I’m Dreaming of Home

Thistle and laurel wreath with red berries and ribbon. The latter marked, "Festubert, Loos, Ypres, Armentieres, Somme, Vimy, Arras".

A Scottish Christmas card. Thistle and laurel wreath with red berries and ribbon, “Festubert, Loos, Ypres, Armentieres, Somme, Vimy, Arras”.

Greetings Christmas and New Year

I can only imagine a group of soldiers at Christmas with their thoughts of home. Glasgow, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Dundee, Kilmarnock, Falkirk, Peebles and others. Though at home they may rise in the morning to different landscapes they are brothers in this trench, this town, this Scotland. To soldiers near and far, old regiments and new, Christmas away and Christmas at home we think of you often at this time. Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhma mhath ur!

I’m Dreaming of Home (Hymn des Fraternisés) from the film Joyeux Noël
performed by Chorale Scala, London Symphony Orchestra and Philippe Rombi.

I’m Dreaming of Home

“I hear the mountain birds
The sound of rivers singing
A song I’ve often heard
It flows through me now
So clear and so loud
I stand where I am
And forever I’m dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I’m dreaming of home

It’s carried in the air
The breeze of early morning
I see the land so fair
My heart opens wide
There’s sadness inside
I stand where I am
And forever I’m dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I’m dreaming of home

This is no foreign sky
I see no foreign light
But far away am I
From some peaceful land
I’m longing to stand
A hand in my hand
…forever I’m dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I’m dreaming of home”


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

One Response to “I’m Dreaming of Home”

  1. pferguson pferguson says:

    Film clip replaced December 25, 2018.The original clip also from the film Joyeux Noël was performed by Griogair Lawrie, David Bruce, Ivan MacDonald and Calum Anthony Beaton (Bagpipe Ensemble).

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