I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

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I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet the words repeat,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

--

I 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.

--

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."

--

'Til 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!

***