Many in my family are serving or have served in the US Military. I want to thank you for reminding us of this bit of history. The soldiers, sailors, and airmen are the people who suffer the greatest losses when countries choose to war with each other.
A great singer and a wonderful story!It is of those who fight wars and don’t make policies. The leaders force the young men of their respective countries to deal with the carnage and death. God Bless the soldiers who go off to fight for the politicians. Thank you Mr McDermott for a wonderful song of man’s caring of his fellow man for a short while during “Hell on Earth”!
Made me remember my great uncle, Albert Henry Standing, an apprentice brickmaker, from Fittleworth, West Sussex...disappeared 33 days before Christmas, 1917, on the battlefield of Cambrai...Merry Christmas, Albert....
My father (1897-1970) was an infantry NCO in WWI and a commissioned officer in WWII. Wounded 3 times in each war. I spent 32 years in the US Army, first 8 years as an enlisted Airborne Infantry/ Ranger; the rest as an Airborne Infantry/ Special Forces officer. 5 years, 8 months total time in close combat. Wounded about a dozen times. ANYWAY. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1960s, when music and fabulous musicians were everywhere. I've been playing guitar and singing since I was 5 years old. BUT. This song? I've played it many times, but I've never been able to sing it because I fall to pieces. I can play with a big knot in my throat, but not sing. Every person in touch with his/ her heart should be deeply moved by it. We combat vets? I don't believe I've ever seen ANY of us -- from ANY Christian country -- without tears running. But I come back to it every year. Thank you, John McCutcheon, for this magnificent song.
The first time I learned about this bit of history was watching the Doctor Who special with Peter Capaldi and now I've discovered the song. It's one of my favorite pieces of history to learn of and now the song has to be my most favorite.
I am listening to this on Christmas Eve, thinking of the soldiers of both sides who died bravely for their respective countries. What a terribly needless tragedy was WWI. May God cradle the fallen forever in His Loving Arms. Merry Christmas to all this night.
I just love John, and his music / voice. This is such a fantastic and beautiful masterpiece. I just got through listening to “My Old Man”, twice, tears and all.
I find the strains of 'Minstrel Boy' (at 5.16) a very poignant addition to this song. Coming from someone who lost loved ones during a much more recent conflict, this song will aways bring a tear to my eye. What's hapeend to civilisation in the last 90 years that we've gone from this (The christmas truce) to suicide bombings of civilians and non military targets??? May God forgive us our trespasses... Thank you for posting this macrosent. 5*'s GC88.
Their a quote From Black Beauty that I always have in mind "If we got to decide thing maybe there would be no war." That a solder to anther solder. If I'm remembering that correctly.
When I was a Child I wanted to Join up, but Illness forced me not to. As well, when I was a child I heard that the word "War" Was acutely an acronym. It meant "We. Are. Right" and everyone that commits war is trying to prove that. In the end, It always saddened me that we never want to commit "Wats" ..."We. Are. The. Same"
This sounds like soldiers of a reluctant war, which WWI should have been. I can't imagine this ever happening in the wars of the 21st century, sad to say. We should sing Silent Night just to remember what peace is like.
My wife had me listen to this song. O cried.
Many in my family are serving or have served in the US Military. I want to thank you for reminding us of this bit of history. The soldiers, sailors, and airmen are the people who suffer the greatest losses when countries choose to war with each other.
I can’t listen to this without tears.
Me too
Yup! Happens every time!
Same
Our minister sang this in the Christmas Eve service yesterday. What could be more appropriate to celebrate the ‘prince of peace’?
A great singer and a wonderful story!It is of those who fight wars and don’t make policies. The leaders force the young men of their respective countries to deal with the carnage and death.
God Bless the soldiers who go off to fight for the politicians. Thank you Mr McDermott for a wonderful song of man’s caring of his fellow man for a short while during “Hell on Earth”!
RIP to the brave young soldiers who died on both sides in that terrible war :(
I wish this is what they meant by "the war to end all wars".
O, dear God, this song broght stream of tears from my eyes.......
Made me remember my great uncle, Albert Henry Standing, an apprentice brickmaker, from Fittleworth, West Sussex...disappeared 33 days before Christmas, 1917, on the battlefield of Cambrai...Merry Christmas, Albert....
My Grandfather was on the Western Front in 1914. What a wonderful Song.
Beautiful! Not enough people like that today! He who hesitates is NOT always lost. He may just make a friend instead of an enemy!
My father (1897-1970) was an infantry NCO in WWI and a commissioned officer in WWII. Wounded 3 times in each war.
I spent 32 years in the US Army, first 8 years as an enlisted Airborne Infantry/ Ranger; the rest as an Airborne Infantry/ Special Forces officer. 5 years, 8 months total time in close combat. Wounded about a dozen times.
ANYWAY. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee in the 1960s, when music and fabulous musicians were everywhere. I've been playing guitar and singing since I was 5 years old. BUT. This song? I've played it many times, but I've never been able to sing it because I fall to pieces. I can play with a big knot in my throat, but not sing.
Every person in touch with his/ her heart should be deeply moved by it. We combat vets? I don't believe I've ever seen ANY of us -- from ANY Christian country -- without tears running.
But I come back to it every year. Thank you, John McCutcheon, for this magnificent song.
Took my breath away. What an emotional song. War how sad
I am one of the boots on the ground I enjoy this song thanks for posting this...
The first time I learned about this bit of history was watching the Doctor Who special with Peter Capaldi and now I've discovered the song. It's one of my favorite pieces of history to learn of and now the song has to be my most favorite.
truly haunting song. bravo john.
cheers from sunny San Diego
I am listening to this on Christmas Eve, thinking of the soldiers of both sides who died bravely for their respective countries. What a terribly needless tragedy was WWI. May God cradle the fallen forever in His Loving Arms. Merry Christmas to all this night.
Beautiful.
My 10 year old and I just finished a novel, "In the Trenches" that included that scene. My son will love this video!
Awesome, that you’re sharing this song and history, with a 10 year old.
You’re wonderful.
John McDermott is amazing.
If a song were made of the sinking of the LEOPOLDVILLE SHIP, there would be many tears.
I love John McDermott's version of this song, and what a great live staging of it. Thanks very much for posting.
goos bumps every time. God bless our troops
Wow, peace...
I just love John, and his music / voice.
This is such a fantastic and beautiful masterpiece.
I just got through listening to “My Old Man”, twice, tears and all.
I find the strains of 'Minstrel Boy' (at 5.16) a very poignant addition to this song.
Coming from someone who lost loved ones during a much more recent conflict, this song will aways bring a tear to my eye.
What's hapeend to civilisation in the last 90 years that we've gone from this (The christmas truce) to suicide bombings of civilians and non military targets???
May God forgive us our trespasses...
Thank you for posting this macrosent.
5*'s
GC88.
So very touching and heartbreaking. Peace on Earth ,goodwill toward men
Thank you
The fact that there is one dislike proves that some people will dislike ANYTHING. This was beautiful.
Their a quote From Black Beauty that I always have in mind "If we got to decide thing maybe there would be no war." That a solder to anther solder. If I'm remembering that correctly.
A wonderful performance with a true heartfelt message.
Chills every time. Thank you for posting this!
Was there every a better time to sing this most moving song?
Thank you for your comments. -Mac
i love his voice
When I was a Child I wanted to Join up, but Illness forced me not to. As well, when I was a child I heard that the word "War" Was acutely an acronym. It meant "We. Are. Right" and everyone that commits war is trying to prove that. In the end, It always saddened me that we never want to commit "Wats" ..."We. Are. The. Same"
This sounds like soldiers of a reluctant war, which WWI should have been. I can't imagine this ever happening in the wars of the 21st century, sad to say. We should sing Silent Night just to remember what peace is like.
Beautiful. It seems all wars can be traced to family feuds and the history gets covered up.
@SW28fan Did he take part in the Christmas Truce?
@TheJSarge I don't know, he died before I was born. I just know when he was called up and that he served on the Western Front.
Adolph Hitler was there at that time. He didn't approve of the truce but didn't break it.