Sunday's Song

Most people have heard the carol I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.  Many may even know that the lyrics are by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  But I wonder how many know that it was first a poem he wrote  in response to the Civil War and during a time of his own personal loss.

Christmas Bells

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!

And 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!

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!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will 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, good-will 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, good-will to men."

This is an old recording of Dean Wilder singing an arrangement that uses the two most familiar tunes written for the lyrics.  For me, it beautifully captures the emotions behind the words.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by queenodella