I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of 'Village Blacksmith' fame penned this favorite Christmas poem. I was introduced to the works by one Johnny Cash four decades ago!


I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY


A 'LONGFELLOW SERENADE!'




"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 THOUGH HOW, AS THE DAY HAD COME,
THE BELFRIES OF ALL CHRISTENDDOM
HAD ROLLED ALONG
THE UNBROKEN SONG
OF PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL- TO MEN


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!


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 TOWARDS MEN"


THEN PEALED THE BELLS MORE LOUD AND DEEP:
"GOD IS NOT DEAD;NOR DOTH HE SLEEP!
THE THE WRONG SHALL FAIL, THE RIGHT PREVAIL,
WITH PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN!"




NB PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM WITH YOUR FAMILY.....IT'S THE REAL DEAL!