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.
It was Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung.
The frozen field 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 lyin' with my mess-mates 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 singin' bloddy well you know", my partner says to me.
Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony.
The cannons rested silent. The gas cloud rolled no more
as Christmas brought us respite from the war.
As soon as they were finished 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 toungues one song filled up that sky.
"There's someone commin' towards us" the front-line sentry cried.
All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side.
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
as he bravely strode, unarmed, into the night.
Then one by one on either side walked into no-mans-land
with neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand.
We shared some secret brandy and wished each other well
and in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes and photgraphs from home
these sons and fathers far away from families of their own.
Young Sanders played his squeeze box 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 began to settle back to war.
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
"whose family have I fixed within my sights?"
It was 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 for ever more.
My name is Francis Tolliver. In Liverpool I dwell.
Each Christmas come since World War One I've learned it's 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.
— John Mccutcheon, "Christmas in the Trenches"
Have a wonderful day!
up
9 users have voted.
—
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
@Lookout
real peace expressed
if only for a spell
thanks for sharing this LO!
Peace to all!
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.
It was Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung.
The frozen field 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 lyin' with my mess-mates 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 singin' bloddy well you know", my partner says to me.
Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony.
The cannons rested silent. The gas cloud rolled no more
as Christmas brought us respite from the war.
As soon as they were finished 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 toungues one song filled up that sky.
"There's someone commin' towards us" the front-line sentry cried.
All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side.
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
as he bravely strode, unarmed, into the night.
Then one by one on either side walked into no-mans-land
with neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand.
We shared some secret brandy and wished each other well
and in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes and photgraphs from home
these sons and fathers far away from families of their own.
Young Sanders played his squeeze box 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 began to settle back to war.
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
"whose family have I fixed within my sights?"
It was 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 for ever more.
My name is Francis Tolliver. In Liverpool I dwell.
Each Christmas come since World War One I've learned it's 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.
or, should you prefer, Pumpkin Pie Day and/or No 'L' Day.
OK, thass over with. I imagine whole famblies gathered 'round the tree and the head of household declaring "Know all men by these presents ... (something or other)" Pretty bad, I know, but it's early It is not raining here and isn't supposed to for the rest of the day. We will spend the afternoon and evening down San Jose way, but it is supposed to be dry there too. On one of our more recent beach/cost picnics, I managed to lose our spiffy wine carrier, so today we will make our inaugural use of the replacement I purchased a couple of months ago.
That "know all men ..." phrase, fwiw is antiquated legalese, from the latin, and means something along the lines of "lissen up", "take note" or "pay attention". Probably no need to at the moment. Certainly not to this drivel.
It may not be raining but it is still cold, or at least California cold, and the boids need their feeders replenished, so I better get it in gear.
Happy whatever, if anything, you celebrate to each and every one of y'all.
be well and have a good one
up
7 users have voted.
—
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
loved to eat
would announce the meal:
bless the cook, hell on the dishwasher
(the cookie on board did both)
enjoy your picnic!
bwango
or, should you prefer, Pumpkin Pie Day and/or No 'L' Day.
OK, thass over with. I imagine whole famblies gathered 'round the tree and the head of household declaring "Know all men by these presents ... (something or other)" Pretty bad, I know, but it's early It is not raining here and isn't supposed to for the rest of the day. We will spend the afternoon and evening down San Jose way, but it is supposed to be dry there too. On one of our more recent beach/cost picnics, I managed to lose our spiffy wine carrier, so today we will make our inaugural use of the replacement I purchased a couple of months ago.
That "know all men ..." phrase, fwiw is antiquated legalese, from the latin, and means something along the lines of "lissen up", "take note" or "pay attention". Probably no need to at the moment. Certainly not to this drivel.
It may not be raining but it is still cold, or at least California cold, and the boids need their feeders replenished, so I better get it in gear.
Happy whatever, if anything, you celebrate to each and every one of y'all.
loved to eat
would announce the meal:
bless the cook, hell on the dishwasher
(the cookie on board did both)
enjoy your picnic!
bwango
up
5 users have voted.
—
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Comments
Hey, good morning
It's been years since exploring the
island nation, but the images remain.
~
~
Reindeer, seals and Arctic Terns can be seen in Vatnajökull National Park.
~
https://playiceland.is/the-ultimate-guide-to-vatnajokull-national-park/
question everything
Happy Merry
.
.
Cheers!
question everything
Merry Christmas C99!
Peace to all!
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.
It was Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung.
The frozen field 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 lyin' with my mess-mates 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 singin' bloddy well you know", my partner says to me.
Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony.
The cannons rested silent. The gas cloud rolled no more
as Christmas brought us respite from the war.
As soon as they were finished 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 toungues one song filled up that sky.
"There's someone commin' towards us" the front-line sentry cried.
All sights were fixed on one lone figure trudging from their side.
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
as he bravely strode, unarmed, into the night.
Then one by one on either side walked into no-mans-land
with neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand.
We shared some secret brandy and wished each other well
and in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes and photgraphs from home
these sons and fathers far away from families of their own.
Young Sanders played his squeeze box 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 began to settle back to war.
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
"whose family have I fixed within my sights?"
It was 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 for ever more.
My name is Francis Tolliver. In Liverpool I dwell.
Each Christmas come since World War One I've learned it's 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.
— John Mccutcheon, "Christmas in the Trenches"
Have a wonderful day!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
A wonderful poem
real peace expressed
if only for a spell
thanks for sharing this LO!
question everything
To everyone at c99...
Have a Merry Christmas and a Cool Yule!
back atchya dude
hope you enjoy your
country christmas
question everything
Hola Cap;n Q, et. al. Happy "Kiss the cook Day",
or, should you prefer, Pumpkin Pie Day and/or No 'L' Day.
OK, thass over with. I imagine whole famblies gathered 'round the tree and the head of household declaring "Know all men by these presents ... (something or other)" Pretty bad, I know, but it's early It is not raining here and isn't supposed to for the rest of the day. We will spend the afternoon and evening down San Jose way, but it is supposed to be dry there too. On one of our more recent beach/cost picnics, I managed to lose our spiffy wine carrier, so today we will make our inaugural use of the replacement I purchased a couple of months ago.
That "know all men ..." phrase, fwiw is antiquated legalese, from the latin, and means something along the lines of "lissen up", "take note" or "pay attention". Probably no need to at the moment. Certainly not to this drivel.
It may not be raining but it is still cold, or at least California cold, and the boids need their feeders replenished, so I better get it in gear.
Happy whatever, if anything, you celebrate to each and every one of y'all.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Worked with a very large tugboat capt.
loved to eat
would announce the meal:
bless the cook, hell on the dishwasher
(the cookie on board did both)
enjoy your picnic!
bwango
question everything
Bwango Django
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Some good news
.
US shuts down its ‘disinformation’ agency
Thanks Musk
https://www.rt.com/news/609944-us-closes-disinformation-agency/
question everything
A little something to put you in the Christmas spirit.
There is a whole lot more besides Trump.