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 rolled along th' unbroken song
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."
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.