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.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The bel-fries of all Christ-en-dom
Had roll'd along
Th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bow'd 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 pre-vail,
With 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 sub-lime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
