Earlier this month I was sifting through classic holiday songs I might record as a special end-of-year gift to the people who have been a part my life in a meaningful way this past year. (If youre reading this now, youre part of that group, to be sure. And youll find your free download of the song at my online store - shannoncurtis.net/store) So many of my favorites from the years are full of images of joy and celebration, happiness and cheer. So many great songs. And then I came across I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day. I have to admit, Id never really considered this song much. It was always tucked into old hymnals from church growing up, but it certainly wasnt one of the fun Christmas songs, and so I had always overlooked it and moved on to the more chipper tunes. But when I read the words to this song this year - based on a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - it quickly became a new favorite. (Find the full text of the lyrics at my website.) This is not a happy-happy holiday song. Instead, it describes the narrators experience of hearing Christmas bells, which should be bringing a song of joy on a day like this; but rather than having an experience of jubilation, the narrator expresses despair. The bells, which ring out peace on earth, good will to men, peal out in dissonance to the painful truth of the world he sees around him. There is no peace on earth … hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. Wow. I understand that experience. I have it, too, when I look around at much of the world around us. It can be despairing, hopeless. There is a lot of pain, anger, and frustration in peoples lives and in our public discourse, not to mention the war, disease, and hunger that define the experience of many of our brothers and sisters on this planet. Its tempting - especially during times like Christmas, when we feel like were supposed to be happy and cheerful - to look away from the darkness and to try to shut it out of our consciousness with parties, gifts, decorations, and happy songs. But heres where this particular song doesnt let us down: the final verse talks about the turning of the world to a new day, and that the bells continue their song of peace on earth, good will to men throughout it all. After looking squarely into the pain of his own life and the world around him, the narrator expresses a new hope. He sees that even through that dark night, the bells have steadfastly chanted their song of peace and good will. To me, its a realization that the power of love is that it rings steady even through the despair, not despite it. So, the lesson I took from this beautiful song this year - and one that I hope we can embrace together - is this: I will not look away from the darkness. I will do my best to carry a song of love, peace, and goodwill as I walk through the messiness, uncertainty, and fear that surround and permeate our experience here on this earth we share. I believe this is the triumph of humanity - that our collective song rings out even in our darkest days - and that gives me hope. Peace and good will to you, and to us all - shannon youtu.be/0jXjcpZvl3Q
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 20:59:25 +0000