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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
During Christmas Eve, 1914 soldiers on both sides (Germany and France) started playing music. Stille Naught (Silent Night) was one of the songs. The Kansas City Ukesters will be playing at the WW I Museum, on December 26,2009. I am blessed to be playing it ( Silent Night on harmonica) while a narration of this event is read. Cannons stopped rolling and firing, the gas clouds died down. Perhaps a magic trick or two was exchanged. History doesn't record that, but photographs and chocolates were.
If you happen to be in Kansas City, Missouri this week..join me for Saturday December 26th.. 12:15 to 12:45 PM Free Performance by the Kansas City Ukesters Club - Hear a concert of holiday and World War I music performed by the Kansas City’s own Ukesters. Enjoy ukulele music like you have never heard before. This free event will take place in the Museum’s J.C. Nichols Auditorium. Saturday, December 26, 1:00 p.m. Free Movie: Joyeux Noel This French film has become a holiday classic shown at the Museum. It depicts the 1914 Christmas Truce on the Western Front. “Joyeux Noel” was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year in 2006. The movie is subtitled in English, contains one of the most graphic depictions of life in the trenches. Rated PG-13. Location WW I Museum, J.C. Nichols Auditorium 100 W. 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 To tour the world class museum there is a 7 or 8 USA Dollar fee. Merry Christmas Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
One moment that I will probably remember forever is when I was stationed in Germany and was told about the story you mentioned above and during church in a Church of God serviceman's center, singing Silent Night.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Christmas in the Trenches
by John McCutcheon My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool. Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school. To Belgium and to Flanders, to Germany to here I fought for King and country I love dear. 'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung, The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung Our families back in England were toasting us that day Their brave and glorious lads so far away. I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound Says I, "Now listen up, me boys!" each soldier strained to hear As one young German voice sang out so clear. "He's singing bloody well, you know!" my partner says to me Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more As Christmas brought us respite from the war As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" struck up some lads from Kent The next they sang was "Stille Nacht." "Tis 'Silent Night'," says I And in two tongues one song filled up that sky "There's someone coming toward us!" the front line sentry cried All sights were fixed on one long figure trudging from their side His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shown on that plain so bright As he, bravely, strode unarmed into the night Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's Land With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home These sons and fathers far away from families of their own Young Sanders played his squeezebox and they had a violin This curious and unlikely band of men Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more With sad farewells we each prepared to settle back to war But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night "Whose family have I fixed within my sights?" 'Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost, so bitter hung The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war Had been crumbled and were gone forevermore My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell 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 end of the rifle we're the same
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Thanks for posting that Payne,
that's the way this episode of World War 1 is remembered here in Britain and Europe. Very thought provoking.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks Payne.
The officers were not very happy about the "Stille Nacht."
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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