I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day their old familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, to all good will.

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I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom

had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, to all good will.

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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, to all good will.

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Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth God sleep;

the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, to all good will.”

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Till, ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from day to day,

a voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, to all good will.