Not too long ago I posted some thoughts about the “Civil War song”, the theme song from Ken Burns’ monumental 1990 documentary on the Civil War. The name of that song is “Ashokan Farewell”, a violin “fiddle” tune which sounds as though it belonged to rural America in the 1800s. It turns out however, that “Farewell” was written in 1982 by folk musician Jay Ungar, intended as a theme for his music festivals in update New York.

Well, I just came across another war movie theme song that likewise fits the historical setting, even though it was put together only a few years ago. And like “Ashokan Farewell”, it has a rich, deeply evocative feel to it, a song that rubs emotional balm into your soul after glimpsing the raw and horrible realities of modern warfare, of watching people’s bodies and lives being wantonly destroyed.

I next need to tell you three things — 1.) the song in question 2.) the movie in question, and 3.) the war in question. OK — the song: I’m Dreaming of Home (Hymne des Fraternises); the movie — Joyeux Noel (2005); and the war — World War 1, 1914 in France. Joyeux Noel is  »  continue reading …