艾迪·雷德梅尼 | 朗读一战圣诞书信

I’ve just been through one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable. To-night is Xmas Eve, and I came up into the trenches this evening for my tour of duty in them.

我刚刚见证了一生中我想象之所及最为动人的一幕。今晚是平安夜，今天夜里我钻进战壕，开始我的值班守夜。

Firing was going on all the time. And the enemy’s machine guns were at it hard, firing at us.

四周的炮火接连不断。敌人的机炮疯狂喷吐火舌，扫射我们的阵地。

Then about seven, the firing stopped. I was in my dug-out, reading a paper. It was reported that the Germans had lighted their trenches up all along our front.

大概7点左右，枪炮声戛然而止。那时我正躲在地下隐蔽处阅读着报纸。前线传来消息，德国人点亮了他们的战壕，火光照射至我们的前线。

We had been calling to one another for some time Xmas wishes and other things. I went out, and they shouted “No shooting!” All our men got out of their trenches, and sat on the parapet. Then the Germans did the same, and they talked to one another in English and broken English.

我们一直在试着与那边大声喊话，送上圣诞祝福之类的。于是我走出去，听到对面大喊道：“不要开枪！”我们所有的士兵都爬出了战壕并坐在了护墙上。德国士兵也是如此，他们用不太流利的英语与我们大声交流。

I got on top of the trench, and asked a German to sing a folk song, which he did. Then our men sang. Quite well! And each side cheered and clapped the other. Then we wished one another goodnight, and a good night’s rest and a happy Xmas, and parted with a salute.

我爬上战壕顶端，邀请一位德国士兵唱一首德国民歌，他唱了起来，我们也回敬了一首歌。唱得棒极了！双方的士兵鼓掌欢呼，高声叫好。后来我们互相道了晚安，祝对方睡个好觉，圣诞快乐，并互相敬礼，分手道别。

Then our men sang Christians Awake, it sounded so well. And with a goodnight we all got back into our trenches. It was a curious scene, a lovely moonlit night. The German trenches with small lights on them, and the soldiers gathered in groups on the parapets.

之后我们的士兵唱起了《基督徒醒来》，歌声同样悦耳动听。道过晚安后我们都回到战壕里歇息。这真是奇妙的一幕，月光照亮这个美妙的夜晚。德军战壕也闪现着一些零星的灯火，士兵们三三两两地靠在护墙边。

The officer I spoke to hopes we shall do the same on New Year’s Day. I said “Yes, if I am here…”

之前跟我说话的那个队长希望在新年的那一天我们亦能如此。我回答：“好啊！如果我还没牺牲的话。”