“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” a poem by Henry W. Longfellow put to music by John Calkin, has such a lovely refrain: Peace on earth, good will to men. How our world needs peace!

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 th’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, nor doth He 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.

© 2024 Kim Vogel Sawyer Ministries. All rights reserved.

Website design and hosting by Vogel Design LLC.

© 2024 Kim Vogel Sawyer Ministries. All rights reserved.


Website design and hosting by Vogel Design LLC.