December 1, 2018 (Saturday)
December is here. Only a little over three weeks until Christmas day. Today, therefore, I will include a Christmas carol in this blog. Let us begin with a carol we presented just two or three months ago, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” You have the same choice of singers as was offered September 19. You may like to listen to others found on YouTube.
The following Longfellow poem, “Christmas Bells,” which became a beloved Christmas Carol, captures the spirit of Psalm 94 (Longfellow wrote this during the Civil War, after the death of his wife and the wounding of his son in battle):
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Words: Henry W. Longfellow (1863)
Originally a poem (without music)
(Music: John B. Calkin, 1872)
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet the tones repeat,
“There’s 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 does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men.
O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
The Word of God is light and life;
Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
Hail peace on earth, good will to men.
Then happy, singing on your way,
Your world will change from night to day;
Your heart will feel the message real,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Listen to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sing it:
Listen to the Carpenters with a different tune:
Here’s a contemporary version of the old hymn, sung by Casting Crowns:
Same song, same singers–different video:
Words: Henry W. Longfellow (1863)
Originally a poem (without music)
(Music: John B. Calkin, 1872)
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play;
In music sweet the tones repeat,
“There’s 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 does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
When men repent and turn from sin
The Prince of Peace then enters in,
And grace imparts within their hearts
His peace on earth, good will to men.
O souls amid earth’s busy strife,
The Word of God is light and life;
Oh, hear His voice, make Him your choice,
Hail peace on earth, good will to men.
Then happy, singing on your way,
Your world will change from night to day;
Your heart will feel the message real,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Listen to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sing it:
Listen to the Carpenters with a different tune:
Here’s a contemporary version of the old hymn, sung by Casting Crowns:
Same song, same singers–different video: