Lamplight BibleYuzool

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Tune: Waltham (Calkin) · Meter 8 8 8 8

Play it on the organ

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

3 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.

4 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."

5 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."

Words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)
Music: John Baptiste Calkin (1827–1905); setting by unknown
Scripture: Lk 2:13-14, Is 41:13
Public domain. From the Open Hymnal Project.