Friday, December 14, 2012

Silent Night

My Favorite song ever.



The truce began on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
Silent Night
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The soldiers exchanged gifts, sometimes addresses, and drank together. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects.

The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces.

In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but in some areas, it continued until New Year's Day.





If one song can make peace for one night. Why can't we have peace all year long.

7 comments:

Stan said...

I believe being peaceful is not in human nature.

Unknown said...

Too bad this story is not being shared over and over thru out the world! I love how Josh Goban sings this song

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ray, I am posting this on my facebook page right away!! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jim

Tim said...

Thanks for that last video Ray. A safe and peacefull Christmas to all Allied troops around the world.

Anonymous said...

I think, sadly, Stan does have a point ... as much as we like the idea of peace ... but just look at today's massacre in Connecticut! Violence abounds wherever you look! Terrible!

LORDPATRICK said...

"Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me"! (HYMN) Love "SILENT NIGHT"! Can't have Christmas without it! Hugs Ray, Patrick

Butch 57 said...

Silent Night should be every nite I think.