Country music star Garth Brooks fought tears during his live holiday special on Sunday while performing a rare full version of Belleau Wood.
The singer paused midway through the song, based on the 1914 Christmas truce of World War I, to recollect himself during the Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event on CBS.
Belleau Wood tells the story of the 1914 Christmas truce ceasefires along the Western Front during World War I among British, French and German soldiers and, before the performance, his wife Trisha Yearwood said “Good luck, buddy,” admitting the song makes her weep.
Garth explained he’s always done an abbreviated version of the song when it’s been requested during live shows, admitting: “I love this whole story.”
He closed his eyes as he sang about soldiers putting down their weapons and coming together on Christmas to sing Silent Night, but stopped playing as he was overcome with emotion and said, “I’m gonna get this” before he resumed playing and singing.
The star’s voice broke once again as he sang about the soldiers eventually resuming their fighting, telling viewers, “Almost made it, so sorry,” while he and Trisha dried their eyes.
During the show, which aired live from their home Studio G, the pair performed an array of holiday hits – including classic covers and original tunes – and gave a glimpse into their family life together.