Christmas Bells

Kenneth Almquist

Corporal
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
This poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in December 1863. In my interpretation, it's about the struggle to find hope in the midst of what was one of the most troubling times in American history.
And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong,​ And m...png


Christmas Bells

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!

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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I’m not much for poetry, but I found this one quite moving. Thanks very much for sharing.

“With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
 
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