The line "Whose family have I fixed within my sights?" always brings me to tears. This has been my favorite Christmas song since the first time I heard it. I wish the world would learn the lesson in this song. Peace on earth, good will to all. ☮️
... Each Christmas come since World War I I've learned its lessons well That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame And on each side of the rifle we're the same
Me too... such a powerful song! The soldiers don't want to be there! It's the leaders wanting more power & money who don't care about anyone's lives but their own.
For over 30 years, I've been sharing this song with others. The song and the story that goes with is among my favorite holiday traditions. It's a wonderful, touching song.
Forever 40 years I have listened to this song and shared it with others. I remember so clearly the first time hearing it as John performed at the Laurel Theater in Knoxville Tennessee. I was on my journey to becoming a pacifist in this story and his interpretation of it through the song help solidify my desire for peace for the world. Thank you, John.
Every year, I teach Stille Nacht to my choirs, then I show them this song. I tell them real history ina way they remember. I hope they keep it in their hearts. Today was the first time I happened on this particular recording, and hearing more detail of John's encounter was wonderous! I am sending this to all my fellow teachers today.
It's a wonderful event and song and it shows that the true enemy were not the soldiers from another country, but their own generals and politicians. And it's so heartbreaking that so many died, many at the age of school boys who were stolen their youth. RIP poor soldiers
Wish we could see the woman signing the song on the stage with John... Such an amazing song. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. John can write a song that has so much emotion in it. Love this song.
Of all the real life carols and Christmas story songs this one is one of my favorite and the most tender. My own grandfather was in WWI serving with the Canadian Army as a teamster moving supply's to the front. A wonderful song.
Lovely. Wished I could have seen the signer completely. Sign language to songs is like a dance. Thank you, John McCutcheon. I've heard him do a shortened introduction. So glad to have heard this heart felt expanded version.
Thanks so much for posting this. The stories add so much to the song and it's interesting to see how the song has given so much to Mr. McCutcheon. Every year I visit this song and I just wish everyone could be touched by its message.
A long, long time ago, John McCutcheon sang at Eastern Mennonite University's Lehman Auditorium. The show included a brief intermission, before which he noted a few pens and paper at the edge of the stage for people to submit requests. The first he picked up was 606 in the then-current Mennonite hymnal, which is considered the denomination's official 'anthem' which most of us knew by heart. Not knowing that, he happily took the request and began to lead it. There was no need. The crowd of several hundred burst into song. After less than a full measure, he sat stunned, let it wash over him and thanked us when we were through. I would love to meet him in person someday and tell him that it was meant as a gift. Such a talented man who deserved to be more well known.
I visited the Theipval memorial to see the name of my Uncle on it, and toured the battlefield of the Somme and found my other uncles grave in France from the battle of the Delville wood in September 2019... it was almost too much to handle...
I just heard this on Pandora. Oh my, tears in my eyes! Granddaughter of a WWI artillery sarge (American, so the Christmas Truce was before his time) - but what a powerful message. “On each end of the rifle we’re the same.”
Interesting thing is that the kill count went close to zero after this "gathering". The men that were stationed there had to be moved to another area because they tended to shoot over the heads of the enemy. Just a bunch of farm boys forced into killing each other. The evil that often and does control this world is terrible!
Does anyone know the name of the military tune that is the instrumental in this song? It's a well known melody, but I haven't been able to find out what it's called.
![Christmas Truce of World War I -- Joyeux Noel [2005 film]](/img/n.gif)
The line "Whose family have I fixed within my sights?" always brings me to tears. This has been my favorite Christmas song since the first time I heard it. I wish the world would learn the lesson in this song. Peace on earth, good will to all. ☮️
I told the story today in Church. Brothers and Sisters came up to me after and said that it was their favorite Christmas 🎄 story.
... Each Christmas come since World War I
I've learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame
And on each side of the rifle we're the same
In the age of Christmas songs being used for no more than television ads this is truly the greatest Christmas song ever written.
As I have so many times, I cried again today as I listened to John McCutcheon sing this. Oh when will we ever learn.
I Cried as well..
Thank you Sir John McCutcheon for this song, I cry every time I hear it. Needed to hear this today.
Me too... such a powerful song! The soldiers don't want to be there! It's the leaders wanting more power & money who don't care about anyone's lives but their own.
I have shared this song a many times on Xmas day, despite not being a Xtain. It is a truly amazing story
For over 30 years, I've been sharing this song with others. The song and the story that goes with is among my favorite holiday traditions. It's a wonderful, touching song.
Forever 40 years I have listened to this song and shared it with others. I remember so clearly the first time hearing it as John performed at the Laurel Theater in Knoxville Tennessee. I was on my journey to becoming a pacifist in this story and his interpretation of it through the song help solidify my desire for peace for the world. Thank you, John.
Every year, I teach Stille Nacht to my choirs, then I show them this song. I tell them real history ina way they remember. I hope they keep it in their hearts.
Today was the first time I happened on this particular recording, and hearing more detail of John's encounter was wonderous! I am sending this to all my fellow teachers today.
It's a wonderful event and song and it shows that the true enemy were not the soldiers from another country, but their own generals and politicians. And it's so heartbreaking that so many died, many at the age of school boys who were stolen their youth. RIP poor soldiers
" And Davy died in the Korean War, don't know what for, dosen't matter anymore" John Prine
Wish we could see the woman signing the song on the stage with John... Such an amazing song. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. John can write a song that has so much emotion in it. Love this song.
Of all the real life carols and Christmas story songs this one is one of my favorite and the most tender. My own grandfather was in WWI serving with the Canadian Army as a teamster moving supply's to the front. A wonderful song.
Lovely. Wished I could have seen the signer completely. Sign language to songs is like a dance. Thank you, John McCutcheon. I've heard him do a shortened introduction. So glad to have heard this heart felt expanded version.
Love this song. It's on Winter Solstice--a truly wonderful Christmas/winter album!
Thanks so much for posting this. The stories add so much to the song and it's interesting to see how the song has given so much to Mr. McCutcheon. Every year I visit this song and I just wish everyone could be touched by its message.
A long, long time ago, John McCutcheon sang at Eastern Mennonite University's Lehman Auditorium. The show included a brief intermission, before which he noted a few pens and paper at the edge of the stage for people to submit requests. The first he picked up was 606 in the then-current Mennonite hymnal, which is considered the denomination's official 'anthem' which most of us knew by heart. Not knowing that, he happily took the request and began to lead it. There was no need. The crowd of several hundred burst into song. After less than a full measure, he sat stunned, let it wash over him and thanked us when we were through. I would love to meet him in person someday and tell him that it was meant as a gift. Such a talented man who deserved to be more well known.
I agree and have been doing much the same. It is terribly relevant right now too... So the tears I always shed when I hear this, are deeper this year.
Thanx 4 the backstory; & a great song, nice guitar & voice! i cried @ the story, Before you even sang..
Here I am, Christmas morning 2022. God bless us all
I visited the Theipval memorial to see the name of my Uncle on it, and toured the battlefield of the Somme and found my other uncles grave in France from the battle of the Delville wood in September 2019... it was almost too much to handle...
I just heard this on Pandora. Oh my, tears in my eyes! Granddaughter of a WWI artillery sarge (American, so the Christmas Truce was before his time) - but what a powerful message. “On each end of the rifle we’re the same.”
best Christmas song/ best peace song ever!
BEAUTIFUL.
Love John for this.
Nice John! Thanks.
Great song. I've visited the site of the truce in Flanders many times
Now you've gone and done it. My travel itinerary just grew ;-)
I love this song/story, sad though it is, I have to hear it several times each Christmas. It is so touching and speaks to the insanity of war.
Just came upon this one. Wow!!!!
Interesting thing is that the kill count went close to zero after this "gathering". The men that were stationed there had to be moved to another area because they tended to shoot over the heads of the enemy. Just a bunch of farm boys forced into killing each other. The evil that often and does control this world is terrible!
The officers since that truce were instructed to shoot the people that didn't do what they said :(
How fascinating I didn't know that!
@@sheoncehadmedespicable. Need more face to face.
Music is about telling a story
John has a great book that accompanies his CD if you'd like.
The best.
Fine Song Aloha from Hawaii
Does anyone know the name of the military tune that is the instrumental in this song? It's a well known melody, but I haven't been able to find out what it's called.
For my Grampsy 💔
What was the army this kids joined
The German Army, in 1914.
(And the English Army. It was World War 1)
Please don't conflate this history with current events that are so very very different.