My great grandfather was a lieutenant in the British army that was fighting on the Belgian border. He wrote about this day in a journal. In it he wrote "The men are silent and the guns have gone quiet and then a small group of Germans approach, men we have spent fighting coming carrying loaves of bread and alcohol. I don't what caused us to drop our guns for now. And it gave me hope that when this War ends we would return as people."
Many Bavarian soldiers were practicing catholics and when the Pope called for soldiers to lay down their arms for Christmas, many actually listened. Soon others, catholic or not, followed and this spread across the frontline. In some places, soldiers climbing over the trenches got massacred though.
The de-humanization of the enemy that all wars have as main character was paused at this day. My grandpa told me he could literally look in the eyes of the French soldiers and it brought him to tears fighting this senseless war for the emporer. As a 18year old he was drafted in 1916 and had to fight til the end. He turned 19 in 1918 and was the youngest among "experienced" soldiers. He was shot two times (hand and shoulder/breast) in the late days, was incarcerated in Paris on a football stadium where 2/3 died of hunger and infections. He got lucky because the American Red Cross picked him up and brought him to Cuba where he recovered. After 2 years they released him with a few Dollars and he flew home. That he had to fight again and again he hever minded, but ........ on the "other side", against German Hitler Fascism and fascism in Spain. With all that package and many suffering during these times he died as 96 year old in Germany. He told me so many awful and beautiful things he experienced that it shaped my believes, my worldview. This song is so beautiful but also sad.
@@Jonsson474 Thank you! I had fears not being able to write in English and I made mistakes for sure. If we think about the many who died, their story and the stories of those who survived, we could easely listen to them for days. Wars, as means of politics (as the last mean!!) should be erased from our thinking how tensions should be solved. People like you and me will always loose, sometimes everything and at the ultimate our life. What's good for, what do we gain? More hate and more tensions, where we could talk to eachother and find ways both can live with. But I also know there are always a few who are winners, those who put weapons in our hands and those who call for war. Stay save and enjoy life!
The cross at the end of the song is also a memorial that exists. It's located near Ypres, in Flanders. It was made in 1999. the actual cross reads: 1914 The Khaki Chums Christmas Truce 1999 85 Years Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget. Indeed. Sabaton is amazing. So glad that we have a band like this today. They are needed now more than ever. Brilliant song, story, and video. 🎄👍🏻
And you talked over Hannes' missus singing at the end. LOL. A certain Floor Jansen !!!!! As someone from the UK it's even more amazing knowing how many people died in those trenches.
I am from Canada and we were taught this in Public school. Many Canadians joined the British fighting on the front lines. I was actually born on November 11th (I'm an early Gen-x) the day WWI ended In 1918. This was a staple, every year, to teach us this. Lest We (Never) Forget!!!
Imagine Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing with Sabaton what a show that would be. I can see Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing Christmas Eve Sarajevo with the end transiting into Sabaton Christmas Truce. P.S. since this was an actual event imagine the amount of courage it took for that one guy to get out of the trenches onto the battlefield and say truce
They didn't immediately go back to killing each other. When the top brass ordered them to continue fighting they actually fired the guns over each others heads for the rest of that day and some of the next day.
This song makes me quite emotional. 1 moment of Sanity in all the madness. It also shows that soldiers are humans beings, no matter the color of their uniform.
As an addendum to the Christmas Truce, there were many shared church services out in no man's land. Several people also set up impromptu barber stations to give each other much needed hair cuts. The soldiers on both sides traded food, alcohol, even buttons. They participated in sports events with each other. After Christmas, there were many instances of the brasshats on both sides reshuffling the units on the front lines because they refused to fight each other. The one piece of family history that I know dating back to the First World War was that one of my grandfather's relatives served in the Royal Navy during the War. At one point, he was ordered to fire two torpedoes at a German U-boat. He fired one torpedo, sank the enemy vessel, then did not fire the second because he believed conserving ammunition was the best choice. He was court marshalled for disobeying a direct order (He fired one torpedo, but was ordered to fire two), but the court marshal found him justified in his reasoning and dropped the charges, opting instead to decorate him for his skillful shot. The family back here in New Zealand were apparently livid when they found out because there was an article in the paper about his story and the photo that came with the news article showed that he'd grown a beard which was something he'd never been allowed to do by the family, except that while away at war he came under the jurisdiction of the Royal Navy's dress code which permitted (and still does) the growing of facial hair.
I remember learning this at school, it broke my heart then and it still does to this day. Can you imagine how it felt when they had to go back to trying to kill each other after laughing and joking, and playing football? My grandmother was 11 years old in 1914, I'm only 50 - late arrival 😆 but I remember her telling me about her brother who went missing. His job was to relay messages, one day in 1918 he got on the motorcycle and was never seen again. His name is on the memorial wall in Jerusalem. A cousin never came home either, he died also in 1918, he's buried in France. He was in the pioneer regiment, for those who don't know what they did, well they were the poor blighters who dug the trenches and laid the barbed wire! He died from his wounds, which makes me think it wasn't quick. Thank you Sabaton for doing this. To all the soldiers on both sides, lest we forget.
The cross really exists on a place in no man's land where one of the Christmas Truce's was at, it was placed there for the 85th anniversary of that incredible event on Christmas 1914 in the year 1999. Sabaton have done an incredible job in not only telling this wonderful true event but keeping the memory of that day and the memory of those British, German and French soldiers alive. This is not only a Christmas song but a Remembrance one as well. LEST WE FORGET. British Sabaton Fan 💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇩🇪🇩🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪
The reason they didn't follow this up was because Christmas 1915 Germany had started using Bromide Gas shells and Bromide Gas attack charges as a tactic since in 1914 they were basically firing a low volume tear gas and it only tickled. The effects were horrible and people were suffering and crying in pain every day. The battle of the soldiers became a war of Rage, American soldiers were informed of the weaponry and the loss of life due to it. With that understanding, nobody tried this a second time because everyone was better equipped to fire endlessly. Artillery on the Day of the Christmas Truce were given a day off due to lack of ammunition and they wanted to save it for a next morning offensive: This meant all of no-mans land was legit safe of artillery fire, and the officers couldn't control the few men that went over the top to usher a day of peace on Christmas. Several officers on both factions demanded they fire at the enemy on the spot. The soldiers held there rifles high over there once enemy's head and fired, this is when the officers just gave up. They joined in the merry making and before long they started playing soccer (American name for the game Football which is everywhere else, there version of American Football is called Rugby), playing music, and they even traded goods: Some of the soldiers were so wary or missing stuff as well: A few soldiers noted a British soldier missing buttons on his long coat and so some British and German soldiers came over and tore off a button and with a little ingenuity of a sewing kit they got him to stay warm, he treated them to a bottle of booze he had stashed so all was merry that day. Its been so long that I forget where I heard the story from! The day after Christmas a attack was called, so 2 hours before midnight, they returned to the trenches, exactly at 12 AM the gunfire woke the fields of no-mans land once again. I learned this story and many things back in High School as my teacher was a veteran and he wanted to show that Soldiers were civilians forced into a mean facade so that they can protect what they believe in, even if forced into the roll. I still appreciate that teachers words and teaching us such a warming moment for Humanity amid all the Chaos that was WW1. May all these brave souls Rest in Peace! I will admit he didnt tell us about a Memorial though. Thanks for that! I learned something amazing today! Thanks again!
I should point out a large portion of this is mentioned in the video except a few things. I did learn this in advance and I paused the video before the second pause he did, cementing a point to only comment after you watch to the end: Don't be a dolt like me! Also I'm American, so I will admit I didn't know that my teacher was teaching something that wasn't normal to learning!
Props to your teacher for going so in depth on the Christmas truth of 1914. I too learned about it in school, but in our history school books it was covered in two pages and it was not much more than "This happend then and then. Anyway, onto the next topic". I love such war stories, but sadly they are rarely, if at all, touched upon. Fun fact: In germany the Christmas truce is known as "das Weihnachtswunder von 1914". Literally translated it is "The christmas wonder of 1914".
@@jamestheprotogen7554 I agree, Sabaton wants to bring to light many of those moments of history. Most people didn't even know of the Last battle of WW2! It wasnt covered in history, even though it was the first instance that German and American Troops joined hands to defeat a SS unit, and even then a strong willed SS officer was also on the Allied side and sacrificed himself to save one of the hostages when he decided to charge to the top wall and open fire in line of sight of the enemy. Many a hero tale went unsaid, some forgotten to time forever already
@@joshuaturcotte6724 THIS! And I think it's kinda sad that I learned MORE about history through Sabaton than I did in the entire time I went to school. We did have one history teacher with whom we would get sidetracked regularly, but even so, in the time we had with him (and half the time in his lessons were bad dad-history-jokes) we were ahead of other classes in the same year of teaching and even learned a good bit of out-of-book history. He went in depth about certain parts that were either imprtant historical events, neat stories or both.
*FINALLY* someone got what he’s playing on the piano! You are the only reactor to get it that I’ve seen! I knew you’d tell more history of this monumental event. Thank you. Never forget
im from belgium and loved every moment of the song and when we actually visited the trenches on excursion "i think i was the only one" (same as the one in bastogne but then for battle of the bulge) i love my history and if my country is in it even more so one day i hope to visit waterloo for the exibits there i think the place its in is called Ieper and its like an open air museum now big that part small diffrances we are thought 1. it happend all across the western front only places is was hard to get a truce was the invaded lands as belgium and france. 2. it started a bit before christmas and some truces lasted until january until high command broke it up with an artillery barage 3. there is a story going around of a german top sniper having a smoke with a british officer sorry for the nitpicks and thank you for the video
To me the crazy part is how true you are. I'm 25. But I've talked to 14 and 17 year Olds students at my old school that have no idea about this. Yet I remember it was one of my favorite history lessons in 5th and 6th grade. It's just confusing how we don't teach even in the worst of places. A light can shine if only briefly.
This song and video really touched me as one of my great grandads (royal field artillery) was on the western front when this happened. He wrote home and told my great granny about it. In some places they continued with a daily half hour truce so the dead could be removed and buried. The generals from all sides were livid at this unofficial truce and said if anyone continued to ignore orders then they would be shot as cowards. Obviously this was very hard to implement and didn’t have much impact on the soldiers stuck in cold wet trenches with no food, dry clothes or shelter. Thank you so much for doing this reaction and explaining the history behind the song. Love from Scotland 💕🤗🏴 P.s. There are documented cases of soldiers exchanging addresses and keeping in touch with each other or the families after the war.
Yes, I'm swedish and the coldest weather I've performed in was minus 10 degrees celsius. It was tough trying to move my fingers after a while on the keyboard and the singing was even tougher but we did it.
Read somewhere how In the bloody beaches of Anzio during operation shingle 1944 - The allies were under constant axis artillery fire - Americans started playing baseball once a week at the same time - And the shooting stopped untill the game was over - These things are so touching. Later in Monte Cassino a truce was made again to bery the dead and gather the wounded who laid there side by side. In my country in Finland a Russian prisoner captive party was seen crawling in the nomans land by the soldier in guarg duty, He yelled at them - Go away or i shoot, I dont want to, cause we have bullet saving campaign going on. The Russian officer in charge commanded his man up and led them back in formation. For a two weeks that section got no russian artillery fire on them. Lot more similar things has happened everywhere thank god.
A well known and celebrated incident by most European countries. Always gives me chills thinking if it and Sabaton definitely did it justice. Oh... And playing instruments in that weather... There's tricks to it lol. Brass, don't put the mouthpiece to your lips till essential. Fingerless gloves for any instrument that needs a firm hole - finger closure (like clarinets as I used to play)and take it in shifts to warm your fingers back up 😂 God that brings back memories of outdoor Christmas concerts in my youth 🤦🏻♀️😂❄️🎷🎶🌧️
I tear up when I think about this part of history and than these talentend Bastards come and make me cry more with this amazing Song. The Christmas truce is like a desperate grasp for humanity in a dark time.
The story makes me think of the old (well, Vietnam war era) quote "suppose there's a war and nobody goes". Like...imagine the leaders declare a war and the soldiers just flatly refuse.
I was told incidents similar to this happened on multiple occasions that dated back to about a few months earlier where certain places would hold a short truce so both sides can gather as many people they could from no man’s land and bury them. During this specific truce, both sides had to move a lot of bodies so they could play their game of football and hang out. Such a beautiful story
This is a song which describes the actuall events of 1914 but it easily translates to today. There is too much division, we need more understanding and cooperation. Yes, we are different, thankfully, but we need to understand eachother and accept the differencies. At the 3nd of the line, we are all human with all our flaws and qualities. I deepoly respect Sabaton for their educational role, they tell us stories from our violent past, but they do it in a very informative and unbiased way. And besides that, their music is amasing. Music plus message, a rare combination, both done perfectly. Big thumbs up!
I agree with you, I believe people should get to know more about this kind of moments in history, people today just like to blame and argue about every little thing and don't see the sacrifices and the horrible moments people went through for all of us to enjoy our lives right now, that's what they fought for but we should never forget their sacrifice
I did in fact know about this. It's one if those legendary stories and perfect for Sabaton. According to their history channel a similar event was attempted on the Eastern Front, but Eastern Orthodox Easter differs from Western dates and the men that attempted it were shot or captured. Inspiring song, great reaction!
@@SpecterNeverSpectator Well yeah it is, but US citizens idea of history is often Justin Timberlake and Brittany Spears breakup. If we let Sabaton do our history curriculum, things would be different.
i was taught about this event in school according to what i was taught massive sections of the lines celebrated christmas together. and again as i was taught both sides agreed to a cease fire during christmas. not a truce but a cease fire. as such entire units had to be uprooted and moved to different sections of the line as units that met each other in friendship during the events talked about refused to fight their new friends on the opposing side.
This song reminds me of Eric Bogle. He has a song called "...And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" about Gallipoli, another battle in the Great War. While it doesn't include Christmas, it includes a part that goes: But the band played Waltzing Matilda When we stopped to bury our slain We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs Then we started all over again...
I'm reminded of the power of Christianity in those days.. Even as an atheist, I can still be awe struck, at the coming together and celebration of a joint faith, in a non-religious war. N.B. For those that question why I would say this. I wasn't always an atheist.
15:04 Fun fact, I'm from that region (I'm from Ypres) and in 2018 we even had a huge scale memorial where we remembered the battle of passendale (idk how you guys write it in english). Also, every evening at exactly 20:00 (aka 8pm) they play the Last post every single day (they only stopped during the german occupation during WW2 i think...) there is much more in this town but yeah... i won't spoil it for y'all whom want to come one day :)
I remember bearing witness to that ceremony two years ago at Menin Gate, and I was quite moved by the event and during our time in Flanders. Many thanks from this history nerd from the States.
@@nobodysman143 i'm glad you enjoyed the ceremony in my lil hometown. :D it's still sad (but understandable) that during the armistice last year nobody was allowed in, the menin gate.... hopefully this year i'll be able to witness it again
Here recently, I have been watching several documentaries on WW1. In one of the episodes, it told about a lot of this type of stuff going on. They had a live and let live mentality. I couldn't imagine trying to kill one another in one moment, and then sharing a meal and whatever else. Then,when it was time to fight again, they would blow a whistle or fire a shot, and go back to fighting...
When you say Americans don't know about this, it saddens me. Not only is this an important event in history, it showcases how little we know about the rest of the world. Other countries know more about us than we do about them. I'm begining to love Sabaton more and more for their teaching us history through music. And it goes to show also what I've always said, take religion and politics out of it and let people be people.
These kinds of Sabaton songs are my favourite being sombre rather than the high energy that most of their songs have really makes them feel much deeper and more meaningful. Not that their other songs are worse but these hit home much more.
Christmas Day 1914, for the first time in a major war (and also the last), the two sides put down their weapons and crossed the great divide to shake hands and greet eachother as brothers.
Solid reaction as always, love the fact that you share your knowledge over there, but you missed a bit as others before me has commented. The aerial singing from Floor in the end and the fact that the cross in the end actually stands in Flanders field.
Some cool Battle between the bands (Sabaton style) Sabaton - 82nd all the way Amaranthe - 82nd all the way Sabaton - Carolus Rex Follow the Cipher - Carolus Rex Manowar - Kingdom Come Sabaton - Kingdom Come Amon Amarth - Twighlight of the thundergod Sabaton - Twighlight of the tundergo
Not meaning to rub salt on the wounds, but the concert was great. Caught them in St. Louis at the second to last show. Will definitely be seeing them again when they come to the States!
On December 24th,1914.the German soldiers lit their lanterns and displayed them on the edge of their trenches, carol singing broke out. Soon enough the British and French troops joined in. Christmas greetings,played Soccer and well wishes were exchanged, and offers of a temporary ceasefire were communicated between the trenches. They also played the most iconic game of Soccer ever recorded. The truce lasted for two days but when their superior officers found out the soldiers on sll sides were punished. Some were transfered out,some ran,not wanting to fight. And the rest were shot right there for refusing orders to restart the battle once again. The soldiers didnt want to kill those they had met. As the German soldiers lit their lanterns and displayed them on the edge of their trenches, carol singing broke out. Soon enoughthe British and French troops joined in. Christmas greetings and well wishes were exchanged, and offers of a temporary ceasefire were communicated between the trenches. They also played the most iconic game of Soccer ever recorded. The truce lasted for two days but when their superior officers found out the soldiers on sll sides were punished. Some were transfered out,some ran,not wanting to fight. And the rest were shot right there for refusing orders to restart the battle once again. The soldiers didnt want to kill those they had met. **In 1999 a wooden cross was put up where it happened,near Ypres/Leper. It still stands and has soccer balls surrounding it's base.
Dang. I’m glad I watched your reaction. I had no idea the tour was cancelled, and had heard no mention of the Judas Priest guitarist being hospitalized. Sorry you didn’t get to see them. I know you would’ve enjoyed the experience. I clicked on the video expecting you to have the same countdown timer you had on your Steel Commanders reaction. And I was confused why you didn’t. That’s a shame. But like you said, there’s always next time
Well Joakim was an organist before he was involved with the band. Apologies for miss spelling of his name, I am a simple ignorant 27 year old American girl.
The animosities between European countries in World War I and especially World War II was (in very simple words) one of the reasons, the European Union was started. Most people see the EU as an institution of bureaucracy and useless laws, but it's actually the biggest peace project of our time. Initiatives like the "amitié Franco-Allemande", the "French-German friendship" helped to overcome prejudice but we as European citizens help to keep the peace in Europe just by being European. We can travel without being controlled at borders, we can work everywhere in Europe without much paperwork, we pay with the same money, we elect the same Politicians and we follow the same laws. If these soldiers, who decided to play football instead of shooting each other at Christmas knew, what Europe looks like today, I think they would be proud.
Oh and why I actually wanted to leave a comment: That was a great reaction and thank you for your thoughts about community and unity to "win" the battles of our time.
No shit, man. This hurt my heart watching for the first time. It would fuck me up partying with an enemy force for one day before firing at them again. That had to be hard, that had to be the hardest.
funfact the classic christmas song goes down normaly but art the beginning sabaton plays it reversed so instead of down it goes up, in the end of the clip it goes down again
It happened early on in the war because the soldiers had no real hard feelings for the other side, once gas and other stuff became involved and the fighting got ugly they started to hate the men in the other trench, but at this point early on no one knew this was going to be a great war, didnt take it too seriously and thought it would be over soon, and afterwards officers forbade any sort of fraternization
There is similar events from the ANZAC of 1 day truce for collecting the dead and socializing Also I like snoopy vs the red baron Christmas bells song on this truce
Wellspoken words! Sorry you didn't get to see Sabaton / Judas Priest live, I know how much you have been looking forward to it. Once they get back to US i am sure Pär or Joakim would hook you up with front row tickets... cause you know... They're Swedish :)
I don't remember the band members names right now but in your video at around 13:40 it looks like he gives the other one a "snusprilla" after recieving a drawing which is a small pouch of tobacco you put under your lip that is really popular here in Sweden. And also something that we naturally offer if there are other "snusare" in a group of friends. At least around my parts. It's as natural as bumming a cig to us. A nice callback to how they shared sililiar things on that day.
The soldiers of the Christmas truce found out, that they actually had more in common with the poor bastard in the other trench, than with their own generals!
I feel like at 3.25, he's about to say "Come with me if you want to live!". Very apt, to be honest, not just because of the Arnold Schwarzenegger reference, but because this song highlights the one way of connecting soldiers from both sides of a conflict. Most were Christians, so of course they believed in Christmas. Shaking hands, basically saying "Hey, I may kill you in the morning, but at least get to know me as a Human Being tonight"... poignant, harrowing, but still oh so Christmas!
Amazing reaction as always, but i wanted to talk about the part you talk this wasnt an initiative from commanders, some people learn it occurred because the pope wrote a letter, yep, the pope whote a letter begging for a truce, but the christmas truce is an event apart, thank you for make it clear! I hate wars, but study them a lot and sometimes history is made upon a wrong narrative. Keep going with your amazing reactions! Oh and by any means want to offend you, but this event make me think how the ones in the power sometimes uses us as just pawns in these war games.
I highly recommend everyone to watch movie Merry Christmas (2005). It's about Christmas truce and one of my all time favourites movies ever. Also great song, amazing reaction, keep it up :)
My great grandfather was a lieutenant in the British army that was fighting on the Belgian border. He wrote about this day in a journal. In it he wrote "The men are silent and the guns have gone quiet and then a small group of Germans approach, men we have spent fighting coming carrying loaves of bread and alcohol. I don't what caused us to drop our guns for now. And it gave me hope that when this War ends we would return as people."
That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Many Bavarian soldiers were practicing catholics and when the Pope called for soldiers to lay down their arms for Christmas, many actually listened. Soon others, catholic or not, followed and this spread across the frontline. In some places, soldiers climbing over the trenches got massacred though.
The de-humanization of the enemy that all wars have as main character was paused at this day. My grandpa told me he could literally look in the eyes of the French soldiers and it brought him to tears fighting this senseless war for the emporer. As a 18year old he was drafted in 1916 and had to fight til the end. He turned 19 in 1918 and was the youngest among "experienced" soldiers. He was shot two times (hand and shoulder/breast) in the late days, was incarcerated in Paris on a football stadium where 2/3 died of hunger and infections. He got lucky because the American Red Cross picked him up and brought him to Cuba where he recovered. After 2 years they released him with a few Dollars and he flew home. That he had to fight again and again he hever minded, but ........ on the "other side", against German Hitler Fascism and fascism in Spain. With all that package and many suffering during these times he died as 96 year old in Germany. He told me so many awful and beautiful things he experienced that it shaped my believes, my worldview. This song is so beautiful but also sad.
@@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl What a fantastic post! Bless you.
@@Jonsson474 Thank you! I had fears not being able to write in English and I made mistakes for sure. If we think about the many who died, their story and the stories of those who survived, we could easely listen to them for days. Wars, as means of politics (as the last mean!!) should be erased from our thinking how tensions should be solved. People like you and me will always loose, sometimes everything and at the ultimate our life. What's good for, what do we gain? More hate and more tensions, where we could talk to eachother and find ways both can live with. But I also know there are always a few who are winners, those who put weapons in our hands and those who call for war. Stay save and enjoy life!
The cross at the end of the song is also a memorial that exists. It's located near Ypres, in Flanders. It was made in 1999.
the actual cross reads:
1914
The Khaki Chums
Christmas Truce
1999
85 Years
Lest
We
Forget
Thank you for that… great information
@@OldSkuleNerd Also, the end vocals were from Floor Jansen.
@@494Farrell are you sure? I had no idea
@@OldSkuleNerd Yes it's floor! She even commented on the video :)
@@OldSkuleNerd Watch the ending credits to the end. She credited there 16:15 timestamp.
Lest We Forget.
Indeed.
Sabaton is amazing. So glad that we have a band like this today. They are needed now more than ever. Brilliant song, story, and video. 🎄👍🏻
And you talked over Hannes' missus singing at the end. LOL. A certain Floor Jansen !!!!! As someone from the UK it's even more amazing knowing how many people died in those trenches.
Yeah! Oooops! There's probably a reason why they make videos the length they are....
Mr. Floor ...
I am from Canada and we were taught this in Public school. Many Canadians joined the British fighting on the front lines. I was actually born on November 11th (I'm an early Gen-x) the day WWI ended In 1918. This was a staple, every year, to teach us this.
Lest We (Never) Forget!!!
Imagine Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing with Sabaton what a show that would be. I can see Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing Christmas Eve Sarajevo with the end transiting into Sabaton Christmas Truce.
P.S. since this was an actual event imagine the amount of courage it took for that one guy to get out of the trenches onto the battlefield and say truce
They didn't immediately go back to killing each other. When the top brass ordered them to continue fighting they actually fired the guns over each others heads for the rest of that day and some of the next day.
This song makes me quite emotional. 1 moment of Sanity in all the madness.
It also shows that soldiers are humans beings, no matter the color of their uniform.
This is officially my favorite Christmas song of all time, now!
Same mate same.. sent the original video to my friends with that comment... :)
Mine too. This is such an important song!
@@davidstephen6753 Agreed.
Full body chills when the piano starts❣️
And again when Floor starts the outtro.
Fun fact: Carol of the Bells, the tune that we hear repeating, was composed in 1919, so when it was written, WWI was a very fresh memory.
Carol of the Balls is Ukrainian
@@katarinawikholm5873 written in 1914! Learn something new every day!
As an addendum to the Christmas Truce, there were many shared church services out in no man's land. Several people also set up impromptu barber stations to give each other much needed hair cuts. The soldiers on both sides traded food, alcohol, even buttons. They participated in sports events with each other. After Christmas, there were many instances of the brasshats on both sides reshuffling the units on the front lines because they refused to fight each other.
The one piece of family history that I know dating back to the First World War was that one of my grandfather's relatives served in the Royal Navy during the War. At one point, he was ordered to fire two torpedoes at a German U-boat. He fired one torpedo, sank the enemy vessel, then did not fire the second because he believed conserving ammunition was the best choice. He was court marshalled for disobeying a direct order (He fired one torpedo, but was ordered to fire two), but the court marshal found him justified in his reasoning and dropped the charges, opting instead to decorate him for his skillful shot. The family back here in New Zealand were apparently livid when they found out because there was an article in the paper about his story and the photo that came with the news article showed that he'd grown a beard which was something he'd never been allowed to do by the family, except that while away at war he came under the jurisdiction of the Royal Navy's dress code which permitted (and still does) the growing of facial hair.
Joakims leg: „Praise the truce. This is the best time“
It Nice when a american say that his country is wrong about football, it puts a smile on my face :)
Omg, I love Floors epic singing in the credits! Oh, wait... 😂
Great reaction tho, thx.
I remember learning this at school, it broke my heart then and it still does to this day. Can you imagine how it felt when they had to go back to trying to kill each other after laughing and joking, and playing football?
My grandmother was 11 years old in 1914, I'm only 50 - late arrival 😆 but I remember her telling me about her brother who went missing. His job was to relay messages, one day in 1918 he got on the motorcycle and was never seen again. His name is on the memorial wall in Jerusalem. A cousin never came home either, he died also in 1918, he's buried in France. He was in the pioneer regiment, for those who don't know what they did, well they were the poor blighters who dug the trenches and laid the barbed wire! He died from his wounds, which makes me think it wasn't quick.
Thank you Sabaton for doing this.
To all the soldiers on both sides, lest we forget.
The cross really exists on a place in no man's land where one of the Christmas Truce's was at, it was placed there for the 85th anniversary of that incredible event on Christmas 1914 in the year 1999. Sabaton have done an incredible job in not only telling this wonderful true event but keeping the memory of that day and the memory of those British, German and French soldiers alive. This is not only a Christmas song but a Remembrance one as well. LEST WE FORGET. British Sabaton Fan 💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️💂♂️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇩🇪🇩🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪
The reason they didn't follow this up was because Christmas 1915 Germany had started using Bromide Gas shells and Bromide Gas attack charges as a tactic since in 1914 they were basically firing a low volume tear gas and it only tickled. The effects were horrible and people were suffering and crying in pain every day. The battle of the soldiers became a war of Rage, American soldiers were informed of the weaponry and the loss of life due to it.
With that understanding, nobody tried this a second time because everyone was better equipped to fire endlessly. Artillery on the Day of the Christmas Truce were given a day off due to lack of ammunition and they wanted to save it for a next morning offensive: This meant all of no-mans land was legit safe of artillery fire, and the officers couldn't control the few men that went over the top to usher a day of peace on Christmas.
Several officers on both factions demanded they fire at the enemy on the spot. The soldiers held there rifles high over there once enemy's head and fired, this is when the officers just gave up. They joined in the merry making and before long they started playing soccer (American name for the game Football which is everywhere else, there version of American Football is called Rugby), playing music, and they even traded goods: Some of the soldiers were so wary or missing stuff as well: A few soldiers noted a British soldier missing buttons on his long coat and so some British and German soldiers came over and tore off a button and with a little ingenuity of a sewing kit they got him to stay warm, he treated them to a bottle of booze he had stashed so all was merry that day. Its been so long that I forget where I heard the story from!
The day after Christmas a attack was called, so 2 hours before midnight, they returned to the trenches, exactly at 12 AM the gunfire woke the fields of no-mans land once again.
I learned this story and many things back in High School as my teacher was a veteran and he wanted to show that Soldiers were civilians forced into a mean facade so that they can protect what they believe in, even if forced into the roll. I still appreciate that teachers words and teaching us such a warming moment for Humanity amid all the Chaos that was WW1. May all these brave souls Rest in Peace!
I will admit he didnt tell us about a Memorial though. Thanks for that! I learned something amazing today! Thanks again!
I should point out a large portion of this is mentioned in the video except a few things. I did learn this in advance and I paused the video before the second pause he did, cementing a point to only comment after you watch to the end: Don't be a dolt like me! Also I'm American, so I will admit I didn't know that my teacher was teaching something that wasn't normal to learning!
Props to your teacher for going so in depth on the Christmas truth of 1914. I too learned about it in school, but in our history school books it was covered in two pages and it was not much more than "This happend then and then. Anyway, onto the next topic". I love such war stories, but sadly they are rarely, if at all, touched upon.
Fun fact: In germany the Christmas truce is known as "das Weihnachtswunder von 1914". Literally translated it is "The christmas wonder of 1914".
@@jamestheprotogen7554 I agree, Sabaton wants to bring to light many of those moments of history. Most people didn't even know of the Last battle of WW2! It wasnt covered in history, even though it was the first instance that German and American Troops joined hands to defeat a SS unit, and even then a strong willed SS officer was also on the Allied side and sacrificed himself to save one of the hostages when he decided to charge to the top wall and open fire in line of sight of the enemy. Many a hero tale went unsaid, some forgotten to time forever already
@@joshuaturcotte6724 THIS! And I think it's kinda sad that I learned MORE about history through Sabaton than I did in the entire time I went to school.
We did have one history teacher with whom we would get sidetracked regularly, but even so, in the time we had with him (and half the time in his lessons were bad dad-history-jokes) we were ahead of other classes in the same year of teaching and even learned a good bit of out-of-book history. He went in depth about certain parts that were either imprtant historical events, neat stories or both.
Wasn't there instance of soldiers on both sides just refusing to fight afterwards?
Sabaton didn't even know they were filming. They were on their days off here.
*FINALLY* someone got what he’s playing on the piano! You are the only reactor to get it that I’ve seen! I knew you’d tell more history of this monumental event. Thank you.
Never forget
floor jansen at the end was the cherry on top
im from belgium and loved every moment of the song and when we actually visited the trenches on excursion "i think i was the only one" (same as the one in bastogne but then for battle of the bulge)
i love my history and if my country is in it even more so
one day i hope to visit waterloo for the exibits there
i think the place its in is called Ieper and its like an open air museum now big that part
small diffrances we are thought
1. it happend all across the western front only places is was hard to get a truce was the invaded lands as belgium and france.
2. it started a bit before christmas and some truces lasted until january until high command broke it up with an artillery barage
3. there is a story going around of a german top sniper having a smoke with a british officer
sorry for the nitpicks and thank you for the video
This video gives me goosebumps everytime, even I have seen it many times...amazing. Love your reactions, always.
To me the crazy part is how true you are. I'm 25. But I've talked to 14 and 17 year Olds students at my old school that have no idea about this. Yet I remember it was one of my favorite history lessons in 5th and 6th grade. It's just confusing how we don't teach even in the worst of places. A light can shine if only briefly.
This song and video really touched me as one of my great grandads (royal field artillery) was on the western front when this happened. He wrote home and told my great granny about it. In some places they continued with a daily half hour truce so the dead could be removed and buried.
The generals from all sides were livid at this unofficial truce and said if anyone continued to ignore orders then they would be shot as cowards. Obviously this was very hard to implement and didn’t have much impact on the soldiers stuck in cold wet trenches with no food, dry clothes or shelter.
Thank you so much for doing this reaction and explaining the history behind the song.
Love from Scotland 💕🤗🏴
P.s. There are documented cases of soldiers exchanging addresses and keeping in touch with each other or the families after the war.
Yes, I'm swedish and the coldest weather I've performed in was minus 10 degrees celsius. It was tough trying to move my fingers after a while on the keyboard and the singing was even tougher but we did it.
Read somewhere how In the bloody beaches of Anzio during operation shingle 1944 - The allies were under constant axis artillery fire - Americans started playing baseball once a week at the same time - And the shooting stopped untill the game was over - These things are so touching. Later in Monte Cassino a truce was made again to bery the dead and gather the wounded who laid there side by side. In my country in Finland a Russian prisoner captive party was seen crawling in the nomans land by the soldier in guarg duty, He yelled at them - Go away or i shoot, I dont want to, cause we have bullet saving campaign going on. The Russian officer in charge commanded his man up and led them back in formation. For a two weeks that section got no russian artillery fire on them. Lot more similar things has happened everywhere thank god.
I learnt this in history, live in the UK. Stunning song by Sabaton.
This is the only christmas song i want to hear play on play on repeat in the stores.
Why, no Floor? The ending credits is beautiful!!!!! 💯
Stay safe 🤘🇺🇸🇩🇰🤘
A well known and celebrated incident by most European countries. Always gives me chills thinking if it and Sabaton definitely did it justice.
Oh... And playing instruments in that weather... There's tricks to it lol. Brass, don't put the mouthpiece to your lips till essential. Fingerless gloves for any instrument that needs a firm hole - finger closure (like clarinets as I used to play)and take it in shifts to warm your fingers back up 😂
God that brings back memories of outdoor Christmas concerts in my youth 🤦🏻♀️😂❄️🎷🎶🌧️
I tear up when I think about this part of history and than these talentend Bastards come and make me cry more with this amazing Song. The Christmas truce is like a desperate grasp for humanity in a dark time.
The story makes me think of the old (well, Vietnam war era) quote "suppose there's a war and nobody goes".
Like...imagine the leaders declare a war and the soldiers just flatly refuse.
The video/song really kicks you in the feels... And it is a moment in history that gives hope for humanity...
By the way... You missed the beatiful outro by Floor Janssen 😮
Yeah I know I heard
I was told incidents similar to this happened on multiple occasions that dated back to about a few months earlier where certain places would hold a short truce so both sides can gather as many people they could from no man’s land and bury them. During this specific truce, both sides had to move a lot of bodies so they could play their game of football and hang out. Such a beautiful story
This is a song which describes the actuall events of 1914 but it easily translates to today. There is too much division, we need more understanding and cooperation. Yes, we are different, thankfully, but we need to understand eachother and accept the differencies. At the 3nd of the line, we are all human with all our flaws and qualities.
I deepoly respect Sabaton for their educational role, they tell us stories from our violent past, but they do it in a very informative and unbiased way. And besides that, their music is amasing. Music plus message, a rare combination, both done perfectly. Big thumbs up!
I agree with you, I believe people should get to know more about this kind of moments in history, people today just like to blame and argue about every little thing and don't see the sacrifices and the horrible moments people went through for all of us to enjoy our lives right now, that's what they fought for but we should never forget their sacrifice
That one moment where that tiny piece of humanity comes through is absolutely beautiful.
I did in fact know about this. It's one if those legendary stories and perfect for Sabaton. According to their history channel a similar event was attempted on the Eastern Front, but Eastern Orthodox Easter differs from Western dates and the men that attempted it were shot or captured. Inspiring song, great reaction!
It is one of the most known stories of ww1.
@@SpecterNeverSpectator Well yeah it is, but US citizens idea of history is often Justin Timberlake and Brittany Spears breakup. If we let Sabaton do our history curriculum, things would be different.
Nice reaction. I really love your Sabaton reactions.
i was taught about this event in school according to what i was taught massive sections of the lines celebrated christmas together. and again as i was taught both sides agreed to a cease fire during christmas. not a truce but a cease fire. as such entire units had to be uprooted and moved to different sections of the line as units that met each other in friendship during the events talked about refused to fight their new friends on the opposing side.
This song reminds me of Eric Bogle. He has a song called "...And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" about Gallipoli, another battle in the Great War. While it doesn't include Christmas, it includes a part that goes:
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
When we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs
Then we started all over again...
I'm reminded of the power of Christianity in those days..
Even as an atheist, I can still be awe struck, at the coming together and celebration of a joint faith, in a non-religious war.
N.B. For those that question why I would say this. I wasn't always an atheist.
This is the true Christmas spirit, what a powerful message
Can you imagine the amount of raw courage required to be the first man to climb up over the lip of the trench?
15:04 Fun fact, I'm from that region (I'm from Ypres) and in 2018 we even had a huge scale memorial where we remembered the battle of passendale (idk how you guys write it in english). Also, every evening at exactly 20:00 (aka 8pm) they play the Last post every single day (they only stopped during the german occupation during WW2 i think...) there is much more in this town but yeah... i won't spoil it for y'all whom want to come one day :)
Well, you just put your region on my travel shortlist. Thx for that and greetings from Germany! :)
@@_vinterthorn that's great! I hope you'll have a great time here :D
I remember bearing witness to that ceremony two years ago at Menin Gate, and I was quite moved by the event and during our time in Flanders. Many thanks from this history nerd from the States.
@@nobodysman143 i'm glad you enjoyed the ceremony in my lil hometown. :D it's still sad (but understandable) that during the armistice last year nobody was allowed in, the menin gate.... hopefully this year i'll be able to witness it again
Here recently, I have been watching several documentaries on WW1. In one of the episodes, it told about a lot of this type of stuff going on. They had a live and let live mentality. I couldn't imagine trying to kill one another in one moment, and then sharing a meal and whatever else. Then,when it was time to fight again, they would blow a whistle or fire a shot, and go back to fighting...
When you say Americans don't know about this, it saddens me. Not only is this an important event in history, it showcases how little we know about the rest of the world. Other countries know more about us than we do about them. I'm begining to love Sabaton more and more for their teaching us history through music. And it goes to show also what I've always said, take religion and politics out of it and let people be people.
Footboll = Foot + round boll
Handegg = Hand + oval egg
:D
This will become the new #1 Christmas song played!
These kinds of Sabaton songs are my favourite being sombre rather than the high energy that most of their songs have really makes them feel much deeper and more meaningful. Not that their other songs are worse but these hit home much more.
Christmas Day 1914, for the first time in a major war (and also the last), the two sides put down their weapons and crossed the great divide to shake hands and greet eachother as brothers.
Always love your Sabaton reactions. I've heard the story many times, but enjoyed your narration with the comments.
Fun fact joakim started as keyboard player in band and he was placed on vocals temporarly
Respect to your for keep showing people, who made it. They really deserve it
Solid reaction as always, love the fact that you share your knowledge over there, but you missed a bit as others before me has commented. The aerial singing from Floor in the end and the fact that the cross in the end actually stands in Flanders field.
When Joakim shouts "COME ON!" I respond with "GET TO THA CHOPPAH!"
Some cool Battle between the bands (Sabaton style)
Sabaton - 82nd all the way
Amaranthe - 82nd all the way
Sabaton - Carolus Rex
Follow the Cipher - Carolus Rex
Manowar - Kingdom Come
Sabaton - Kingdom Come
Amon Amarth - Twighlight of the thundergod
Sabaton - Twighlight of the tundergo
Omg a Masterpiece and at the end of the song the wonderful voice from Floor Jansen just love that song
This will now be forever be the best Christmas song for me
They have an live and acoustic version of this
Sabaton - Christmas Truce / musikhjälpen 2021
Not meaning to rub salt on the wounds, but the concert was great. Caught them in St. Louis at the second to last show. Will definitely be seeing them again when they come to the States!
woww great song.. God Blees all Vets...
On December 24th,1914.the German soldiers lit their lanterns and displayed them on the edge of their trenches, carol singing broke out. Soon enough the British and French troops joined in. Christmas greetings,played Soccer and well wishes were exchanged, and offers of a temporary ceasefire were communicated between the trenches.
They also played the most iconic game of Soccer ever recorded.
The truce lasted for two days but when their superior officers found out the soldiers on sll sides were punished. Some were transfered out,some ran,not wanting to fight. And the rest were shot right there for refusing orders to restart the battle once again. The soldiers didnt want to kill those they had met.
As the German soldiers lit their lanterns and displayed them on the edge of their trenches, carol singing broke out. Soon enoughthe British and French troops joined in. Christmas greetings and well wishes were exchanged, and offers of a temporary ceasefire were communicated between the trenches.
They also played the most iconic game of Soccer ever recorded.
The truce lasted for two days but when their superior officers found out the soldiers on sll sides were punished. Some were transfered out,some ran,not wanting to fight. And the rest were shot right there for refusing orders to restart the battle once again. The soldiers didnt want to kill those they had met.
**In 1999 a wooden cross was put up where it happened,near Ypres/Leper. It still stands and has soccer balls surrounding it's base.
Aargh..The horror!!...You cut out Floors magnificent outro... Awesome reaction though as usual, thanks! :) ... but still..Aargh!
Dang. I’m glad I watched your reaction. I had no idea the tour was cancelled, and had heard no mention of the Judas Priest guitarist being hospitalized. Sorry you didn’t get to see them. I know you would’ve enjoyed the experience. I clicked on the video expecting you to have the same countdown timer you had on your Steel Commanders reaction. And I was confused why you didn’t. That’s a shame. But like you said, there’s always next time
so true. Love from Sweden
This song will give you chills
Well Joakim was an organist before he was involved with the band. Apologies for miss spelling of his name, I am a simple ignorant 27 year old American girl.
Looking forward to seeing them live in March!
The animosities between European countries in World War I and especially World War II was (in very simple words) one of the reasons, the European Union was started. Most people see the EU as an institution of bureaucracy and useless laws, but it's actually the biggest peace project of our time. Initiatives like the "amitié Franco-Allemande", the "French-German friendship" helped to overcome prejudice but we as European citizens help to keep the peace in Europe just by being European. We can travel without being controlled at borders, we can work everywhere in Europe without much paperwork, we pay with the same money, we elect the same Politicians and we follow the same laws. If these soldiers, who decided to play football instead of shooting each other at Christmas knew, what Europe looks like today, I think they would be proud.
Oh and why I actually wanted to leave a comment: That was a great reaction and thank you for your thoughts about community and unity to "win" the battles of our time.
As a DM for 2 campaigns I appreciate your shirt. Oh great reaction!
Also the ending credit vocals is the Angel called Floor Jansen. Worth catching that.
There is a movie about this "Joyeux Noel" and Saltatio Mortis did a song (Als die Waffen schwiegen) on it aswell. Moving story.
No shit, man. This hurt my heart watching for the first time.
It would fuck me up partying with an enemy force for one day before firing at them again.
That had to be hard, that had to be the hardest.
funfact the classic christmas song goes down normaly but art the beginning sabaton plays it reversed so instead of down it goes up, in the end of the clip it goes down again
It happened early on in the war because the soldiers had no real hard feelings for the other side, once gas and other stuff became involved and the fighting got ugly they started to hate the men in the other trench, but at this point early on no one knew this was going to be a great war, didnt take it too seriously and thought it would be over soon, and afterwards officers forbade any sort of fraternization
Oh,I knew this story since I was small ,and I'm an American.
There is similar events from the ANZAC of 1 day truce for collecting the dead and socializing
Also I like snoopy vs the red baron Christmas bells song on this truce
This war continued until 1945. But, in the case of some countries, the suffering continued until 1989-90, according to a napkin
Wellspoken words! Sorry you didn't get to see Sabaton / Judas Priest live, I know how much you have been looking forward to it. Once they get back to US i am sure Pär or Joakim would hook you up with front row tickets... cause you know... They're Swedish :)
"They are swedish, thats what they do" Haha, as a norwegian, I can confirm this.
What a production.
But... it's Sabaton...so...lol
I don't remember the band members names right now but in your video at around 13:40 it looks like he gives the other one a "snusprilla" after recieving a drawing which is a small pouch of tobacco you put under your lip that is really popular here in Sweden. And also something that we naturally offer if there are other "snusare" in a group of friends. At least around my parts. It's as natural as bumming a cig to us. A nice callback to how they shared sililiar things on that day.
The soldiers of the Christmas truce found out, that they actually had more in common with the poor bastard in the other trench, than with their own generals!
I would love to see a concert version of this.
And a lot of Americans do know about this... At least those who were born before millennials.
We get taught this in school in the UK.
Loved this. To bad you did let it finish playing so we could hear Floor sing. But nevertheless awesome.
I feel like at 3.25, he's about to say "Come with me if you want to live!". Very apt, to be honest, not just because of the Arnold Schwarzenegger reference, but because this song highlights the one way of connecting soldiers from both sides of a conflict. Most were Christians, so of course they believed in Christmas. Shaking hands, basically saying "Hey, I may kill you in the morning, but at least get to know me as a Human Being tonight"... poignant, harrowing, but still oh so Christmas!
This is probably their most emotional song ever
Always impressed by Sabaton, and this was exceptional even for them. Always enjoy your videos, and this was exceptional even for you.
I learned about this when I was growing up, though I don't think it was through school.
Here in Italy we study this episode during high school, at least I studied it 16 years ago in high school xDDD
Amazing reaction as always, but i wanted to talk about the part you talk this wasnt an initiative from commanders, some people learn it occurred because the pope wrote a letter, yep, the pope whote a letter begging for a truce, but the christmas truce is an event apart, thank you for make it clear! I hate wars, but study them a lot and sometimes history is made upon a wrong narrative. Keep going with your amazing reactions! Oh and by any means want to offend you, but this event make me think how the ones in the power sometimes uses us as just pawns in these war games.
I highly recommend everyone to watch movie Merry Christmas (2005). It's about Christmas truce and one of my all time favourites movies ever. Also great song, amazing reaction, keep it up :)
Had to have the balls to walk out there but even bigger balls to be the soldier to order halt fire....
Joakim actually played the Hammond Organ and Synthesizers before starting to sing.
Don't stopp at the end then subtitles come. It's Floor Jansen sing at the end.
Too late muted sound on credits to say thank you so I’m sure I will get crucified
Didn’t know and it’s a REAL reaction no idea she was on the credits
@@OldSkuleNerd We will take this up in the next Chrismas Truce. :-P
It was nice to see Mr. Jensen display his acting chops . . .
Even enemies can show respect