I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

1996-2016. Snippets of Christmas memories, both joyful and sad.

I heard the bells on Christmas day,
Their old familiar carols play.
And, mild and sweet, the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And, in despair, I bowed my head.
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day;
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807–1882
Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827–1905