Worship in Song ‎#76

76. 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 of earth, good will to men.

2 I 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.

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, good will to men.

4 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,
God is not dead, and doth not sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.

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, good will to men.

Text Information

• First Line: I heard the bells on Christmas Day
• Title: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Christmas; God's Care; Story of Jesus; Justice; Music; Nativity; Peace; Singing (or Song)

Tune Information

• Name: BELLS
• Composer: Isaac H. Meredith (1898)
• Meter: 8.8.8.8
• Key: C Major