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.”
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of of Latter-day Saints)