Christmas Truce 1914

"...After a timeless dream I saw what looked like
a large white light on top of a pale … It was a
strange sort of light …We saw dim figures on
the enemy parapet, about more lights; and with
amazement saw that a Christmas tree was being
set there...… from the German parapet, a rich baritone
voice begun to sing...”

Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht! Tranquil Night!
Holy Night! The grave and tender voice rose out
of the frozen mist, it was all so strange...
Private Henry Williamson,
London Rifle Brigade

The night closed in early – the ghostly shadows
that haunt the trenches came to keep us company
as we stood to arms. Under a pale moon, one
could just see the grave-like rise of ground which
marked the German trenches...

The soldiers' Christmas
Eve had come at last, and it was hardly the time
or place to feel grateful for it....

I had hardly spoken
when light after light sprang up along the German
front. Then quite near our dug-outs, so near
as to make me start and clutch my rifle, I heard a
voice, there was no mistaking that voice with its
guttural ring. With ears strained, I listened, and
then, all down our line of trenches there came to
our ears a greeting unique in war: “English soldier,
English
soldier, a merry Christmas, a merry
Christmas!”
Private Frederick Heath

from Oh Holy Night: The Peace of 1914
description/reviews here:
http://tinyurl.com/2b2gy8y

 

Johnny Cash, Collin Raye on the Christmas truce

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oUxEeeLdbU&feature=player_embedded#!