The new track features a backing choir of schoolboy footballers from the Premier League and German Bundesliga. 

Peter Hooton, lead singer of The Farm, says: “I wrote All Together Now about the extraordinary events on Christmas Day 1914 when British and German troops took part in an unofficial truce, singing Christmas carols, exchanging gifts and even playing football. It was a spontaneous act of humanity that transcended the horrors and barbarity of World War One and is a story which still resonates 100 years on. It is a story of hope and peace which should be told over and over again. I’m so very proud that so many artistes from all styles of music and the football authorities have come together to promote peace and reconciliation this Christmas and raise funds for the brilliant work carried out by the British Red Cross and Shorncliffe Trust.”

The new recording is being produced by Simon Britton, and executively produced by Suggs (Madness) who produced The Farm’s original version and Mick Jones (The Clash). Stars confirmed to appear on the new recording include Alexandra Burke, Guy Chambers, Gorgon City, Gabrielle, The Proclaimers, Engelbert Humperdinck, Holly Johnson, John Power (Cast), Jah Wobble (PiL), Jane McDonald, I Am Kloot, Shara Nelson (Massive Attack), Amelle Berrabah (The Sugababes), the winner of The Voice 2014 Jermain Jackman, and The Farm themselves, with many more to be confirmed. Strings and brass on the track are provided by the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA).

Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, said; “We are absolutely delighted to be a part of this exciting project and are very grateful to all the talented artists that have come together for this important cause. Many people are aware of the huge contribution and sacrifice Red Cross volunteers made during the First World War; transporting and nursing the wounded as well as finding the missing on the battlefield. A hundred years on, our staff and volunteers continue in their footsteps helping people facing crisis around the world. We hope that this inspiring song will raise both money for, and awareness of our lifesaving work.”

Chris Shaw, Chairman of the Shorncliffe Trust, said “We feel humbled and honoured to be included in this amazing project. This charity single symbolises the past, present and future and enlightens our understanding and perceptions of WW1. All together Now by the Peace Collective beautifully commemorates the spirit of the past on that December day in 1914. The monies raised will support the great work of the British Red Cross in the present but for the Shorncliffe Trust this about us creating an educational legacy for the future. We will be building an immersive learning experience for thousands of students from across the country and enable them to walk in the footsteps of their great grandfathers who marched from Shorncliffe camp to their destiny on the Western Front.”

The Christmas Truce was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires which took place along the Western Front over Christmas 1914. British and German troops ventured into ‘no man’s land’, exchanging food and souvenirs, singing carols, and, most famously, playing football. A hundred years on, British and German children have united to provide the backing choir for The Peace Collective, which comprises of sixty U12 footballers, 38 from Premier League Clubs and 22 from German (mainly Bundesliga) clubs. The children came to Liverpool for a weekend and recorded the song together at Parr Street Studios in a great spirit of togetherness. The boys sing in both English and German and appear in the video in their football club shirts.

Ged Roddy, Director of Youth at the Premier League, added: “All Together Now was the chief inspiration for the Premier League’s Christmas Truce Tournament in Ypres, where since 2011 we’ve brought young players from England, Germany, Belgium and France to play football in a spirit of peace and reconciliation.
“It’s been fantastic to work with the Peace Collective and have young British and German players sing on All Together Now. These lads are only a few years younger than some of the soldiers who met on those Flanders fields a century ago. It’s a wonderful message to send out that a 100 years on football and culture are still bringing young people together.”

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