The poem
"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 thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom 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 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!"
Having read that Longfellow was walking the streets hearing the Christmas bells while at the same time not knowing if his sons were alive (during the War for Southern Independence) I am deeply touched by his verse. His passion for life and peace comes accross to me when I consider what was behind his writing. Would that I knew more such details on his other works. To feel I can somehow share this moment with him 140 years later is a beatiful esperience.
The poet's crisis over peace on earth RINGS through today. I particularly think of the violence in Iraq. In the Pakistan earthquake, thousands volunteered to help homeless people with shattered lives. Wadsworth concluded, "God is not dead;" He lives in the giving of human kindness, people face to face with the suffering. The Bells ring on.
The "War for Southern Independence"? In case you missed it, The Wrong did fail, The Right prevailed in that conflict.
Mercy Me, the comtempory Christian music group, who sang "I can only Imagine" also sing a version of this Christmas carole that is 2nd to none...an awesome, powerful song!!!
Bob