Love of neighbor' is very rare in the animal kingdom. The zebra runs its fastest, hoping that its neighbor becomes lion food. Humans overcome this instinct to help the less fortunate, even at cost to one's self. That's not animal, it is God's nature in each of us
cray - yeah, the top brass - the heartless, clever bastards - made it a court martial offense to 'fraternize' with the enemy. I did a bit of research on this episode through the Imperial War Museum and it amazed me how widespread the truce was. It wasn't an isolated incident. It happened all down The Maginot.
I find that difficult to believe. Not that this thing took place. It is a well known event and yes, it happened, and it was extremely widespread, but since the Maginot Line wasn't built until AFTER the first world war, named for the then minister of defense in France, André Maginot, I find it unlikely that it happened 'all down The Maginot' during the first world war. Sorry.
I stand corrected! Scratch 'The Maginot' otherwise, stet. The fact remains that were were widespread, human exchanges all down 'the trenches'/'the Frontline'/'the battlefront' - call it what you will. They called that 'mutiny', I call that commonsense!
My 8th grade history teacher played this song for us when we were studying this. I finally found it and I'm so happy I did. Its a nice song, well done.
Very nice! It's the Usury system that has caused so much grief. Usury is the tool of master bankers who care not about people, (lives) and families. The "System" itself is corrupt from top to bottom. We are all slaves of our wallets. It isn't soldiers who are monsters, most have never has been. It's the masters of finance who were / are the monsters.
Outstanding! Thanks for sharing it. It was nice to here the original composer's anecdote. I had only heard John McDermott's version of the song, and I have posted that one. Cheers!
War is old men sending young men into battle, thats all it ever was, we fight to the death to correct other peoples mistakes, just another big flaw of Humanity.
There is a full-length movie about this, historically researched including what the soldiers in the trenches did after that one Christmas, called "Joyeux Noel." from 2005.
Have ordinary British and German people ever been enemies?
Or is it just their leaders who filled their easy to manipulate hearts with hate and set them against each other, their media that made them distrust each other,
and the embarrassing fact that they are still worlds apart almost 70 years after the war, scrutinizing each other as if the counterpart is an alien from outer space, even though England is just 350 miles away from Germany.
I think that's beneath our dignity, isn't it?
Lintflas 1 week ago
Not that it detracts from the sentiment or the song, whether true or not, his monologue is obviously designed to lend credibility. It's very reminiscent of Springsteen who at least frequently admits - "some of this is true". But Irish blarney is Irish blarney.
G58 1 week ago
When you look through the eyes of the "Enemy", do you know who you will see?
YOU!
bomack105 1 month ago
THIS IS one of my all time fav christmas songs, it always brings joy to my life. I hope it does the same for others this christmas season
delltube777 1 month ago
God Bless the British Troops and German Soldiers that were brave enough to put down the guns, share a drink and play football, share letters of loved ones...Christmas 1914.
jim2509 1 month ago 4
Obviously, in a perfect world, peaceful resolution of problems would be FAR better than war, but that's simply not realistic in our world. Its really unfortunate, but true, so we simply have to make due with it as best as we can. What we have to remember though is exactly what this song tells, that as "evil" as the enemy is made out to be, they're just people too, they miss their friends and families, and every person we kill leaves another child without a dad, or a wife without a husband.
Superdingo13 1 month ago
One of the most inspiring stories of how humanity can be found in even the darkest of situations. I have always loved this song and look forward to reminding myself and others of this historical moment every year around this time.
gravigrl08 1 month ago
Thank you for making this video. I used it today to teach WWI and Christmas to 6 classes of 11th graders. We had the picture book that the singer wrote. You did a fine job of putting pictures with the song and making this 100-year old war more real from modern students.
Cook75969 1 month ago 3
Is there any movies about the Christmas Truce?
UnleashTheLava 1 month ago
"Joyeux Noël" French Film@UnleashTheLava
fushheads 1 month ago
Haunting......
marfamyers 1 month ago
No matter how often I hear it it still grips me thank you
saoirseterri 1 month ago 4
It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage for those lads to lay down their weapons in that time of war. We have much to learn from those lads today.
somegalfromcan 2 months ago 6
@somegalfromcan I know :'(
mindylinky 1 month ago
War: = Banker financed and created hate that allows the "legalization" of murder in the name of "patriotism" under a pretty flag. Wars will end the day that people decide that killing another because someone else tells them to and not before it. Live by the gun, die by one. The choice is easy: Love, self-responsibility for all your actions because YOU decided what was right for you and not sold to you through fear and greed...such is the way of the banksters...much love, katie
katiereneethompson 2 months ago
@katiereneethompson and if we hadn't fought WW2 you'd speaking German and being ruled by Nazis.... and by we I mean all the allies not just America.
jpringle1979 2 months ago
@jpringle1979 and if everyone thinks like you, the wars won't end. They own your mined, not a typo. You likely haven't seen the effects of a bomb on a body up close or lived in a war zone. You need to spend a little more time learning the real histories and the masters behind it. They like puppets thinking just like you. They have you convinced that wars are necessary and for noble reasons. There is nothing noble about killing a human. Might want to notice the SS black your cops wear now eh? fyi
katiereneethompson 2 months ago
@katiereneethompson Oh and you have? Really? Quit drinking the kool-aid. I have friends who've gone to war, uncles who were in WW2 and saw the horrors of the pacific. I had a grandfather who saw the horrors of trench warfare. Don't even lecture me on the horrors of war.
jpringle1979 1 month ago
@katiereneethompson I never said war was a glorious thing. I was saying sometimes you have to defend yourself against a greater evil. Hitler was one such evil. You'd ask someone terrorizing a town to stop. You know what would happen? You'd get shot. Some people on this Earth are complete mindless scum, and the only unfortunate recourse to survival is violence, whether we like it or not. That is reality.
jpringle1979 1 month ago
@jpringle1979 This is about WW1. Not WW2 and Hitler.
prymalkitty 1 month ago
@katiereneethompson The real histories and masters behind it? LOL Put down that kool-aid you're drinking and come back to reality. OH NOES! POLICE ARE FASCISTS! typical libtard rant. put down the dope, and LSD and open your eyes to the reality of the world. Oh and by the way I wouldn't respond like this but you took an arrogant and haughty tone with me.
jpringle1979 1 month ago
@jpringle1979 oh for Pete's sake, the Germans weren't trying to take over the world in either war...that's just a huge myth that unfortunately keeps getting repeated.
severedtesticles 1 month ago 2
war is ugly
GreenBayPackers121 3 months ago
@GreenBayPackers121 very :(
mindylinky 3 months ago
Too bad they all didn't just go home.
SPAD58 6 months ago 3
how the cfku can anyone dislike this
windfish113 8 months ago
@windfish113 Whats cfku?
deeerp1 5 months ago
@deeerp1 rearrange the letters...
and it's neither "kufc" nor "kcuf"...
RestlessWicked 4 months ago
@RestlessWicked I know that he is trying to spell fuck but I was trying to be sarcastic.
deeerp1 4 months ago
Unbelievable that this actually happened, so good and so sad all at the same time. God bless to all who lost their lives X
ianpit1 9 months ago 5
O Holy Night! Peace to men of good will!
1462marty 10 months ago
My favourite christmas story/song, and one of the reasons why I could never hate fellow englishmen.
Hopefully one day we will overcome what has torn apart the ties between our nations.
Happy christmas from Germany to England!
Lintflas 1 year ago 12
Man, it suck to kill your friend just when you got to know him. :(
Unrealjon777 1 year ago 9
This might just be the most beautiful song that I've ever heard..
TheDreamingTiger62 1 year ago 6
Thumbs up if you believe much more can be accomplished through peace than war.
RicoBoudreau 1 year ago 24
@RicoBoudreau
That a quaint sentiment, yet history does not support you. So far, war has accomplished FAR more than any "peace" movement ever has. On occasion, men must stand up and do what must be done. No matter how hard, no matter how distasteful. But I don't know if I can explain that to someone who clearly, has never had the courage to put their life on the line for their country and I and every other member of the military has done. You have my pity, you really do.
TheBlacksmith45 2 months ago
@TheBlacksmith45 I wasn't talking of mere peace assemblies. I was speaking about the economy. The reason we're able to enjoy cheap food, clothing, transportation and all that makes our lives better is because people were able to concentrate their efforts on productivity rather than destruction. Yet I must say I agree with part of your statement. If it were not for our military men and women who stood up to tyrants in times of oppression, non of this would be possible. No offense
RicoBoudreau 2 months ago
This song is.... Amazing. It shows so many different things. I know that when I first heard this song... It changed me.
PandiKelia 1 year ago 3
I'm glad my history teacher introduced this song to me 3 years ago. I haven't listened to it since then, but I looked it up again when trying to compile a list of my favorite Christmas songs. It definitely deserves a spot on that list. The story is the definition of bittersweet.
Xplayer007 1 year ago 3
This is the one Christmas song that means anything to me, and moves me to tears.Most of Christmas is just commercial shlock, but the truth in this story is stunning.
maryriker 1 year ago 7
@maryriker I feel exactly the same way. I'm not really that into Christmas because of all the corniness associated with it, and I'm not even religious, but I cried my eyes out when I heard this song live. It's a beautiful story.
fxcxcrunner 1 year ago 5
@fxcxcrunner because THIS is what the holidays should be about that's why
mindylinky 1 year ago 3
@mindylinky and it definitely adds another meaning to Christmas for me after hearing it. I agree
Bible29205 9 months ago
This song always makes me cry. Knowing that it's historically true makes it even more poignant. I think wars were viewed more personally a century ago. Folks nowadays too numbed to death and war, from constant media exposure.
dietzvid 1 year ago 13
4:34 - 4:43 wich film is that, it looks like "All Quiet on the Western front" (1979) but it isn't. Wich movie is that?
XProductions92 1 year ago
@XProductions92, It's a music video ... Paul McCartney's Pipes of Peace
jethuffman 1 year ago 2
@jethuffman Thank you very much!
XProductions92 1 year ago
@jethuffman
John McCutcheon played Albany, NY last night. It's interesting that he used to perform this song only during the Christmas season, but it's now a year-round Fan Favorite. The history the song commemorates is certainly true, and I suspect it reveals a sentiment that many of us share.
brigadoondays 8 months ago
@brigadoondays
Couldn't agree more
I must admit I know little of John McCutcheon is he from Australia or where. I'm embarrised to say that is the only song oh his I know surly he must have more
padraigpurseal 6 months ago
@XProductions92 its a documentary...christmas in the trenches bbc 2 i saw it today in class
MrEnglishgodfather 1 year ago
There IS a book on this which I have read.
wanker4761 1 year ago
@wanker4761 I just read Truce by Jim Murphy. It's meant for younger people, but I still enjoyed it.
mindylinky 1 year ago
@wanker4761,
Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub. Excellent!
jethuffman 1 year ago 3
I'm readin' it now. I found it in the local library.
It's called "Truce" by Jim Murphy & is published by Scholastic Press
VitamAeternam777 1 year ago 2
@VitamAeternam777 I just bought that book a month ago-i'll treasure it for a very long time
mindylinky 1 year ago
I wanna give a German a hug now.
whowantsabighug 1 year ago 4
@whowantsabighug *hug kindly recieved*, dankeschön!
*re-hug*
(think I know how you feel, this song really touches me.)
RestlessWicked 4 months ago 3
Dammit it is TOO bad that this truce DID NOT LAST
mindylinky 1 year ago 4
@mindylinky well nothing is bulid to last forever
lommespill1 1 year ago
the point of this is we are human we may figth and kill....in war we kill because we are tolled not because we what to. in war you mite kill the nicest man or the badest but you will niver now he is figth the same as you just tolled don't now way
01kahoon 1 year ago
It's things like this (the story) that gives me hope for humanity. even during a war, peace can happen.
ontariobuds 1 year ago
To be honest, I'm not one of those guys who weep easily, but this brings tears to my eyes.
Let's follow their great examples to strive for better relations between our nations. In fact there are no other countries that have more similarities than Britain and Germany. If we work closer together, we could handle EVERY imaginable problem.
Greetings from Germany to Britain.
Lintflas 1 year ago 4
One day we'll all wake up and realize were all the same, and there will be no borders or boundaries separating us.
TheKrupkee 1 year ago 3
Great song. Great meaning to it. Fantastically written. I could never imagine a truce in a war so they can celebrate christmas. It must've been weird, talking to people you were trying to kill. But most soldiers probably didn't even want to be fighting against them, they just wanted to make friends. They were forced into the war, and they gladly would rather make friends than fight. This would never happen in modern times, I wish it would though.
thedittman 1 year ago 11
@thedittman
Well said, brother. Greetings from Germany
MajorKoenig4718 1 year ago
The story of the christmas truce gives me hope for humanity.
Some day we will have worked things out in a way that war will not be necessary any more.
Oh, what a dream... I won't see it happen though i'm afraid.
SiCDisaster 1 year ago 9
This song is about one of the greatest examples of humanity the world has ever seen and most of you can is exchange racist remarks
RPGaddictC 1 year ago 47
You two are killing the great and tragic mood given off from this song. This is directed more towards one than the other..Lose your ignorance and just appreciate the song and event for what it is, which is something really wonderful. Nazi's are WWII..This is from WWI. Come on.
OurShitIsWeak 1 year ago 6
The movie Joyeux Noel is a great movie, with english translations, about the French and Germans on Christmas Eve in 1914.
2con12 2 years ago 5
the nationality of the troops is irrelevant, fact is these acts have taken place between two armies at war. I have visited this sight and others were the two armies could almost reach out and touch hands, so close were the trenches.
On here we have to jerks fighting amongst themselves, each trying to prove to the other that he really is the biggest dick. Grow up children and yes this is the real world.
iburden101 2 years ago 6
Such a sad war...
nakedfrenzy6241 2 years ago 3
You're either a good troll or a shitty historian if you assign all the blame for WW1 to Germany.
ghjjfsbf 2 years ago 9
Cmon man, couldn't you have waited until the off season to be a dick about this song?
The whole tragedy of WWI is that it was everybodies fault at some level and yet nobody chose to swallow their pride and stand down.
ghjjfsbf 2 years ago 2
Anyone who complains about this, has obviously no sense, and has never been in combat. Those who have - and are not brain dead - have similar thoughts.
combroker1 2 years ago
Harry Patch (RIP) said "...remember the Germans as well - because they went through the same as us"
rulebrittaniaPTBB 2 years ago 4
How about just enjoying the song and simply holding onto the single thread of human comradery which we all know still exists as a human race, and stop fighting.
vealperm 2 years ago 2
amen.
cw237441 2 years ago
I cried the first time I heard this then was shocked to learn that these guys wouldnt fight after this alot of them fired high or wouldnt fire at all
wenniway1970 2 years ago 3
i loved teh song man
Atugaz 2 years ago
even in napolionic wars, we helped england .
we stopped the france of invade you.
We were tyhe only who oppen dors for you.
HAHAHAH and you.
IN WW1 OUR SURVIVERS, instead of help us, DIGING TRENCHES FOR YOU
LONG LIFE TO PORTUGAL.
THAT ,MUCH FOR WE BE LESS DO NOT FEAR.
Atugaz 2 years ago
@Atugaz
Right.....listen and listen well.
England and Portugal have the longest running military alliance in history, both have helped each other in that time.
to stand there and say they're the worst allies is disrespectful and shows you have no idea what your talking about. You helped in the Napoleonic wars? England helped Portugal then to, and with Spain for so many years.
Read up on your history.
Pizza23333 2 years ago
Many countries say we were brave and we still do it
The british........Sorry for what i will say but
They were our worst allies
Our presidents liek england much
AND OTEHR COUNTRIES LIKE US.
WE HELPED MANY COUNTRIES.
When my father told me about what you have done to us.
After holding a attack 11 hours figthing
teh figth was otehr when theres no ammo. WE USED OUR HANDS FOR SAFE YOU OF BIENG ATTACKED. we detroyed howitzers, WE safed comrades. THEN THE SURVIVERS, THE BRITISH PUT US DIGING.
Atugaz 2 years ago
This has moved me deeply to hear, to watch, to learn that it occurred. I never knew of this. Precious to know. Precious.
MyCatWatchesMe 2 years ago
Mato it wasn't just one day it lasted much longer. Probably the closest thing to World Peace humanity has ever come to.
In the end those soldiers fell to the orders of the government and their superiors. I don't blame them... In the end they were just like us.
After all to those in power were nothing, but toy soldiers.
sastath 2 years ago 4
imagine this... for one day you stop fighting, you join and celebrate christmas almost as family and tommorow you have to go back to killing each other again... can you even imagine how emotionally and psichologicaly devastating that must be?
MatoVuc 2 years ago 8
for a brief moment, the unstoppable horror, stopped. and that moment of peace still echoes today, generations later. There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
dragonsleeping 2 years ago 8
"On each end of the riffle we're the same"
War makes no sense whatsoever
suphiah23 2 years ago 10
I friggin love this song. I find it horrible how they made them fight again after a few weeks.
ThatDangHobbit 2 years ago 2
sadly, the British soldiers were ordered to continue firing on 25th December 1915, what i would give to have been there christmas 1914
BenHughesLlan 2 years ago 2
The Power of the magic of Christmas is an amazing thing. A beautiful song! Happy Holidays! :)
SantasChannel 2 years ago
We need to quit feeding our children to the propaganda pumpers and war mongers and then wrapping the ugly outcome in the flag. God bless us -- every one.
408knw 2 years ago 2
Well said.
MyCatWatchesMe 2 years ago
I don't know when; but there will be peace on Earth.
sumnercarter 2 years ago 2
excellent video...if you like this Search " badcrooner " on youtube to listen to Pete Russell's moving new Christmas song " At this time of year " written for the lost and the lonely
badcrooner 2 years ago
really nice song makes you think how hard it must have been being a tommy during xmas
ollie272 2 years ago 3
Great job John! You are quite a songwriter. Let's write one together sometime.
Melodyville 2 years ago
Wow. Just imagine that.
Two sides stopped fighting, shake hands and started to talk, play a game of soccer on Christmas Day, and the next day began to shoot and kill each other again.
Us men are interesting creatures aren't we?
BroadCastTuber 2 years ago 27
This comment has received too many negative votes show
u guys r just europeans and carcasians. i dont belive in chirstmas so i would not have truced
lifes40123 2 years ago
you do not believe in peace??? thats what christmas is about really. but believe what you will.
goldenguy5 2 years ago 2
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there cant be peace if there are rich and poor people. cause poors will alwyas try to fighht the rich. and because of religion like islam vs christians
lifes40123 2 years ago
at lifes40123
that i a ridiculous statement to say there cant be peace because of "religion like islam vs christians"
im christian and one of my best friends is muslim
he was born in us but lived in saudi arabia for several years
christianity and islam arent that different; they are both abrahamic religions and believe in one God
the problem is when most people here islam they think of radicals, but there are radicals in every religion including christianity
dunn1323 2 years ago 9
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u know why 9/11 happened cause some islams were pist off at christians. and people are rich and poor
lifes40123 2 years ago
@lifes40123
Your statement shows you have no idea what your talking about.
Pizza23333 2 years ago 3
@BroadCastTuber indeed
lommespill1 1 year ago
@BroadCastTuber This happen in WW2. A German unit captured a US medical unit durning the Hurtgen Forrest battle. The Americans had a lot of wounded and soon a German officer waved a wgite flag and offered to return the captured medic because the Americans needed them more than the Germans did. Soon both sides were gathering up the wounded and treating them. Some German medics were assisting American medics and vis versa. Humanity can be found at the oddest times.
Soldaten308 1 year ago 2
@Soldaten308 Similar things have happen in many wars. This is a story about WW1.
prymalkitty 1 month ago
@BroadCastTuber They were forced to fight by the powers that be. Others refused and were shot or moved to another platoon. Yes we are interesting indeed. I know your comment is a year old but felt I needed to make some comment here before I finally feature a new video on my channel. This one stood for a very long time due to what I believe to be a very important lesson taught in it's telling.
PeckerGoblin 1 year ago
@BroadCastTuber
Strange we are indeed...
RestlessWicked 4 months ago
i cry every single time i hear this song. thank you so much for posting it. my family has made it a tradition to watch "joyeux noel" and i cry every time i see that movie!
wickedrocketelvispel 2 years ago 3
Good song. If that isn't a wake up call, when in the midst of war the two opposing sides fighting against each other come over to each other and chat , laugh, and enjoy each other's company.
lilgrlkissesnhugs 2 years ago
Good song, except there were no gas clouds in 1914.... That was a nice little gift from the war industry for April 1915, an industry that still grinds on and on together with the hate machines that ensure that human beings NEVER get together.
Malaka57 2 years ago 2
actually Poison gas was 1st used in August of 1914
MusicalGeniusVideo 2 years ago
Tear gas and a few little tries with other chemicals, but nothing like the use at Ypres (or in Russia about 4 months earlier), but technically, you are right. there were attempts previously.
Malaka57 2 years ago
Music with a message, what a refreshing and wonderful performance. Thank you for writing and performing this meaningful piece.
MAC0192 2 years ago 4
Made me cry... the light and shade is perfect.
SagInTheBag 2 years ago
"All wars are civil wars because all men are brothers."
That's a Call of Duty quote, and I say, 'tis true.
rejectedwolf 2 years ago
the guys from call of duty dident make it
All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.
-Francois Fenelon
ligepith 2 years ago 2
This song, I can't ever hear without tearing up. The first time I heard it was on my car radio...I had to pull over since I could not see through the tears.
All who make the decisions for war should listen to this before being allowed that ability to decide that others must kill and die.
amazonboxer 2 years ago 10
"Whose family have I fixed within my sights"
Amazing song, thank you.
dagnorsson 2 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Noooooooooooo
sushantauk2001 2 years ago
We did Christmas assemblies, last christmas for our school, and me and my friend sang a duet of "When a Child Was Born" and our teacher giving this assembly played this. We did the assembly four times, but I never got tired of "When A Child Is Born" I didnt really understand most of this at the time, as I was behind the speakers and the quality was poor. However, I played it back when I got home, and it made me cry!! So pretty and sad!! xxxxxx
animalpals 2 years ago
This song makes me cry every year at Winfield!
T-T
tubes69 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
shut up
sushantauk2001 2 years ago
Im 16 yrs old, in my World History class my teacher played this for us, and i immidiately got what it said, i even started to tear up in class. I know what you mean with my generation.
ShaneBlood 2 years ago 4
This is an excellent song, such a purpose. It's too bad the majority of today's youth listen to a stile of music that is as loud as it is meaningless. This is the kind of music that touches the soul.
InCharacter 2 years ago 3
There should be one damn day and night a year when everyone can get along! One perfect period when everyone can just lay their hatred and arrogance and self-rightousness to rest! That has been what that day has meant to me for a long time now, ever since I was old enough to consider it. I'm not christian, but I still believe that day and night is very special.
This is a good song.
Warborn13 2 years ago 7
thank you my friend. I agree 100% Can't we all just get along???
indikid24 2 years ago
any1 know which film that is at 4:15?
baskervile 2 years ago
that is from the Paul McCartney video "Pipes of Peace". It is on youtube. It shows the Christmas 1914 truce.
BEFinAR 2 years ago
i learn that in school in xmas in trenches german and english men were playing football
GTAnikoliberty 2 years ago
did anything like this occur in ww2?
theinhtun1 2 years ago
no, ww1
SantizClaus 2 years ago
Not exactly like that, but Google "War Without Hate."
velapulsar 2 years ago
Wow.
I studied this in history but this puts a whole new perspective on it.
CookiesRiot 2 years ago 2
good !!!
wueska125 3 years ago
Loved the singing and playing of John McCutcheon, and never tire of the story of men meeting as human beings rather than as anonymous enemies on Christmas. Makes me long for more meetings like that instead of the impersonal war that has the danger of becoming a spectator sport.
BettyMaurice 3 years ago 6
At 6:28 there is the beginning of a song. I remember it from The Man Who Would Be King with Michael Caine and Sean Connery. Does anybody know the name of it?
Awesome song and video. The higher officers were probably outraged. The enemy isn't human is what the front line soldiers are told to believe.
Reubenhubert 3 years ago
The first line of the song is "The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone. In the ranks of death you will find him." My best guess for the title would be "The Minstrel Boy."
BTW, thanks to whoever put this together. It took a lot of research. Well done. I've loved John McCutcheon for years. I'm sure he'd be proud if he saw this video.
Constantlibrarian 3 years ago 3
Thank you.
Reubenhubert 3 years ago
The Minstrel Boy's theme is used in several things, and it's rather appropriate that it's in this song. It was used in the WWI era song, "I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier." I'm sure there are others, but I'm in now way a music expert.
DesertFox101 3 years ago
its the minstrel boy, my favorite version is by joe stummer and the mescaleros, used for black hawk down, great
00Indy 2 years ago
Thank you.
Reubenhubert 2 years ago
The planners of time those who hold interest in death won't come to grips that killing isn't the answer. They are the ones who have a need for lives ended. We the people, those who are busy trying to have a life are the ones who pay the price.
Land797 3 years ago 5
Full marks for the song Thanks
Mulrankin 3 years ago
Just heard this song on Pirate Cat Radio... very moving song about one of my favorite historic events. Thanks!
mstax 3 years ago
well written song.its just that simple.good work.more people need to remember the war!!!!
mcform 3 years ago
They play this song every year--ever since the record came out all those years ago, the early 80's--on the local folk music radio shows...and every year, I swear, I get all choked up and a tear comes to my eye.
nbgwho 3 years ago 6
This is it, the thing Brian Lee plays on "Scratchy Grooves from 7 to 11 PM on Sunday evenings on WVUD radio", this time of year. Wow, what a groovy song!
Jackalman99 3 years ago
Cried =']
Dont beluive in God tough :P
CoolKidX85 3 years ago
nobody cares if u don't believe in god or not its the message that you can put aside your differences for the sake of humankind
Konformation07 3 years ago 7
today is nov 7 my remberance essembly and my teacher showed this to us after it and the lunch bell rang he said if u wanna leave, leave... so everyone left at 5:00 as me and 2 other people stayed to finish ... just because this song got to me deep in..... (oh and for anyone wondering i am in grade 8....)
nallid123 3 years ago 4
i dont believe in god, but this song still made me cry.
mynameisrowland 3 years ago
You don't have to believe in God to cry, my friend. But if you cried because you recognized the wrong that was committed in making brothers fight one another, then I believe you are closing to God. But that's me...
catobear1704 3 years ago 10
brilliant song... just brilliant. With respect, i think that its human nature- not god that makes us recognise that war is just plainly wrong on so many levels- if only every man in the world realised this.
Anonamous657 3 years ago 2
No disrespect taken. I agree with you that our human nature makes us feel contempt for war; that war's not right. But the question then is, why? Why this human nature? Is there a moral order outside of us, that of which we are always comparing ourselves to? If it evolved in us, well, then what can we say about our ancestors' actions? We can't judge them, then. But if there is a moral order, then there must be a moral order Giver. I would say it is reasonable to believe that God is the Giver.
catobear1704 3 years ago 3
sure, it may be reasonable, but look at other animals in this world- primates have rules, laws and a hyrachy, they even use simple tools- do they need to believe in a god to feel safe? It is normal human nature to help your fellow man- only greed, territory, natural resources, and different faiths create wars. The every day man would never KILL for their country or god, the every day man would rather 'love his neighbor'. all of life follows this general rule in order to survive.
Anonamous657 3 years ago
Primates also war with their neighbors, cannibalize each other and kill the offspring of rivals, so I don't think they are a good example for human behavior. I would say the desire to help your fellow man is against human nature. 'Love of neighbor' is very rare in the animal kingdom. The zebra runs its fastest, hoping that its neighbor becomes lion food. Humans overcome this instinct to help the less fortunate, even at cost to one's self. That's not animal, it is God's nature in each of us
tubenewb1875 3 years ago 3
Meant to say "CLOSER" to God.
catobear1704 3 years ago
Sadly the only time for this to ever happen :( The year after We (British) were ordered to Keep firing on Christmas Day.
The Germans also Sung Silent Night during the Battle for Andreasa forest, but americans didn't take not :(
cray1996 3 years ago 3
cray - yeah, the top brass - the heartless, clever bastards - made it a court martial offense to 'fraternize' with the enemy. I did a bit of research on this episode through the Imperial War Museum and it amazed me how widespread the truce was. It wasn't an isolated incident. It happened all down The Maginot.
JerryX68 3 years ago 5
I find that difficult to believe. Not that this thing took place. It is a well known event and yes, it happened, and it was extremely widespread, but since the Maginot Line wasn't built until AFTER the first world war, named for the then minister of defense in France, André Maginot, I find it unlikely that it happened 'all down The Maginot' during the first world war. Sorry.
Aslaug75 3 years ago
I stand corrected! Scratch 'The Maginot' otherwise, stet. The fact remains that were were widespread, human exchanges all down 'the trenches'/'the Frontline'/'the battlefront' - call it what you will. They called that 'mutiny', I call that commonsense!
JerryX68 3 years ago
i love john
thefatmancomeith 3 years ago
Every peacefully sleeping child deserves our protection and respect. There is not one redeaming thing of war aside from that protection
lauren102906 3 years ago
My 8th grade history teacher played this song for us when we were studying this. I finally found it and I'm so happy I did. Its a nice song, well done.
brawleybunch 3 years ago
Very nice! It's the Usury system that has caused so much grief. Usury is the tool of master bankers who care not about people, (lives) and families. The "System" itself is corrupt from top to bottom. We are all slaves of our wallets. It isn't soldiers who are monsters, most have never has been. It's the masters of finance who were / are the monsters.
u3of52 3 years ago 3
I watched the movie recently and it touched my heart. I was born 1944 in Nazi Germany.
I can assure you,the Wehrmacht soldiers I knew were not the monsters they are made out to be.
dallasmoye 3 years ago 4
They are people who had families.
Shoresee 3 years ago 2
Outstanding! Thanks for sharing it. It was nice to here the original composer's anecdote. I had only heard John McDermott's version of the song, and I have posted that one. Cheers!
macrosent 3 years ago 4
most of these people than refused to fight and i think the allied side were all either moved or shot, im not sure about the germans
00Indy 3 years ago 2
War is old men sending young men into battle, thats all it ever was, we fight to the death to correct other peoples mistakes, just another big flaw of Humanity.
DarkenedPsycho 3 years ago 10
There is a full-length movie about this, historically researched including what the soldiers in the trenches did after that one Christmas, called "Joyeux Noel." from 2005.
playerpage 3 years ago 4