Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem on Christmas morning in 1863. Hed had a rough couple of years leading up to it. The Civil War was in full swing, and hed just gotten word that his son was wounded in it. His wife had recently died in a fire. He had just about given up all hope until he heard church bells. What he wrote is not one of the more well-known Christmas songs. It was turned into a song 10 years after it was written, by an English organist named John Baptiste Calker. But it may just be the best Christmas song ever written... 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 thunbroken 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. 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! Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882 Music: John Baptiste Calkin, 1827-1905
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:11:14 +0000
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