I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
A little late for Christmas but I meant to post this song and totally forgot.It was recorded live on December 27th during communion. This Henry Longfellow hymn (1864) is a dangerous one to rewrite because so many people are familiar with the old tune. I usually try to steer away from rewriting well known beloved hymns as to not "ruin the song". However, I wasn't familiar with it so I didn't know what I was messing with until I started playing it for our congregation in 2008. It has an especially dark tone as it was written during the Civil War. You can check out the lesser known verses here if you are interested. I adjusted the lyrics a touch to make them more about the internal world. Sorry if I butchered it too much for you. Never the less, I thought I would share it late or not. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (listen) (chart)
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the news of Christ repeats.
I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled around the world with unbroken song.
Of Peace on earth, good will toward man My Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man
But in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace in me,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the holy songs”
Then out from the Accusers cursed mouth My secret evils thundered out, And with the cruel sound the carols drowned
Of Peace on earth, good will toward man, The Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “Jesus has died and ris’n a King; The wrong shall fail, the Lamb of God prevail.
I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the news of Christ repeats.
Of Peace on earth, good will toward man, The Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man.