I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play, and mild 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.”
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