Christmas Bells

: CELEBRATION

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW



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, go d-will to men!



Till, ringing, swinging 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!