0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:01- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:01 > 0:00:03- # Silent night
0:00:04 > 0:00:08- # Holy night!
0:00:08 > 0:00:12- # All is calm
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- # All is bright #
0:00:17 > 0:00:20- The history of the well-known carol, - Dawel Nos or Silent Night...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- ..has been of interest to - Bethan Jones Parry for many years.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- After the death of her father - three years ago...
0:00:27 > 0:00:32- ..Bethan discovered her family had a - personal connection with the carol.
0:00:32 > 0:00:40- # Sleep in heavenly peace #
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Meirion Parry's diaries - told the story...
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- ..of a special performance - of the carol...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- ..by a choir of Welsh soldiers - on 24 December, 1944.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- It was thirty years to the day - since the carol was heard...
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- ..in similar circumstances - during World War I.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- # Holy night #
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- Bethan and her daughter, - Catrin Siriol...
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- ..are going to Austria and Belgium - to learn more about the story...
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- ..the origins of the carol - and its universal message.
0:01:14 > 0:01:21- # Holy Infant so tender and mild #
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- Before travelling to Europe...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- ..Bethan and Catrin collect - some information closer to home.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32- They visit Edith Parry, Bethan's - mother and Catrin's grandmother...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- ..and Meirion Parry's widow.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Here you are.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- Thank you.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- You've got so many photographs here.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- Oddly enough...
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- ..even though I have tens - or even hundreds of photographs...
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- ..I only have two photographs - of your father in France.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- Look how young he is.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- Dad spoke about the war quite a lot - when I was growing up.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- It had left its mark on him, - naturally.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- But it's only after he died...
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- ..that I've found out about - the story behind Silent Night.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- We were married for over 50 years.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- He didn't tell me about it - for at least 25 of those years!
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- As he got older, he told us more.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- Especially after he retired.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- During the early years - of our marriage...
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- ..he wouldn't talk about it much.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41- He probably didn't want to.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- I never took much notice of this - until recently.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48- This diary.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54- During World War II, - Meirion Parry kept a secret diary.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- He later used it - to write his personal memoirs.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- "The Germans had broken through the - Americans' front in the Ardennes...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- "..and their campaign - was successful.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- "This was the beginning - of the Battle of the Bulge.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- "This was the enemy's last chance - to regain ground.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- "The aim was to split the front...
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- "..by aiming for the North Sea - around Antwerp, Belgium's main port.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- "They wanted to separate the second - British army and the American front.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- "The situation was very uncertain - for a time."
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- What do you know about that time...
0:03:41 > 0:03:47- ..when they had moved from Normandy - to the Ardennes?
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- About two or three weeks - after the landings...
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- ..things calmed down a little.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- What I mean - is that there were no major battles.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- During that time, - they were supposed to relax.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- Some of the Welsh speakers - got together to form a choir.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- On the evening of the 20th, they had - to pack their things quickly.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- They travelled all night and - had no idea where they were going.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- The reason for that was because...
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- ..the Germans had launched an - unexpected attack in the Ardennes.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- The Americans needed support.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- That's how the boys - had come to this area.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- That's why they were on the - village square on Christmas Eve...
0:04:45 > 0:04:46- ..singing carols.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- The Padre of the 53rd Welsh - Division, Rev D L Jones, Hereford...
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- ..had formed a choir - made up of soldiers...
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- ..serving in units - within the 53rd Division.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- One thing made this choir - different from any other choir...
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- ..in the British Army.
0:05:07 > 0:05:08- It was a Welsh choir.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- There was a mixture - of Northwalians and Southwalians.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- Some of them spoke Welsh - while others didn't.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Every one of them - was proud of their heritage.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27- The next day, some of them fought - in the battle in the Ardennes...
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- ..in the snow and ice.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- They faced all sorts of problems.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41- The carol...
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- ..makes me think of the silence - before a battle.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- It must be the most intense - type of silence there is.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51- Yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57- As your father says in the book, - they all awaited their fate.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- To find out more about - the origins of the carol...
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- ..and its links - with war and peace...
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- ..Bethan and Catrin have travelled - to Oberndorf in Austria...
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- ..where the carol - was first performed.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Catrin inherited her grandfather's - interest in singing.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- She hopes to be able - to sing the carol...
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- ..in the village where her - grandfather sang it 67 years ago.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- Before that, they will discover more - about the history of the carol...
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- ..from the curator - of the Silent Night museum.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- I will show you - the Silent Night room.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- That's a lovely title. - The Silent Night room.
0:06:43 > 0:06:43- Yes, of course.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44- Yes, of course.- - Ah! I recognize...
0:06:45 > 0:06:46- This is Mohr.- - Mohr yn gywir
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- And this is Gruber.- - cywir
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- The carol was composed - by Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Mohr had written the lyrics - in 1816...
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- ..in response to the suffering - in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- By 1818, Mohr was a priest - at St Nikolaus church in Oberndorf.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- He asked his friend, a music teacher - called Franz Gruber...
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- ..if he could compose a melody - to go with the lyrics.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- It was originally composed - for the guitar...
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- ..as it is understood - the church organ wasn't working.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24- The carol was first performed - in the church in Oberndorf...
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- ..on Christmas Eve 1818.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- It was a present for the world.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- No-one of them earned money with it.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- It was just a present for the people - of the world. This song of peace.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Two billion people sing it now.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- More than 316 - languages and dialects.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- All over the world.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- They all took the idea of peace.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- It wasn't only a song - for the Catholics.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- It was a song - for the people of the world.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- The carol's link with war and peace - has continued.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- One of the most famous stories...
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- ..is that of the unofficial - Christmas armistice in 1914.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- The carol was sung by soldiers - from both sides on Christmas Eve.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- They had a temporary pause from - the horrors of the First World War.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- The original church - was damaged by floods...
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- ..at the end of the 19th century.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- A memorial chapel has been built - on the site of the church.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- This is where the carol - was first performed.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- What I really like - about this chapel...
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- ..is the way they've put Mohr on one - side with the lyrics underneath...
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- ..and then put the notes - under the image of Gruber.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- I like the way they've used stained - glass windows to tell the story.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- I'm so glad - I've had the chance to come here.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- It obviously means a lot to - the people of Oberndorf today too.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- Not only them, - it's a carol that's sung...
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- ..in over 300 languages - in countless countries.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- I think it's because - it's a carol of peace.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- It's a very powerful carol - with regard to the words.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- It has been translated - so many times.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- It's a very powerful carol - because of the music.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- It's a carol that is chosen - when things look bleak.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- There must be - something special about it.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- That's why I'm so pleased - to have come here.
0:10:26 > 0:10:32- Why don't we put money in the box - to buy a candle to remember Taid?
0:10:32 > 0:10:33- Yes.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- From Austria, Bethan and Catrin - will travel to Belgium...
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- ..to see exactly where - Meirion Parry and the soldiers...
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- ..of the 53rd Welsh Division - were on Christmas Eve, 1944.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- But will they discover - what they are expecting?
0:11:19 > 0:11:20- .
0:11:22 > 0:11:22- Subtitles
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Bethan Jones Parry - and her daughter Catrin Siriol...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- ..are travelling across Europe...
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- ..learning about the carol - Silent Night...
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- ..and its connection - to their relative Meirion Parry.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- During his time with the 53rd Welsh - Division in the Second World War...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- ..Meirion was part - of a Welsh choir...
0:11:48 > 0:11:53- ..that sang the carol in a Belgian - village on Christmas Eve, 1944.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- Catrin has inherited her - grandfather's love of singing.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Following in his footsteps - is an emotional journey...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..a journey that takes her - and her mother...
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- ..to a museum which remembers - one of WWII's most bloody battles...
0:12:08 > 0:12:09- ..the Battle of the Bulge.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- "Dawn the next day, and we'd reached - the town of Leuven in Belgium...
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- "..near the capital, Brussels.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- "We continued on to Sterrebeek...
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- "..a small village - five miles from Leuven."
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- This is similar - to your grandfather's uniform.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- I remember the strip of medals - on his jacket.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Do you remember this - - it's called a black flash.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- That was on the back - of the Royal Welsh uniform.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- I've got it at home. You can - have a look when we get back.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55- It will mean more to you now.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Did other regiments - have different colours?
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- Every regiment - had a different uniform.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- I'm only familiar - with the Royal Welsh.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- Do you remember your grandfather - wearing that tie?
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- A purple and blue tie.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- That was the Royal Welsh tie.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- I always thought - that was his best tie!
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- We've still got that tie.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- He was a very brave man. - He was promoted to Captain.
0:13:26 > 0:13:32- That was quite an unusual thing - to happen.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- These are called pips.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40- The metal things on the shoulder - of the uniform are called pips.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- I've got his pips at home.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44- Really?
0:13:44 > 0:13:50- What do you think of the museum?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- I'm really proud.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- I'm proud to be his descendant.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- One of his descendants.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- I'm glad that I'm here.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- However, I must say - that he would be angered...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- ..that only one corner has been - assigned to the Royal Welsh.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- The museum - is full of American relics.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- There's nothing wrong with that, - but I now feel that we have to go...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24- ..to the cemetery where - the Royal Welsh lads are buried.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- I don't really mind. - I'm really chuffed.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- You're glad that you're here.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- So am I, but I want to pay my - respects to the lads in Hotton.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- The Germans were defeated - in the Battle of the Bulge.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- However, a high price was paid - by both sides.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- 40,000 soldiers were killed - during fighting in the Ardennes.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- In the Hotton Commonwealth - Military Cemetery...
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- ..666 of them have been buried...
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- ..including members of - Meirion Parry's 53rd Welsh Division.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- I'm always angry - when I come to a military cemetery.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- I'm a mother to three children.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- All those buried here are eighteen, - nineteen, twenty or twenty-one...
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- ..up to some - in their early thirties.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- We talk these days...
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- ..about a lost generation - due to economic depression.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- An entire generation was lost here - for different reasons.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- My father was also part - of a lost generation.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- Together with all the other lads - fighting in World War II...
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- ..he lost his youth.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- As I look at the graves, - the men's ages really hits home.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- They span the ages - of my brother and I.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- It's very clear - that parents and families...
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- ..have thought long and hard about - the words on these gravestones.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- It's very difficult - to read words such as 'daddy'.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26- I must admit...
0:16:27 > 0:16:32- ..that I feel - a maelstrom of very mixed emotions.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- I'm angry because of the museum.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- I was disappointed with the museum.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- I know that there - has been recognition...
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- ..of the Welsh contribution - to the battle that happened here...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- ..a contribution - my father was a part of.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- However, in the museum...
0:16:58 > 0:17:03- ..almost everything - was from an American perspective...
0:17:03 > 0:17:09- ..with only a small glass case to - commemorate the Welsh contribution.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- My father would have been - very, very angry.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- I now truly understand...
0:17:20 > 0:17:26- ..why the carol, Silent Night, - was so popular during times of war.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- There is a quietness here.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- There is an intense silence here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- I think - that when you're surrounded...
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- ..by the trials, tribulations - and dangers of war...
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- ..having a bit of peace and quiet - must have been so important.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- I now understand - why Silent Night is so important.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- Bethan and Catrin are nearing - the end of their journey.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Before locating the place - where the choir sang...
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- ..which is now - a suburb of Brussels...
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- ..they meet historian Dr Von Oppen - and a translator...
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- ..in order to learn about - the welcome Welsh soldiers received.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- There were a lot - of Welsh soldiers here.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Montgomery's tactical headquarters - was in Merode castle.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- They were all here - the night before...
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- ..they had to go and fight in - the Ardennes offensive and Arnhem.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46- The Flemish families wanted - to welcome them into their homes...
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- ..to celebrate Christmas with them.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- They were competing - to have someone in their house.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- There is some proof here.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56- Taffy.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- David 'Taffy' Lewis.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- Taffy is a man from Wales.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- "The time of year we arrived - in Sterrebeek enticed us to sing.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- "The birthday - of the Prince of Peace.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18- "What would be more appropriate...
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- "..than for the choir to assemble - in Sterrebeek on Christmas Eve...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- "..to sing our final song - as a choir?
0:19:26 > 0:19:32- "A farewell to the old year - - an early New Year matins.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- "It was cold, bitterly cold.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- "As silent as a grave.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- "The choir sang the first notes - of that well-known carol.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- "Silent night, holy night."
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- # Silent night
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- # Holy night #
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- "The atmosphere - was completely transformed...
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- ..by the tuneful sound - of the melodic basses.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- "Jack Pritchard, Manod, - Blaenau Ffestiniog...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- "..Arthur from Criccieth, - Ifan from Llanbabo and I...
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- "..were among forty choir members...
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- "..giving due attention - to that old popular German carol.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- "Everything - blended together beautifully...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- "..with the melodic tenors - from South Wales.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- "The windows of the houses - opened up one by one...
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- "..until the village square - was like a huge stage...
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- "..lit up for a performance - in a theatre.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- "The actors arrived from backstage - as the doors of the houses opened."
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- # Sleep in heavenly peace #
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- We've finally arrived - in Sterrebeek...
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- ..after travelling to Austria...
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- ..through areas which were important - in my father's life...
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- ..when he was in his early twenties, - 67 years ago.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Sterrebeek means - 'star in the river'.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- There are many night stars - and Christmas stars here.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- What do you feel, - having arrived here at last?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- I'm glad to have followed - in his footsteps.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- I've heard his story and visited - Oberndorf to hear about the carol.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- I've learnt about why they - cherished the carol in dark times.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- There's something magical - about the whole journey.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- I'm happy to have reached - the end of the journey.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Sterrebeek is just a normal place.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59- I'm very happy that - it isn't a picture postcard village.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- The lads who were singing - were just a normal group of lads.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Although it's difficult - to say here and now...
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- ..I think that on Christmas Eve...
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- ..they would have sung - in the shadow of the church...
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- ..in this small square - in front of the church...
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- ..on the eve of Christianity's - most important festival.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- I'm happy.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- I feel, that after following - the story of Silent Night...
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- ..following in my father's footsteps - and arriving here...
0:22:31 > 0:22:32- ..the story is at an end.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- # Silent night
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- # Holy night
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- # All is calm, all is bright
0:22:50 > 0:22:56- # Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
0:22:56 > 0:23:03- # Holy Infant so tender and mild
0:23:03 > 0:23:10- # Sleep in heavenly peace
0:23:10 > 0:23:16- # Sleep in heavenly peace #
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:51 > 0:23:51- .