"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  was inspired to write the
words below on Christmas Day in 1864, four months
before the end of the Civil War and a year after his
son, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac,
was seriously wounded in battle.

Longfellow's poem, written 137 years ago, provides a
a timely message for us now, as we celebrate

Christmas in 2001

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"
poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1864
music by John Marks, 1956

 
I heard the bells on Christmas Day 
Their old familiar carols play. 
And wild 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 roll'd along th' unbroken song 
Of Peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair, I bow'd 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 doth He sleep; 
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 
With Peace on earth, good will to men."
____________

 
(Click here to hear the traditional tune for this carol)