Christmas Bells

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 bellfrees of all Christian dough 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, 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 man. It was as if an earthquake rent the hearthstones of a continent, and made forlorn the households born of peace on earth good will to man, 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, and peeled 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.