It wasn't an official truce. Both sides just decided we will not kill this day. Germans were the one that started singing carols. The Generals of course hated it. Also its a waltz, and that is Carol of the Bell backwards.
Engineer for Sabaton...."we need someone to sing the end credits" Hannes van Dahl say's "hold my beer while I a make a quick call"...indeed, it is Floor!
Joakim: "We need the voice of a Valkyrie for the end of the video" Hannes: "Wait, I have one at home, lend me your phone, hey babe, could you help us with something?"
The carol of the bells was done on purpose and according to Joakim this song is a waltz and they yelled across no man’s land saying “if you don’t shoot we don’t shoot” in the Sabaton History episode talks more about but pretty much everybody was tired of the fighting and killing making a truce without high command and the government’s permission
As others have said the Soccer game really did happen, with some people keeping score, though what the actual scores were depends on who you ask. As explained in the Sabaton History and the Extra History episodes on Christmas Truce (which I highly recommend checking out by the way) this event was specific to these specific sides in this specific location, with attempted copies in other areas being unsuccessful for various reasons. For the song itself I like it and agree that the piano is the key instrument here. Having it fade into the background wouldn't suit a song like this so it's good that it's prominent throughout it. As far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) the opera outro is only present on the MV version of the song with the album version ending before it. Sabaton History Christmas Truce EP: czcams.com/video/LJq64dF5ZfQ/video.html Extra History Christmas Truce EPs: czcams.com/video/WUlPNWDvk-c/video.html czcams.com/video/9Pey-HmXGfs/video.html
The field where they played football has a wooden cross at the side of it, which says 'The Khaki Chums, Christmas Truce 1914', which normally has a number of wreaths around it.
Loved this song from the very first moment listening to it, but when I finally saw my guys live the first time in April and Pär asking the audience to turn on the flashlights of their phones, singing with them, hit on a different level...great reaction as always, thank you so much!
I just knew you would have an emotional "outburst" (at the Cross scene) concerning our total disregard for history and how we, as a people, never seem to learn from our own history given your reaction to what you read at the end of Sabaton's "1916" video (to paraphrase... "How much is a man's life worth, more importantly a soldier's life worth.........1/50k of a mile.....congratulations....congratulations"). As a vet your reaction then, as it is now, really hits home with me and as much as I respect your musical insights in all of your reviews you've gained even a larger amount of respect from me for moments like these.
The First World War started because, in the words of my history teacher, "someone nobody had ever heard of killed someone nobody liked over a piece of land nobody wanted." The cross shown in the video does exist. It's in a field near West Flanders, Belgium. It was actually erected in 1999, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Truce. And it does bear the inscription "Lest We Forget".
Not the same cross though. The one the vid is a prop. The one existing at the location is considerably smaller/fatter, and wasn't erected until early 90's
You would be right that it was Carol of the Bells. This was definitely a Christmas miracle, as it has never happened again in any war. I really enjoyed your reaction. Trench warfare is definitely brutal. My grandfather was blown out of a trench in Germany during WW2. He unfortunately did not live much longer after the war ended, having died in 1956. I was wondering if you would've recognized Floor's singing in this😊
There were Christmas truces in other places during the war, mostly on the Eastern front, though. Generals on the Western front made sure to quell any attempt by putting soldiers hard at work during those days.
@@1982jeepcj8 it isn't, that would sound completely different. It is the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the third cord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition
It was not only the credit vocals. Floor recorded vocals for symphonic version of the album, both this album and The Great War. They used symphonic version of the song for the end credits
Yes, Carol of the Bells, but played backwards. The video was made by people that usually make movies. When the world shut down that included making movies, so they had time for this. Sabaton helping out folks that needed a paycheck.
It isn't, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
The truce occurred five months after hostilities had begun. Lulls occurred in the fighting as armies ran out of men and munitions and commanders reconsidered their strategies following the stalemate of the Race to the Sea and the indecisive result of the First Battle of Ypres. In the week leading up to 25 December, French, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carolling. Men played games of football with one another, creating one of the most memorable images of the truce. Hostilities continued in some sectors, while in others the sides settled on little more than arrangements to recover bodies.
Love your review/ analysis, David. You are right about the Carol Of The Bells. It is a variation (root up to 3rd instead of tonic down to 3rd) that gives it more emotional weight. You also talk about video, sometimes, exaggerating for dramatic purposes. Well they DID play football, there is a sculpture about that, and there is a real cross that is located in Belgium. A quick Google search will bring up images of the real things. I did count 3 exaggerations, tho. A piano in the trench, an old acoustic guitar sounding like a high gain Charvel and Tommy's moustache. That last one is just hilarious ! Keep 'em coming, mate... love your channel !
The trench piano isn't an exaggeration - there's a photo of a full sized piano in a WWI trench somewhere, and specific pianos were made for soldiers, called "trench organs"; they were small, lightweight and collapsible and therefore easy to cart around. Piano, therefore, yes. Big piercings and Metal hair, not so much!
The soccer game (well, not sure it can called an actual soccer game, probably more like soldiers kicking a ball around), most definitely took place...and not just one. There are dozens of reports of this happening all along the western front. Also, this truce wasn't "official". It wasn't official, so at different places, the truce was different as well. Some truces lasted only over Christmas itself where the longest truce I have heard of lasted almost until new years day. As has been mentioned in other comments, the higher ups weren't thrilled at _all_ about that - I mean, how can you have a decent war if the soldiers on both sides refuse to shoot each other? Afterwards, entire regiments had to be shifted along the front, since the soldiers refused to shoot on the guys on the other side, who they learned were just humans like themselves. For 1915, the brass ordered artillery barrages, so no-one could leave the trenches and anyone trying to initiate something similar was threatened with court martial. Of course, by 1915 a lot had happened in the war and the situation/mood was quite different - not sure a similar truce would have been possible even without those measures from the higher ups.
I love Sabaton's music videos. The production value is amazing, like a short film rather than a music video! David, if you really want to experience Sabaton you should try to see them in Europe where they play larger venues like stadiums so you will get the full stage show, all the pyro and the set-up. They regularly play for 30 000+ audiences in Europe. I know it's expensive to travel but maybe you can make it into a metal pilgrimage for one of the major festivals ;-) We'd love to see you and Mrs. Heretic in Europe.
Before the world wars, German was a fairly widely spoken langauge in Britain (I believe the most common second language), so there would have been a decent number of the Brits who'd be able to speak German, as well as the Germans who spoke English. In the aftermath, the two armies moved soldiers around and ordered heavy bombardments in order to try and disuade anyone from doing it again in the future (hard to win a war and stop an expansionist power if your soldiers don't want to fight). We don't see it as much today because more recent wars have been a lot more personal/felt more personal to the soldiers fighting. WW1 at the start, the armies considered themselves to be professionals just doing a job, so had a decent amount of respect for each other (initially at least, gas attacks and the prolonged war kinda soured that). There's stories of soldiers from each side bumping into each other after the war in Belgium and France when visiting their fallen friends, and Brits and Germans going for a drink or two to tell stories about their fallen comrades. At Langemark (one of two German WW1 war graves in Belgium), there's a statue of three Germans soldiers, but very rounded and non-aggressive, holding their hats in their hands, watching over their friends, as a reminder that even if these were invaders, they had people who were left behind. WW2 was a different story, Germany was seen as even more of a villian than before, and people hadn't gotten over the effects of the last war (a lot of those soldiers had lost fathers/uncles in WW1), so there was no real discussion of a repeat of the 1914 Christmas Truce.
It's not necessarily a different story in WW2. I had a friend who was in the Wehrmacht. I met him through the Swedish peace movement. His best friend there was a british soldier. My friend used to tell a story from WW2 when they had been stationed at a new post, guarding a small bridge or some such. Suddenly, a bunch of US soldiers entered. Turned out they had been stationed there so long they had started to communicate with the previous German troops. They had started with playing music, then just shouted greetings. Now they used to meet to play cards and drink wine. Sadly enough, the US soldiers were arrested as the new German officer was scared of being executed for treason if he let them go. They hadn't had any time to build up trust. But even during this year, soldiers preferred not having to kill (my friend was force conscripted, he had previously been placed in a concentration camp for being against the nazis).
When I first heard/saw this I had recently learned that my country had sent soldiers to fight abroad every single year since WW1 - truly "a war that never ends", even a century on. It was the song/video that turned me into a Sabaton fan, and I cry watching it most times (sometimes twice, when Hannes comes out of the trench and when Pär carves 2021 on the cross). "Lest We Forget" is from Kipling's poem _Recessional,_ which got some hate when it was first published for Victoria's jubilee because it tells how all empires must come to an end. It could be Sabaton's mission statement!
An incredible story of humanity, where common soldiers forcibly conscripted to fight in a war they didn't want to fight decided among themselves they should not be enemies and that Christmas should mean something. They did actually play soccer. Few of the soldiers afterwards wanted to fight against the friends they made during those days, many were transferred to other fronts. The generals threatened court martial and firing squads for anyone if such a truce ever happened again, they did not want a friendly face assigned to the enemy. This was a true miracle and really shows that some of the greatness that is possible from humanity. Sadly though, wars are born and created by politicians, bureaucrats and big business, but they are never the ones made to fight these wars, instead they send others to die for their own inability to work things out peaceably. War is good for business, war is good for politicians it gives the population something else to focus on instead of them, but is so hard on the common person. Sometimes I wish if we had to go to war that only the politicians and businessmen that caused the war were the only ones sent to fight, perhaps then they wouldn't be so keep to start a war so quickly. That outro is really something great. I love the song not only for it's music, but also for it's message and a reminder that miracles can happen, even at the worst of times. And yes that was carol of the Bells, as others have mentioned.
A lot of different discussions about them playing soccer. It has been said thet they did some " kick-around" with footballs. And some soldiers said that one match did happen and that Germany beat the allies 3 - 2. If it´s true, I don´t know but there was a documentary where a soldier mentioned this.
I'd missed this song when it was released so the first time I heard it was on the tour with BABYMETAL and Lordi back in May where Sabaton were headlining. Being British and sat in a concert hall in Munich Germany with a load of metal brothers and sisters listening to this and thinking about this history.. and the weirdness of history repeating itself with the Russia situation.. was the highlight of their set for me
Sir, your rant at the end was glorious and true. So true. I study history and I’m continuously wondering why we repeat. And repeat. And repeat. We’re repeating right now and it seems so few see it. Because the history of WWII has been forgotten. Lest we forget. We’ve already forgotten. Christmas Truce is one of my favorite Sabaton because they do justice to a unique and uniquely beautiful moment in history that, to my knowledge, had never occurred before and has never occurred since. “Voices sang to me from no man’s land…” So yes to Carol of the Bells, which uses the melody of the traditional Ukrainian song, Shchedryk. Ukrainians fought on both sides of the war because the Ukraine had been divided between Austria-Hungary and Russia. I think choosing that carol was very purposeful. Sabaton does so much research.
I agree that there are musically more interesting songs by Sabaton. However, I think this is their best video. I think, this is one of the most important music videos ever made, and the world would be better if we could show this video to all of mankind. And we are proud of you that you caught onto Floor; many reviewers do not manage that. ;-) PS: Yes; playing soccer (or at least kicking a ball around) is documented historically. PPS: The cross at the end with the inscription Is real; it is placed on the actual location in Belgium. PPPS:?They actually blew up the Piano used in the video at the end.
It wasn't one truce, it was many, all of them negotiated individually. The pope had called for a truce and it was something many thought of, especially among the catholics who were mostly germans. A strange form of communication had started months before when people had started to play music for each others over no man's land, sometimes yelling out sport results or just nonsensical jokes. A form of cameradie had already developed before the truce. Some people who tried to call for truce on Christmas days got shot by snipers. In other places, negotiations succeeded and the truce lasted anything from a few hours to more than a month. In some places officers had a hard time to get soldiers to fight again, calling in people from other areas or ordered artillery shells to get the war running again. By next Christmas, armies had started to rotate troops to make sure no one would get to know each other so they would have an easier time continuing to kill. Absolutely do read the stories about the truce, because in all tragedy, some of them were hilarious, such as the Germans who were stationed by a brewery and gave beer to the British and got a plum pudding back. And the Germans who refused to go back to threnches, infuriating a british officer who couldn't kill them in cold blood and tried to convince them to go back so the killing could start again. And all over the line where there were truces, they could still hear the shelling from where there weren't. EDIT: And yes, they did play soccer in at least one place. There was also reports of a juggler, a barber making haircuts, small orchestras and much more.
I don't know if it was recorded what the first carols sung were, but 'Silent Night' has the same cadence/tune in English and German. My Grandpa was in the RAF right at the end of WW2, stationed in a former Luftwaffe base once the war was over. The first Christmas there, they all went to the local church, and you had Brits and Germans singing Silent Night in sync (with my Grandpa singing in German because he spoke it fairly well). Sainsburys (a massive british supermarket) also have a pretty moving Christmas advert about this, with the people from each side singing together, then going and exchanging gifts, I'd highly recommend watching it! czcams.com/video/NWF2JBb1bvM/video.html
This didn't hit as hard for me as 1916, but it's still a nice one. I love that at the end (before the credits), the notation switched so the last two statements of the melody were exactly the same as Carol of the Bells. I think what's remarkable about that day during the war is that it isn't political at all. And while there's a sad commentary in what came before and after, I think there's still a beauty in it -- of people who came together for a shared experience even in the midst of a horrible conflict. For that day, they interacted just as people, with no attachment or ideology that would make them enemies.
On Christmas eve the Germans were singing their version of holy night. But not to be outdone the British forces started to try and sing louder then them in what turned into a beautiful duet. That day the German shouted over to the British "Tomorrow you no shoot, we no shoot". So on Christmas day (in certain areas of the trenches not all) peace broke out. The British and German forces got to bury the dead and indeed had a friendly match of football while exchanging gifts. They didn't want to fight afterwards until forced to by the officers. One officer in the trenches that day was none of then Adolf Hitler himself. The Christmas truce is one of the most beautiful moments ever.
War is money. Lots of money. Please check out ” Lives in the balance by Jackson Brown ”, If I remember correctly the song was band from being played on the radio back in 1986 in the US. Please feel free to correct me If I’m wrong. Being from Sweden and loving this song back in the days, I never had the chance to listen to American broadcast…
Not backwards, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
@@DaP84 I trust your key assessment! It was Joakim who said it was played backward...must have meant "switched around" instead! Thank you for clarifying!
I love that you also thought and felt the impact of when Hannes stepped up the latter and the very fitting line "Madness!" was sung that This Happened! bcs someone had to be the first, even tho I do believe they did communicate tho simply by shouting but with no high command orders, there are no sure promises so to do this could indeed be called Madness
There’s a book about this event that also covers other theatres of the Great War at this time. The way I understand it, they shared rations and probably sang some carols and an impromptu game of football, but I’m no expert. I know that the general staff was NOT happy about this and was discouraged and even threatened corrective action, even capital punishment if they ever did that again. As a result, this was the only instance in the four years that this happened. Again, I could be wrong about some of this.
Yes, this happened, maybe hundrets of times. There are a lot of documented Football matches, even pictures remained of this events. In 2014, a bronze statue was placed next to the St. Luke´s Church in Liverpool, showing a british and a german Soldier shaking hands, with a Football between them on the ground
Great reaction and a good score. I think it lacks a bit of power to get a higher score but on the other hand.. I dont think it wouldnt fit the song. Just as you said, the song and the feeling is just right. ^^ That being said, I love this song and get chills everytime I hear it. I saw Sabaton in april this year and they played it and it was chilling to the core. Well... and maybe its some sabaton-gimmick but I too dont remember most of the conzert. Except a handful of songs and that it was an amazing show. Cant wait to see them again live... and probably forget most of it afterwards again. XD
I appreciate your honesty, and your request to wait until the end to give a reaction. While it's one of my favorite songs, I can understand your reasoning for not feeling that way. So, what is your favorite song from Sabaton? I was hoping to hear it in the video so I could better understand your musical perspective.
You know that Joakim was originally was the keyboarder? Wanna see him playing it again? Pleeease! Have a look on this one czcams.com/video/mAQhlGZp0bU/video.html
Před 10 měsíci+1
They played football. Germans were winning 3:2, when the ball ended on the wire and they couldn't continue the game.
Unfortunately David, there were plenty of instances of men getting out of the trenches in peace just like in the video, but the other side didnt trust it and opened fire .. plenty of peaceful men were killed all along the front. Such a terrible shame ...
Nice reaction and dead on on the score. I love this song and video but not my favorite Sabaton song either. I love how they have captured the brotherhood of arms that all veterans like myself have experienced. Yup, Carol of the Bells but slightly different and they did it on purpose. I think you need to give yourself more credit on the Floor call. I think on some subconscious level her tone resonated with you and activated your memory in the same way that a smell can trigger a memory.
Don't be too humble on yourself. You had a gut feeling the female vocals during the credits were Floor's, and you were proven to be correct. It's fine to say that you called it, lucky guess or no. I always get cold chills when I hear this song, very few songs have managed to do that. As for why we don't learn from our mistakes: war is as natural to mankind as taking a shit. We've been fighting over resources (in whichever form) for as long as we've been on this mudball, and I doubt we'll ever stop. Maybe here in the West, we'll have longer bouts of peace, but as long as we rely on other parts of the world to get what we need (be it food, fuel, etc.), we're prepared to fight them to the death over it.
it be hella sexy when their vocalist joakim broden hard rolls his R's this video also shows how smol their bass player par sundstrom is they did actually play soccer at the spot where their regimental ancestors came out from their trenches to play football on christmas day 1914 men from the 1st battalion the royal welch fusiliers played a football match with the german battalion 371 the germans won 2-1 l love that lead guitarist tommy johansson be playin the accoustic guitar like it be a electric one the rhythm guitarist be chris rorland he was the fella lookin at the pic of his "family" and the fella that got concussed by the granade be their drummer hannes van dahl l was like OMG! they killed the piano it IS carol of the bells only the timing be tweaked a bit
Timing isn't tweaked. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
Nope, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
If so they are joking. That would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
I don't know this song at all. But as a Historian the entire Christmas Truce is disgusting to me during World War 1. Not because it happened. But because it makes me wonder why we have Wars in the first place when we can set down our guns for a moment and not. Just sayin. It's pointless.
It wasn't an official truce. Both sides just decided we will not kill this day. Germans were the one that started singing carols. The Generals of course hated it. Also its a waltz, and that is Carol of the Bell backwards.
Engineer for Sabaton...."we need someone to sing the end credits" Hannes van Dahl say's "hold my beer while I a make a quick call"...indeed, it is Floor!
Joakim: "We need the voice of a Valkyrie for the end of the video"
Hannes: "Wait, I have one at home, lend me your phone, hey babe, could you help us with something?"
The carol of the bells was done on purpose and according to Joakim this song is a waltz and they yelled across no man’s land saying “if you don’t shoot we don’t shoot” in the Sabaton History episode talks more about but pretty much everybody was tired of the fighting and killing making a truce without high command and the government’s permission
As others have said the Soccer game really did happen, with some people keeping score, though what the actual scores were depends on who you ask. As explained in the Sabaton History and the Extra History episodes on Christmas Truce (which I highly recommend checking out by the way) this event was specific to these specific sides in this specific location, with attempted copies in other areas being unsuccessful for various reasons.
For the song itself I like it and agree that the piano is the key instrument here. Having it fade into the background wouldn't suit a song like this so it's good that it's prominent throughout it. As far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) the opera outro is only present on the MV version of the song with the album version ending before it.
Sabaton History Christmas Truce EP: czcams.com/video/LJq64dF5ZfQ/video.html
Extra History Christmas Truce EPs: czcams.com/video/WUlPNWDvk-c/video.html
czcams.com/video/9Pey-HmXGfs/video.html
Yes, they did play real football(Soccer) games during the Christmas truce in 1914, 24-26 December at the Western front.
The field where they played football has a wooden cross at the side of it, which says 'The Khaki Chums, Christmas Truce 1914', which normally has a number of wreaths around it.
Loved this song from the very first moment listening to it, but when I finally saw my guys live the first time in April and Pär asking the audience to turn on the flashlights of their phones, singing with them, hit on a different level...great reaction as always, thank you so much!
I just knew you would have an emotional "outburst" (at the Cross scene) concerning our total disregard for history and how we, as a people, never seem to learn from our own history given your reaction to what you read at the end of Sabaton's "1916" video (to paraphrase... "How much is a man's life worth, more importantly a soldier's life worth.........1/50k of a mile.....congratulations....congratulations"). As a vet your reaction then, as it is now, really hits home with me and as much as I respect your musical insights in all of your reviews you've gained even a larger amount of respect from me for moments like these.
The First World War started because, in the words of my history teacher, "someone nobody had ever heard of killed someone nobody liked over a piece of land nobody wanted."
The cross shown in the video does exist. It's in a field near West Flanders, Belgium. It was actually erected in 1999, to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Truce. And it does bear the inscription "Lest We Forget".
Not the same cross though. The one the vid is a prop. The one existing at the location is considerably smaller/fatter, and wasn't erected until early 90's
All's I can say is that we are all incredibly lucky to not have been alive during WWI or WWII. It's a great video and nice reaction!
You would be right that it was Carol of the Bells. This was definitely a Christmas miracle, as it has never happened again in any war. I really enjoyed your reaction. Trench warfare is definitely brutal. My grandfather was blown out of a trench in Germany during WW2. He unfortunately did not live much longer after the war ended, having died in 1956. I was wondering if you would've recognized Floor's singing in this😊
Its Carol of the Bells played backwards
There were Christmas truces in other places during the war, mostly on the Eastern front, though. Generals on the Western front made sure to quell any attempt by putting soldiers hard at work during those days.
@@1982jeepcj8 it isn't, that would sound completely different. It is the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the third cord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition
That is Floor! Excellent observation!🎸🤘
I want a vid of Floor doing the credit vocals !!
It was not only the credit vocals. Floor recorded vocals for symphonic version of the album, both this album and The Great War. They used symphonic version of the song for the end credits
Yes, Carol of the Bells, but played backwards. The video was made by people that usually make movies. When the world shut down that included making movies, so they had time for this. Sabaton helping out folks that needed a paycheck.
It isn't, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
It is Carols of the Bells, but backwards :) Epic song that tears me up every time.
The truce occurred five months after hostilities had begun. Lulls occurred in the fighting as armies ran out of men and munitions and commanders reconsidered their strategies following the stalemate of the Race to the Sea and the indecisive result of the First Battle of Ypres. In the week leading up to 25 December, French, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carolling. Men played games of football with one another, creating one of the most memorable images of the truce. Hostilities continued in some sectors, while in others the sides settled on little more than arrangements to recover bodies.
Love your review/ analysis, David. You are right about the Carol Of The Bells. It is a variation (root up to 3rd instead of tonic down to 3rd) that gives it more emotional weight. You also talk about video, sometimes, exaggerating for dramatic purposes. Well they DID play football, there is a sculpture about that, and there is a real cross that is located in Belgium. A quick Google search will bring up images of the real things. I did count 3 exaggerations, tho. A piano in the trench, an old acoustic guitar sounding like a high gain Charvel and Tommy's moustache. That last one is just hilarious ! Keep 'em coming, mate... love your channel !
Great observations! And a cross is at the location, but considerably smaller and wasn't erected until early 90's
The trench piano isn't an exaggeration - there's a photo of a full sized piano in a WWI trench somewhere, and specific pianos were made for soldiers, called "trench organs"; they were small, lightweight and collapsible and therefore easy to cart around. Piano, therefore, yes. Big piercings and Metal hair, not so much!
@@zoesumra9152Didn't know about that... Thanks, mate ! 😁
The soccer game (well, not sure it can called an actual soccer game, probably more like soldiers kicking a ball around), most definitely took place...and not just one. There are dozens of reports of this happening all along the western front.
Also, this truce wasn't "official". It wasn't official, so at different places, the truce was different as well. Some truces lasted only over Christmas itself where the longest truce I have heard of lasted almost until new years day.
As has been mentioned in other comments, the higher ups weren't thrilled at _all_ about that - I mean, how can you have a decent war if the soldiers on both sides refuse to shoot each other?
Afterwards, entire regiments had to be shifted along the front, since the soldiers refused to shoot on the guys on the other side, who they learned were just humans like themselves.
For 1915, the brass ordered artillery barrages, so no-one could leave the trenches and anyone trying to initiate something similar was threatened with court martial.
Of course, by 1915 a lot had happened in the war and the situation/mood was quite different - not sure a similar truce would have been possible even without those measures from the higher ups.
I love Sabaton's music videos. The production value is amazing, like a short film rather than a music video!
David, if you really want to experience Sabaton you should try to see them in Europe where they play larger venues like stadiums so you will get the full stage show, all the pyro and the set-up. They regularly play for 30 000+ audiences in Europe. I know it's expensive to travel but maybe you can make it into a metal pilgrimage for one of the major festivals ;-) We'd love to see you and Mrs. Heretic in Europe.
If we can make it swing within our budget, we would love to come to Europe and see a bunch of bands....and yes Sabaton is one of them.
Yes, the outro vocals is done by Floor Jansen
All true , the cross is still in a field in Ypres France , great song ,great video . Floor Jansen sings in outro she is married to the Sabaton drummer
This is the most amazing story. One that never ceases to give me chills
Before the world wars, German was a fairly widely spoken langauge in Britain (I believe the most common second language), so there would have been a decent number of the Brits who'd be able to speak German, as well as the Germans who spoke English. In the aftermath, the two armies moved soldiers around and ordered heavy bombardments in order to try and disuade anyone from doing it again in the future (hard to win a war and stop an expansionist power if your soldiers don't want to fight).
We don't see it as much today because more recent wars have been a lot more personal/felt more personal to the soldiers fighting. WW1 at the start, the armies considered themselves to be professionals just doing a job, so had a decent amount of respect for each other (initially at least, gas attacks and the prolonged war kinda soured that). There's stories of soldiers from each side bumping into each other after the war in Belgium and France when visiting their fallen friends, and Brits and Germans going for a drink or two to tell stories about their fallen comrades. At Langemark (one of two German WW1 war graves in Belgium), there's a statue of three Germans soldiers, but very rounded and non-aggressive, holding their hats in their hands, watching over their friends, as a reminder that even if these were invaders, they had people who were left behind.
WW2 was a different story, Germany was seen as even more of a villian than before, and people hadn't gotten over the effects of the last war (a lot of those soldiers had lost fathers/uncles in WW1), so there was no real discussion of a repeat of the 1914 Christmas Truce.
It's not necessarily a different story in WW2. I had a friend who was in the Wehrmacht. I met him through the Swedish peace movement. His best friend there was a british soldier.
My friend used to tell a story from WW2 when they had been stationed at a new post, guarding a small bridge or some such. Suddenly, a bunch of US soldiers entered. Turned out they had been stationed there so long they had started to communicate with the previous German troops. They had started with playing music, then just shouted greetings. Now they used to meet to play cards and drink wine.
Sadly enough, the US soldiers were arrested as the new German officer was scared of being executed for treason if he let them go. They hadn't had any time to build up trust.
But even during this year, soldiers preferred not having to kill (my friend was force conscripted, he had previously been placed in a concentration camp for being against the nazis).
When I first heard/saw this I had recently learned that my country had sent soldiers to fight abroad every single year since WW1 - truly "a war that never ends", even a century on. It was the song/video that turned me into a Sabaton fan, and I cry watching it most times (sometimes twice, when Hannes comes out of the trench and when Pär carves 2021 on the cross). "Lest We Forget" is from Kipling's poem _Recessional,_ which got some hate when it was first published for Victoria's jubilee because it tells how all empires must come to an end. It could be Sabaton's mission statement!
An incredible story of humanity, where common soldiers forcibly conscripted to fight in a war they didn't want to fight decided among themselves they should not be enemies and that Christmas should mean something. They did actually play soccer. Few of the soldiers afterwards wanted to fight against the friends they made during those days, many were transferred to other fronts. The generals threatened court martial and firing squads for anyone if such a truce ever happened again, they did not want a friendly face assigned to the enemy. This was a true miracle and really shows that some of the greatness that is possible from humanity. Sadly though, wars are born and created by politicians, bureaucrats and big business, but they are never the ones made to fight these wars, instead they send others to die for their own inability to work things out peaceably. War is good for business, war is good for politicians it gives the population something else to focus on instead of them, but is so hard on the common person. Sometimes I wish if we had to go to war that only the politicians and businessmen that caused the war were the only ones sent to fight, perhaps then they wouldn't be so keep to start a war so quickly.
That outro is really something great. I love the song not only for it's music, but also for it's message and a reminder that miracles can happen, even at the worst of times. And yes that was carol of the Bells, as others have mentioned.
A lot of different discussions about them playing soccer. It has been said thet they did some " kick-around" with footballs. And some soldiers said that one match did happen and that Germany beat the allies 3 - 2. If it´s true, I don´t know but there was a documentary where a soldier mentioned this.
I'd missed this song when it was released so the first time I heard it was on the tour with BABYMETAL and Lordi back in May where Sabaton were headlining. Being British and sat in a concert hall in Munich Germany with a load of metal brothers and sisters listening to this and thinking about this history.. and the weirdness of history repeating itself with the Russia situation.. was the highlight of their set for me
The major gut Punch is when you realize that the Majority of the verse structure and wording is taken from actual solders journals!
Sir, your rant at the end was glorious and true. So true. I study history and I’m continuously wondering why we repeat. And repeat. And repeat. We’re repeating right now and it seems so few see it. Because the history of WWII has been forgotten. Lest we forget. We’ve already forgotten. Christmas Truce is one of my favorite Sabaton because they do justice to a unique and uniquely beautiful moment in history that, to my knowledge, had never occurred before and has never occurred since. “Voices sang to me from no man’s land…” So yes to Carol of the Bells, which uses the melody of the traditional Ukrainian song, Shchedryk. Ukrainians fought on both sides of the war because the Ukraine had been divided between Austria-Hungary and Russia. I think choosing that carol was very purposeful. Sabaton does so much research.
I've waited for this reaction for such a long time 😄, great reaction and score
I have heard and read from multiple sources that football was in fact played during the ceasefire.
Another great reaction!
Greetings from Germany 🤘👋☺️
Glad to see you recovered from 1916
I agree that there are musically more interesting songs by Sabaton. However, I think this is their best video. I think, this is one of the most important music videos ever made, and the world would be better if we could show this video to all of mankind.
And we are proud of you that you caught onto Floor; many reviewers do not manage that. ;-)
PS: Yes; playing soccer (or at least kicking a ball around) is documented historically.
PPS: The cross at the end with the inscription Is real; it is placed on the actual location in Belgium.
PPPS:?They actually blew up the Piano used in the video at the end.
Yeah, there is a cross there, but considerably smaller. And it wasn't erected until early 90's
Yes Floor is singing the outro. 😁
It wasn't one truce, it was many, all of them negotiated individually. The pope had called for a truce and it was something many thought of, especially among the catholics who were mostly germans.
A strange form of communication had started months before when people had started to play music for each others over no man's land, sometimes yelling out sport results or just nonsensical jokes. A form of cameradie had already developed before the truce.
Some people who tried to call for truce on Christmas days got shot by snipers. In other places, negotiations succeeded and the truce lasted anything from a few hours to more than a month. In some places officers had a hard time to get soldiers to fight again, calling in people from other areas or ordered artillery shells to get the war running again.
By next Christmas, armies had started to rotate troops to make sure no one would get to know each other so they would have an easier time continuing to kill.
Absolutely do read the stories about the truce, because in all tragedy, some of them were hilarious, such as the Germans who were stationed by a brewery and gave beer to the British and got a plum pudding back. And the Germans who refused to go back to threnches, infuriating a british officer who couldn't kill them in cold blood and tried to convince them to go back so the killing could start again.
And all over the line where there were truces, they could still hear the shelling from where there weren't.
EDIT: And yes, they did play soccer in at least one place. There was also reports of a juggler, a barber making haircuts, small orchestras and much more.
10,000 listens always tears !!always
A song you sing in a pub on Christmas Eve. 🍻Love it. Great reaction!
Awsome reaction! I really want David to react to some Amon Amarth at some point! They have phenomenal music and riffs
Chapeau Sir for your rant 🖤
I don't know if it was recorded what the first carols sung were, but 'Silent Night' has the same cadence/tune in English and German. My Grandpa was in the RAF right at the end of WW2, stationed in a former Luftwaffe base once the war was over. The first Christmas there, they all went to the local church, and you had Brits and Germans singing Silent Night in sync (with my Grandpa singing in German because he spoke it fairly well).
Sainsburys (a massive british supermarket) also have a pretty moving Christmas advert about this, with the people from each side singing together, then going and exchanging gifts, I'd highly recommend watching it! czcams.com/video/NWF2JBb1bvM/video.html
This didn't hit as hard for me as 1916, but it's still a nice one. I love that at the end (before the credits), the notation switched so the last two statements of the melody were exactly the same as Carol of the Bells.
I think what's remarkable about that day during the war is that it isn't political at all. And while there's a sad commentary in what came before and after, I think there's still a beauty in it -- of people who came together for a shared experience even in the midst of a horrible conflict. For that day, they interacted just as people, with no attachment or ideology that would make them enemies.
This song is incredible when performed live
On Christmas eve the Germans were singing their version of holy night. But not to be outdone the British forces started to try and sing louder then them in what turned into a beautiful duet. That day the German shouted over to the British "Tomorrow you no shoot, we no shoot". So on Christmas day (in certain areas of the trenches not all) peace broke out. The British and German forces got to bury the dead and indeed had a friendly match of football while exchanging gifts. They didn't want to fight afterwards until forced to by the officers. One officer in the trenches that day was none of then Adolf Hitler himself. The Christmas truce is one of the most beautiful moments ever.
they did play it !
War is money. Lots of money. Please check out ” Lives in the balance by Jackson Brown ”, If I remember correctly the song was band from being played on the radio back in 1986 in the US. Please feel free to correct me If I’m wrong. Being from Sweden and loving this song back in the days, I never had the chance to listen to American broadcast…
❤️. Please check it out ❤️💪🏻.
Carol Of The Bells... played backward, was the opening piano melody. And...the entire song is a *waltz*!
Not backwards, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
@@DaP84 I trust your key assessment! It was Joakim who said it was played backward...must have meant "switched around" instead! Thank you for clarifying!
Yes they played fotball, Sabaton worked with this song for years to make it perfekt since the subject was so important
I love that you also thought and felt the impact of when Hannes stepped up the latter and the very fitting line "Madness!" was sung that This Happened! bcs someone had to be the first, even tho I do believe they did communicate tho simply by shouting but with no high command orders, there are no sure promises so to do this could indeed be called Madness
... and a cross still stans there today, on location. Greetings from nwAse Sweden
Nope, the cross in the vid is a prop. The cross that stands there today is considerably smaller, and wasn't erected until early 90's.
There’s a book about this event that also covers other theatres of the Great War at this time.
The way I understand it, they shared rations and probably sang some carols and an impromptu game of football, but I’m no expert.
I know that the general staff was NOT happy about this and was discouraged and even threatened corrective action, even capital punishment if they ever did that again. As a result, this was the only instance in the four years that this happened. Again, I could be wrong about some of this.
Floor did a lot of studio work with Sabaton
Yes, this happened, maybe hundrets of times. There are a lot of documented Football matches, even pictures remained of this events. In 2014, a bronze statue was placed next to the St. Luke´s Church in Liverpool, showing a british and a german Soldier shaking hands, with a Football between them on the ground
Humans will NEVER learn from our mistakes
the greatest of mans achievments, followed by the lowest !!!
🎸🤘
Great
That melody which reminded you of "The carol of the bells" actually is "The carol of the bells" 🙂 They just played it backwards.
Sabaton is working on a new album now, so they'll probably announce a new tour after it comes out, hopefully soon.
Yes and those talks happened. Because both sides had orders that such things must not occur.
🤗🍒🤘🏻 well done
And Fluer from Nightwish at the end I believe
I atleast appreciate you for beeing straight up honest 👏🤘🇸🇪
Great reaction and a good score. I think it lacks a bit of power to get a higher score but on the other hand.. I dont think it wouldnt fit the song. Just as you said, the song and the feeling is just right. ^^
That being said, I love this song and get chills everytime I hear it. I saw Sabaton in april this year and they played it and it was chilling to the core. Well... and maybe its some sabaton-gimmick but I too dont remember most of the conzert. Except a handful of songs and that it was an amazing show. Cant wait to see them again live... and probably forget most of it afterwards again. XD
I appreciate your honesty, and your request to wait until the end to give a reaction. While it's one of my favorite songs, I can understand your reasoning for not feeling that way.
So, what is your favorite song from Sabaton? I was hoping to hear it in the video so I could better understand your musical perspective.
Nightwitches without question, with Ghost Division and Bismarck close behind.
@@THEDavidHeretic All solid choices. Kinda makes me think Panzerkampf and Defense of Moscow would be up there, too.
about your coments around the 20:4ish mark it's called culling the hurd!!!
For me personally, this band is a mix of power metal with some historical, epic ballad sprinkled with an inspiring/inspiring note
no, i know how you do reactions, i know you will do this video some kudo's... so ya, before i watched your reaction, i already gave it a like
I’ve heard the melody in home alone
Just popping in to request ‘Made to Parade’ by Qotsa. It’s my favourite song off their new record. Cheers
Watch the history channel episode for this song
You know that Joakim was originally was the keyboarder? Wanna see him playing it again? Pleeease! Have a look on this one
czcams.com/video/mAQhlGZp0bU/video.html
They played football. Germans were winning 3:2, when the ball ended on the wire and they couldn't continue the game.
Unfortunately David, there were plenty of instances of men getting out of the trenches in peace just like in the video, but the other side didnt trust it and opened fire .. plenty of peaceful men were killed all along the front. Such a terrible shame ...
Nice reaction and dead on on the score. I love this song and video but not my favorite Sabaton song either. I love how they have captured the brotherhood of arms that all veterans like myself have experienced. Yup, Carol of the Bells but slightly different and they did it on purpose. I think you need to give yourself more credit on the Floor call. I think on some subconscious level her tone resonated with you and activated your memory in the same way that a smell can trigger a memory.
Yes they did play football.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce
Also, Yes that is Floor.
It seems in this video Hannas gets into a lot of trouble lol
Don't be too humble on yourself. You had a gut feeling the female vocals during the credits were Floor's, and you were proven to be correct. It's fine to say that you called it, lucky guess or no.
I always get cold chills when I hear this song, very few songs have managed to do that.
As for why we don't learn from our mistakes: war is as natural to mankind as taking a shit. We've been fighting over resources (in whichever form) for as long as we've been on this mudball, and I doubt we'll ever stop. Maybe here in the West, we'll have longer bouts of peace, but as long as we rely on other parts of the world to get what we need (be it food, fuel, etc.), we're prepared to fight them to the death over it.
it be hella sexy when their vocalist joakim broden hard rolls his R's this video also shows how smol their bass player par sundstrom is they did actually play soccer at the spot where their regimental ancestors came out from their trenches to play football on christmas day 1914 men from the 1st battalion the royal welch fusiliers played a football match with the german battalion 371 the germans won 2-1 l love that lead guitarist tommy johansson be playin the accoustic guitar like it be a electric one the rhythm guitarist be chris rorland he was the fella lookin at the pic of his "family" and the fella that got concussed by the granade be their drummer hannes van dahl l was like OMG! they killed the piano it IS carol of the bells only the timing be tweaked a bit
Timing isn't tweaked. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
@@DaP84 oh
Carol of the bells played 'backwards'
Nope, that would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
According to Sabaton it is Carol of the Bells in reverse.
If so they are joking. That would sound completely different. It's the ordinary Carol Of The Bells melody, but they've replaced the first note with the 3rd note of the key the first 2 rounds, and the root note of the 3rd chord the 3rd round, then back to the 3rd of the key and they've made their own transition.
Just out of curiosity, what IS your favorite Sabaton song?
Night Witches....no question.
@@THEDavidHeretic And how did you like the live version during the show you went to? Not gonna lie, I was hoping for a concert review back then 😅
@@snappy6132 I heard the air raid sierens...and I was hoping for it. When I heard the track kick it off, I was thrilled.
did you mhear how the fighting restarted ??? sad AF
It‘s the only Sabaton song written in major or not? I think the other ones are all written in minor!?
This and The First Soldier, but Tommy wrote that one
Blood of Bannockburn aswell.
Technically minor, the verse starts in minor
I don't know this song at all. But as a Historian the entire Christmas Truce is disgusting to me during World War 1. Not because it happened. But because it makes me wonder why we have Wars in the first place when we can set down our guns for a moment and not. Just sayin. It's pointless.
Ultimately, it's because people in positions of power succumb to their lust for more power. Greed, wrath, ego, narcissism, take your pick.