Christmas Truce

Album: The War to End All Wars (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On December 24, 1914, German World War I troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. As they did so, they celebrated by singing Christmas carols, including "Stille Nach." The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols. The two sides shouted Christmas greetings to each other, and as word spread, men from both sides of the Western Front ventured into no-man's-land to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. They even played some football. It was a rare few hours of peace amidst the bloody conflict.

    That momentous first Christmas Eve of World War I serves as the basis for this Sabaton track.
  • Sabaton recorded "Christmas Truce" for The War to End All Wars, a concept album that deals with themes tied to the atrocities, miracles and events of the First World War. Bassist Pär Sundström said recording a song about the ceasefire was the band's highest priority when they wrote the record. "Not only was it the most requested topic from our fans, but it was, for us, the most emotional story from the war," he explained. "This song took us years to create since we wanted the music to reflect the mood honesty, and it was a big challenge; but we feel we managed to write a song that captures the spirit of that day, over a century ago."
  • Sabaton base most of their songs on war, historical battles, and acts of heroism. The War to End All Wars is the Swedish heavy metal band's second consecutive album about World War I following 2019's The Great War.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.