I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
WALTHAM (DOANE)  |  Same-Tune Hymns
Author: Henry W. Longfellow, 1807-1882
Musician: J. Baptiste Calkin, 1827-1905

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I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

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, goodwill to men."

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, goodwill to men."

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth goodwill to men!


OTHER HYMNS with the SAME TUNE:

•   God's Son Given  Charles Wesley, 1707-1788