I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This poem, written by Henry W. Longfellow in 1864, addresses the despair felt by many during the Civil War. It seemed there could be no peace when a nation was warring against itself and brothers killed brothers. But the sound of the church bells on Christmas called Longfellow to remember that though the war had dragged on for years, God would ultimately put all to right.

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 th’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.

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.”