Twas Christmas day along the battle front br And killing somehow didn't seem quite right br Though many scream was heard and many grunt br And guns were fired, keeping up the fight - br But someone in a trench a carol sang br And someone on the other side joined in. br Soon Silent Night across the maelstrom rang br And joyful sounds replaced the battle's din. br A truce was reached and into no-man's land br Soldiers from each side arose and met, br Exchanged small gifts and shook each others' hand br And being foes was easy to forget. br br Christmas day unites men, it is said. br On Boxing Day they shot each other dead.