Entertainment.
In the Trenches there was little to do. Many soldiers passed their time doing chores and duties, like filling sand bags. They would also play card games, sing songs and tell jokes to pass the time. Another great pastime was writing to loved ones from the trenches back to home. Music was important as it let the soldiers express their feelings about war and love and their views.
An example of song writing in the trenches;
First Verse
Three letters left a village bound for somewhere over there, three letters to a lonesome soldier lad each one a loving story told, each one was worth its weight in gold three messages that made his poor heart glad:
Second Verse
Each word was like a soft caress that soothed his aching heart, and drove away the misery and the pain then joy returned to take their place and brought a vision of each face as over and over he read their words again:
Chorus
For the first was just old fashioned, and it breathed a mother's prayer while the next one started "Darling, God protect you over there," and the third was filled with kisses, send to Daddy across the foam, from his mother, wife and baby, three wonderful letters from home.
The Christmas Truce
Even though there was no official truce over 100'000 soldiers took part in the truce. It began with the Germans decorating their trenches with Christmas trees and singing carols, the British responded and soon they crossed No-Man's land and exchanged many gifts and food. The truce in some areas didn't last over Christmas, but in lasted until New Years Day for others.
At Home
Back in England people entertained themselves by reading books, going to plays and getting on with normal life. Many cities were evacuated and children sent to the countryside. Many women were working in the Land army and the factories.
An example of song writing in the trenches;
First Verse
Three letters left a village bound for somewhere over there, three letters to a lonesome soldier lad each one a loving story told, each one was worth its weight in gold three messages that made his poor heart glad:
Second Verse
Each word was like a soft caress that soothed his aching heart, and drove away the misery and the pain then joy returned to take their place and brought a vision of each face as over and over he read their words again:
Chorus
For the first was just old fashioned, and it breathed a mother's prayer while the next one started "Darling, God protect you over there," and the third was filled with kisses, send to Daddy across the foam, from his mother, wife and baby, three wonderful letters from home.
The Christmas Truce
Even though there was no official truce over 100'000 soldiers took part in the truce. It began with the Germans decorating their trenches with Christmas trees and singing carols, the British responded and soon they crossed No-Man's land and exchanged many gifts and food. The truce in some areas didn't last over Christmas, but in lasted until New Years Day for others.
At Home
Back in England people entertained themselves by reading books, going to plays and getting on with normal life. Many cities were evacuated and children sent to the countryside. Many women were working in the Land army and the factories.