Singing the Living Tradition ‎#240

240. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

1 I heard the bells on Christmas day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, to all good-will.

2 I thought how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along th'unbroken song
of peace on earth, to all good-will.

3 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, to all good-will."

4 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth God sleep;
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
with peace on earth, to all good-will."

5 Till, ringing, singing on its way,
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, to all good-will.

Text Information

• First Line: I heard the bells on Christmas Day
• Title: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882
• Meter: L.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Jewish and Christian Teachings: Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: HERONGATE
• Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
• Meter: L.M.
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: English traditional melody; Coll. by Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Copyright: Used by perm. of Oxford University Press
• Notes: Now Public domain