I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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
The unbroken song
Of 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!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
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!’

3 thoughts on “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

  1. Tracy's avatar Tracy December 25, 2020 / 9:14 am

    Merry Christmas Cheryl!

    Like

    • Cheryl Wirtley's avatar Cheryl Wirtley December 25, 2020 / 10:06 am

      Merry Christmas!

      Like

  2. Pat Crawford's avatar Pat Crawford December 25, 2020 / 10:23 am

    Thank you Cheryl! A wonderful reminder.

    Like

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