Christmas 1915 lyrics
Celtic Thunder1915 on Christmas Day
On the western front the guns all died away
And lying in the mud on bags of sand
We heard a German sing from No Man's Land
He had a tenor voice so pure and true
The words were strange but every note we knew
Soaring o'er the living, dead, and dammed
A German sang of peace from No Man's Land
They left their trenches and we left ours
Beneath tin hats the smiles bloomed like wild flowers
With photos, cigarettes, and pots of wine
We built a soldier's truce on the front line
Their singer was a lad of twenty one
We begged another song before the dawn
And sitting in the mud and blood and fear
He sang again the song all longed to hear
Silent night, no cannons roar
A King is born of peace for evermore
All's calm, all's bright
All brothers hand in hand
In 19 and 15 in No Man's Land
And in the morning all the guns boomed in the rain
And we killed them and they killed us again
At night they charged we fought them hand to hand
And I killed the boy that sang in No Man's Land
Silent night, no cannons roar
A King is born of peace for evermore
All's calm, all's bright
All brothers hand in hand
And that young soldier sings
And the song of peace still rings
Though the captains and all the kings
Built No Man's Land
Sleep in Heavenly peace
Song Details
Writer: Cormac MacConnell - Irish novelist, journalist, columnist... read more
Original Title: Silent Night: Christmas in the trenches 1915
Genre: Antiwar anthem
Brief: Christmas 1915 is based on the true story and reflects on the events that took place during Christmas time in 1915, specifically during World War I. It tells a story of soldiers on opposing sides who set aside their differences for a brief moment of peace and humanity during the holiday season.
The song begins with the narrator reflecting on a cold and bitter Christmas night in the trenches during World War I. Soldiers from both sides of the conflict are entrenched in battle, enduring harsh conditions and missing their families back home.
Amidst the darkness and chaos of war, a soldier starts singing a Christmas carol. The opposing soldiers, recognizing the tune, join in the singing. The lyrics highlight the shared humanity and the universal desire for peace that transcends national boundaries.
As the singing continues, both sides lay down their weapons and venture into No Man's Land, the area between the trenches. The soldiers exchange gifts, cigarettes, and greetings, embracing the brief respite from the hostilities. They find solace in the camaraderie and the common experience of longing for home and loved ones.
The song's chorus reflects on the temporary ceasefire, with lyrics describing the haunting beauty of the night and the collective hope for peace that permeates the hearts of the soldiers.
The song concludes by lamenting the fleeting nature of the truce and the return to the harsh reality of war. The soldiers are left with the memories of that Christmas night, cherishing the moments of peace and unity they shared.
"Christmas 1915" is a powerful song that portrays the human cost of war and the longing for peace, particularly during the holiday season. It serves as a reminder of the shared humanity that can emerge even in the midst of conflict and the enduring hope for a world without war.
Album by Celtic Thunder: Christmas (pictured)
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