Music is the instrument of joy and of peace in "Christmas in the Trenches,"
one of the songs baritone Daniel Narducci will bring to The Victory this
weekend.
The song describes a German soldier's courageous rendition of "Stille Nacht"
("Silent Night") and his decision to venture unarmed into the no man's land of a
French battlefield, carrying a flag of truce. This act opens a joyous respite
from the shells, bullets and bayonets of World War I for one night. Germans and
British lay down their arms, emerge from their entrenchments and come together
on the shell-pocked field to sing, share family photographs and engage in a
soccer game.
The song is based on a real incident in 1914, says Narducci, the guest
soloist for Christmas Peppermint Pops concerts he'll perform Saturday and Sunday
with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Chorus, Evansville
Children's Choirs and members of Jan's School of Dance.
The Germans and British celebrated their Christmas truce until dawn, "then
their commanders demanded they go back and start shooting at each other again,"
says Narducci.
In "Christmas in the Trenches," written by John McCutcheon, a British soldier
returns to his battle position to wonder "Whose family have I fixed within my
sights?" Years later the soldier, now a veteran, reflects in the final
stanza:
"My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
"Each Christmas come since World War I, I've learned its lesson 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."
Narducci thinks the song resonates today, as troops from the United States
and other nations risk their lives in a distant war.
He included "Christmas in the Trenches" in this weekend's program and on his
newest CD, "Christmas Once More," because, while it's topical now, it's probably
always timely, unfortunately.
"Somewhere in the world there's always a war. It seems that throughout
history that's always going on," Narducci says.
He will sing several songs from his new CD, including favorites such as
"White Christmas," "O Holy Night," "Joy to the World" and the title song,
"Christmas Once More," in the concerts this weekend.
The concert also will feature holiday favorites such as "Deck the Halls,"
"Winter Wonderland," "The Three Kings," "I Saw Three Ships" and "Silent
Night."
Members of Jan's School of Dance will move to a version of "Ol' Saint Nick,"
arranged by former Evansville Philharmonic assistant conductor Tim
Hankewich.
And all will be invited to join in for the traditional Christmas carol
sing-along.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/nov/30/peppermint-pops-song-recalls-christmas-truce-of/
