Mws R Writings

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Original Title: Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

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 !

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
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 !”

http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/christmas_bells.htmhttp://LINK