Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the most famous American of his day for writing lyrical poems about history, mythology, and legend that were popular and widely translated was inspired to write “Christmas Bells” in 1863 during the Civil War when his son went off to fight for the Union against his wishes. While this song is about Christmas time, there is an underlying tone of the war (The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail). This poem is the basis for the Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”
I invite you to watch the YouTube video to appreciate the poem to its fullest:
set with Civil War and Iraq War images.
Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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.”
**
This poem is in the public domain.
Source: Poets.Org
Poem in the public domain
Video: YouTube uploaded by spiritandtruthart
Photo: Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay
To you, who celebrate Christmas in December, Merry Christmas; Happy Christmas; Happy Holidays! And if Christmas is not your cup of tea, I understand. There are several holidays that fall in the month of December besides Christmas; namely, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and the newly secular HumanLight. To you all, whichever way it is you celebrate, I wish you Happy/Super/Joyous December Celebrations.
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Thank you for sharing this message of goodwill Selma 🙏
Always a pleasure. 🔔
Lovely piece, Selma. Thanks so much for sharing. Wonderful .💕❤️💕
Grace, my dear. The pleasure is mine. Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed the share. Enjoy your month of merriment. xoxo
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Very moving. Thank God for such great poems that lift our hearts in faith, hope, and love.
Pax,
Dora
I agree, Dora. Songs like these resonate because of what they do for us. I was indeed touched to know of its origins. I already love Longfellow and knowing more about what he was going through at the time made me respect him more. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate you. May serenity and love shine strongly this Christmas. Merry Christmas (again).
🙂🙏❤️🎄
I never realised that the poem had overtones of the war. Thank you so much for enlightening me
Always a pleasure. xoxo
This is a powerful message Selma, thank you sharing it with us 💖💖💖💖
Glad you liked. XO
😊❤️
Selma, thank you for this moving post. The video outs Longfellow’s famous poem into context. Not only had the poet endured such private hardship but the country was wrought with war. A powerful post and video.
Hey, Annika. So glad you appreciated that video. Adds so much more to that song. I loved knowing it originated from this great poet. So touching to know how he brought it about.
So grateful you read. All the best. May the month be stress free. Happy Holidays.
Sublime poem suiting to this month of December when we lit advent candles.🤗🥰