I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

 

 

"Suddenly, there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace,
good will towards men." 
(Luke 2:13-24) 

 

Image courtesy/Magnolia Box

 

 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.

 

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th' unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

 

Till ringing, singing on it way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

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 doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men."

 

"I heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
(1863)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(1807-1882)
American poet and educator