"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

The most beloved poet of the 19th Century, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was no stranger to despair. Born in 1807, he was in the latter half of his life when civil war tore the country in two in 1861.

His heart was already heavy with great sorrow. In the same year the Civil War began, Longfellow's wife was tragically killed by a fire in their home. While attempting to rescue her, Longfellow suffered severe burns to his hands, arms and face.

The holidays which followed were difficult for him. He wrote in his journal, "A merry Christmas say the children, but that is no more for me."

Just months before the war drew to a close, Longfellow received another blow. His oldest son, a soldier in the Union Army, was severely injured in battle.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was steeped in grief.

On Christmas of 1864, however, upon hearing the chime of distant churchbells, Longfellow remembered the reason for the season and penned what would become one of his most well-known poems - "Christmas Bells". Later set to music, the poem became the Christmas Carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". Since this is one of my favorite carols, I want to share it here.

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!