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.
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.
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....
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
![Christmas Truce of World War I -- Joyeux Noel [2005 film]](/img/n.gif)
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.
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.
I can’t listen to this without tears.
Me too
Yup! Happens every time!
My wife had me listen to this song. O cried.
RIP to the brave young soldiers who died on both sides in that terrible war :(
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”!
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....
If a song were made of the sinking of the LEOPOLDVILLE SHIP, there would be many tears.
Took my breath away. What an emotional song. War how sad
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 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.
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.
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.
John McDermott is amazing.
Beautiful.
Beautiful! Not enough people like that today! He who hesitates is NOT always lost. He may just make a friend instead of an enemy!
I wish this is what they meant by "the war to end all wars".
Was there every a better time to sing this most moving song?
I love John McDermott's version of this song, and what a great live staging of it. Thanks very much for posting.
So very touching and heartbreaking. Peace on Earth ,goodwill toward men
The fact that there is one dislike proves that some people will dislike ANYTHING. This was beautiful.
truly haunting song. bravo john.
cheers from sunny San Diego
My Grandfather was on the Western Front in 1914. What a wonderful Song.
goos bumps every time. God bless our troops
I am one of the boots on the ground I enjoy this song thanks for posting this...
A wonderful performance with a true heartfelt message.
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.
Wow, peace...
Chills every time. Thank you for posting this!
Thank you
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.
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.
i love his voice
Beautiful. It seems all wars can be traced to family feuds and the history gets covered up.
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"
Thank you for your comments. -Mac
@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.
@SW28fan Did he take part in the Christmas Truce?
Adolph Hitler was there at that time. He didn't approve of the truce but didn't break it.