The Burden Of The Bells

1 Oh! the Christmas bells are ringing,
All the world is wide awake,
And the chorus as it echoes
Makes the mighty steeples shake.
Miles away its tide is swelling,
As if it would never cease,
And the burden of its music
Is a rolling wave of peace.

2 All the leafless branches, swinging,
In the cold December air,
Soft are breathing forth its cadence
Like the murmur of a prayer;
And they bend above each other
With their wintry robes of fleece
In a gentle benediction
Breathing forth a hymn of peace.

3 So the pastor to his people,
On this blessèd Christmas day,
Gives a lesson full of meaning
For each one to take away;
And he gently bids the mourner,
Who from grief would seek release,
At the cross to drop his burden,
Where the Savior giveth peace.

4 Lo! the cross is full of healing,
And the crown is lying near
With its wealth of jewels, gleaming,
Like the sunlight of a tear.
And today our hearts will gladden—
May the echo never cease
As we sing our love of Jesus
Who will crown us with His peace.

5 "Peace on earth!" How dear the blessing
As it comes from Heaven and here
Drops its tenderness upon us
At the closing of the year.
So abiding in God’s keeping
With the bells, our hearts will chime
"Peace on earth!" Oh, gracious promise!
"Peace on earth, at Christmas time."

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #8012

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #8012