Christmas Truce 1914

[GalvestonDuck]

I always thought this was a beautiful song by Garth Brooks, but I didn't know until recently that it actually happened. I know Christmas is over now, but I didn't get to post it before I left.

"Belleau Wood" by Garth Brooks

Oh the snow flakes fell in silence
Over Belleau Wood that night
For a Christmas truce had been declared
By both sides of the fight
As we laid there in our trenches
The silence broke in two
By a german soldier singing
A song that we all knew

Though I did not know the language
The song was Silent Night
Then I heard my buddy whisper
"All is calm, all is bright"
Then the fear and doubt surrounded me
Cause I die if I was wrong
But I stood up in my trench
And I began to sing along

Then across the frozen battlefield
Another's voice joined in
Until one by one each man became
A singer of the hymn

Then I thought I was dreaming
For right there in my sight
Stood the german soldier
Neath the falling flakes of white
And he raised his hand and smiled at me
As if seemed to say
Heres hoping we both live to see
Us find a better way

Then the devils clock struck midnight
And the skies lit up again
And the battlefield where heaven stood
Was blown to hell again

But for just one fleeting moment
The answer seemed so clear
Heaven's not beyond the clouds
Its just beyond the fear

No heaven's not beyond the clouds
It's for us to find here

[Stephanie]

I think that that story is also the basis for the Peanut's Christmas song about Snoopy and the "Red Baron".

[GalvestonDuck]

Oh my gosh!!!! How could I have forgotten about Snoopy and the Red Baron!!! *sigh* I used to have that record when I was little and I played it full blast, with my pretend fighter plane (two chairs, one behind the other) with my stuffed Snoopy in the front. I'm sure it drove my mom crazy, hearing me sing out loud, "Christmas bells, those Christmas bells...ringing through the land...bringing peace to all the world...and good will to ma-a-a-an!"

LOL! Stephanie, if I could just give ya a big bear hug for bringing back that memory from my childhood.

[streetsoldier]

The truce mentioned at Belleau Wood was actually in the winter of 1917, while US Marines were stationed across from German Uhlans (mounted lancers) and heavy infantry...but there is something that was reported by both sides on Christmas, 1914, which should give us pause to reflect.

On that night, a bright light appeared in the sky between the trenches, all up and down the 500-mile line from the Channel to the Swiss border.

The Germans saw the face of a French soldier (supposedly the first to die) and the British and French beheld the face of a German soldier (also supposedly the first to die). This mutual apparition lasted for about 30 seconds...tens of thousands of troops swore to it, according to official records in France, Britain and Germany.

Some ONE trying to tell us something?

[Stephanie]

Oh my gosh!!!! How could I have forgotten about Snoopy and the Red Baron!!! *sigh* I used to have that record when I was little and I played it full blast, with my pretend fighter plane (two chairs, one behind the other) with my stuffed Snoopy in the front. I'm sure it drove my mom crazy, hearing me sing out loud, "Christmas bells, those Christmas bells...ringing through the land...bringing peace to all the world...and good will to ma-a-a-an!"

LOL! Stephanie, if I could just give ya a big bear hug for bringing back that memory from my childhood.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

I think that I had heard another song recently regarding that story - I don't think that it was from Garth though.

I always loved Peanuts. My father used to draw Charlie Brown and the evil kite, Snoopy, etc., using the comics as a guide. I used to have all of the old Peanuts comics that were in paperback. I have no idea where they are and they are from the 1960's!

Bill - perhaps the message is that we are all human beings, just from different backgrounds - brothers and sisters will you, and we should all love each other as HE would want us to.

[streetsoldier]

Stephanie,

NO ONE hates war more than those who have seen it, particpated in it, and survived it...but, then, these same men and women would be among the first to VOLUNTEER when our Country is in jeopardy.

"Serving others selflessly"...that's how I see it. Someone has to stand betwen the predators and prey. I can't serve now, but but a few short years ago, I'd have asked...

"If not now, when? If not ME, who?"

[Stephanie]

NO ONE hates war more than those who have seen it, particpated in it, and survived it...but, then, these same men and women would be among the first to VOLUNTEER when our Country is in jeopardy.

I'm sure that you're right Bill!