The Celebration Hymnal

267

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, 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 Then 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!

WORDS: Henry W. Longfellow
MUSIC: Jean Baptiste Calkin
Theme: Christ: Birth