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I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Updated on December 11, 2014

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep"

Powerful lyrics make "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" a holiday must for those who believe that good triumphs over evil. Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the poem was penned after the tragic death of his wife and the wounding of his son in the Civil War. Speaking of the end of the war, he wrote "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men."

There are two additional verses that are not included in the carol, set to music in the 1870's by an English organist, John Baptiste Calkin. His composition was titled "Waltham". This version has been recorded by many but is illustrated here by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Johnny and June Cash.

The poem was set to other tunes as well. Joseph Mainzer who wrote "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" set Wadsworth poem to music in the 1950s. It is the tune most commonly heard and has been recorded by many artists but included here is the version by Bing Crosby and Harry Belafonte.

Still another version that seems to capture the meaning of the song is the one by the Casting Crows. Well worth a listen.

The telling of the story with Ed Herrman and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - J. Baptiste Calkin tune

This is exceptional! After you read the history, listen to this version of the song. The narration tells the story of William Henry Wadsworth's journey to the writing of the poem.

The concert where this was performed is on DVD. However, the product is not featured here because it is extremely popular and when I wanted to order one for a family member they were out of stock. It is called "Ring Christmas Bells" and I will wait till after Christmas to get a copy. It's worth the wait.

"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."

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Johnny and June Cash - "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" J. Baptiste Calkin tune

My favorite Version - Johnny and June Carter Cash

Lyrics to "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" including the two not included in the carol

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.


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."


The two stanzas that are not well known are:


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.

The music - From my Worship and Service Hymnal, 1960, First Baptist Church, Covina, California

Bing Crosby - Joseph Mainzer tune

Bing Crosby sings "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

Herry Belafonte "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" Joseph Mainzer tune

Herry Belafonte's version

Casting Crows - "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day" Live. Version by the Casting Crows. This is lovely.

Casting Crows version of "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

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