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I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

MP3 recording with vocals by Micah Lorenc:  (dialup) (hi-speed) (download)
MP3 Minus (accompaniment only) track: (dialup) (hi-speed) (download)
CD: Peace, Peace, Peace (Vocal and Minus Tracks)

MP3 recording with vocals by Heather Prusse:  (dialup) (hi-speed) (download)    CD:  Promised Savior, Promised King

View/print sheet music:     SATB     Medium-voice solo     Flute obbligato

    For this selection I have combined an original melody with a single line from the familiar tune by John Baptiste Calkin. The lyrics are the work of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem, titled "Christmas Bells," is somewhat longer, and the selected stanzas were rearranged when Calkin set them to music. The lyrics are presented below as they appear on the sheet music for this arrangement.

        Lyrics:
        I heard the bells on Christmas day
        Their old familiar carols play
        And wild and sweet the words repeat
        Of peace on earth
        Peace on earth

        I thought how as the day had come
        The belfries of all Christendom
        Had rolled along the unbroken song
        Of peace on earth
        Peace on earth
        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
        Peace on earth

        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
        Peace on earth"

        Till ringing, singing on its way
        The world revolved from night to day
        A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
        Of peace on earth
        Peace on earth
        Peace on earth, good will to men