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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Christmas Truce Poem


Guest Ian Bowbrick

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Guest Ian Bowbrick

I can't find the original thread to respond on, but I was asked to supply the full text of a poem written by a soldier at Xmas 1914:

No stir the wings sweeps softly by

No angel comes with blinding light

Beneath the wild and wintry sky

No shepherds watch their flocks tonight

In the dull thunder of the wind

We hear cruel guns afar

But in the glowering heavens we find

No guiding solitary star

But lo! on this our Lord's birthday

Lit by the glory whence she came

Peace, like a warrior stands at bay

A swift, defiant, living flame!

Full-armed she stands in shining mail

Erect, serene, unfaltering still

Shod with a strength that cannot fail

Strong with a fierce o'ermastering will

Where shattered homes and ruins be

She fights through dark and desperate days

Beside the watchers on the sea

She guards the Channels narrow ways

Through iron hail and shattering shell

Where the dull earth is stained with red

Fearless she fronts the gates of Hell

And shields the unforgotten dead

So stands she with her all at stake

And battles for her own dear life

That by one victory she may make

For evermore an end of strife

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Ian, thank you ever so muh .... are you better organised than me, and remember where you saw it, how you got it, even who wrote it, please?

In any case, most readable.

David

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Guest Ian Bowbrick

David,

It came from a book called 'The Great War', which was produced in the 1920s. This is lifeted from the section dealing with Christmas 1914. The caption underneath states 'Written by a soldier in the trenches Christmas 1914'.

Alas no name or regiment I'm afraid.

Ian :)

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