The meaning behind "Heilige Nacht" ("Holy Night")

Hi world of Steemit,

as we announced in our introduction post, we want to share some background information about our song “Heilige Nacht”:
„Heilige Nacht“ („Holy Night“) is one of the common names in Germany for Christmas eve, the night from December 24th to 25th. The phrase is also part of a famous Christmas song – “Silent Night”, written in 1816 by Austrian Joseph Morr.
Becoming increasingly popular, the song has been translated in several languages and travelled around the globe. The song became widely known and used around the Christmas time in countless countries and cultures. The melody even brought a moment of peace to a time of slaughter and bitterness – and this situation is the inspiration for Gefrierbrands “Heilige Nacht”.

Starting in summer 1914, many people were eager to join their countries’ armies to fight in the First World War. There has been a strong confidence in fighting for a just cause and being superior to the opponents’ army. However, the battles were a lot more grim and gridlocked than anticipated. For several weeks and months, soldiers on all sides were digged in deep in trenches, surrounded by mud, blood, corpses and all the horror of a war. Often young and inexperienced men were traumatized, if they survived the battles at all. In a dark and grim time, the only way was to fight and trying to survive. Mercy or humaneness was shown rarely, since the respective enemy has been declared “evil” by propaganda or since childhood and the cause of the own country always was described as just.

In horrible trench fights, Christmas came close. In the general area of Flanders and other front sectors, soldiers received gifts from friends, family and even their governments in some cases. The spirit of peace and devotions increased. It is not 100% documented, who started the following and how long it lasted exactly (and this also varied in the sectors)… but at some point, some soldiers suggested to have a truce in the spirit of Christmas. This is exactly what happened: soldiers on all sides ceased their fire, lit up candles, gathered the wounded, dead, and celebrated Christmas. After all, besides being a different era regarding politics and war affection, religion was way more common and influential in the minds of the people back then. This made history as “Weihnachtsfrieden” (“Christmas Truce”).
For a certain time, all the horrors of the wars and battles were forgotten. Brotherhood, kindness and mercy were shown. A little bit of peace in a world of sheer brutality. It is said, that the song “Silent Night” has been sung by German soldiers – and the “enemies” joined the carols.

Imagine the situation: a battlefield with trenches, mud and blood, hearing muffled machine gun fire somewhere far away, smoke from recently shot rifles wandering over the field… and more and more men join in together, singing a song in their language which is older than any soldier standing on the field… A little glance of light and peace, being probably the only sign of humaneness the soldiers saw for months. Nevertheless, the war and slaughter continued shortly after.

Exactly this picture is drawn by our song. You will find the original German lyrics below.
There are a lot of views, also within our band, how to interpret the meaning. Is the meaning that there can be hope in the darkest of times? Is the lesson that humans will slaughter themselves, even if they laid in arms just days before? Something completely different? What do you think? Let us know your opinion!

Disclaimer: The reference to “god’s will” in the chorus reflects views from the people back in the days and does not necessarily reflect beliefs of the band. Additionally of being non-political, Gefrierbrand as a band is explicitly non-religious in any way.

We hope we could give you some useful or interesting information. We’ll follow up with more background and thoughts about other songs soon!

As mentioned in our introduction post, you can listen to this song and the whole album on various streaming services. Spotify Link to "Heilige Nacht"

The original (German) lyrics to the song:

Wir legen uns nieder zum Sterben
und zur eitlen Ruh
Die Kälte bittet uns zum Tanz
die Ratten zum Rendezvous

Heilige Nacht
Kein Schuss zerreißt die Stille
Heilige Nacht
Diese Nacht ist Gottes Wille
Heilige Nacht
Das Niemandsland im Frieden steht
Heilige Nacht
Bevor das Schlachten weiter geht

Im Stahlgewitter, kein Heldentod
Es ruht kein Held in Grabesnacht
es wacht der Schatten und die Not

Heilige Nacht
Kein Schuss zerreißt die Stille
Heilige Nacht
Diese Nacht ist Gottes Wille
Heilige Nacht
Das Niemandsland im Frieden steht
Heilige Nacht
Bevor das Schlachten weiter geht