I promise to never post song lyrics ever again on my blog (for fear of being mistaken for a junior high girl).  But this one just had to go out today.  

For those of you who don’t know — this poem is by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and was written on Christmas Day in 1863 after hearing that his son had been injured in battle (fighting in the Civil War). It was originally called “Christmas Bells”.

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, good will to men. 

I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had roll’d along th’ unbroken song
Of Peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair, I bow’d 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 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 hearthstones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
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.”

May your hearts be at peace.  May the world find peace.  May we all reach out to those who need peace.  Merry Christmas 2009.

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