Friday, December 23, 2011

I Heard The Bells

When I learned the history of this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.....This song has encouraged me even more to hear the Christmas Bells!

"A few months after the Civil War began in 1861, Frances Longfellow was sealing an envelope with wax when her dress caught fire. Despite her husband's desperate attempts to save her, she died the next day".

During his distraught times.....Longfellow still heard the Christmas Bells and wrote the poem below.



Christmas Bells  
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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."
  
Take the time to hear the bells after my history lesson...
      I wish yall a Merry Christmas!  

28 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a sad story, but a beautiful poem and song. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

MadSnapper said...

thanks for posting this, i heard this song on the radio for the first time this past week and intended to post it and could not find it. the story is ad the words are touching the music is divine.

Judy said...

Thanks for the poem and history lesson. Merry Christmas.
Judy

Elizabeth Grimes said...

Oh gosh! I never knew the story behind that song. Thanks for sharing and Merry Merry Christmas!!! :)

Gail said...

Oh my, such a beautiful poem/song I so enjoyed it and felt it too - thank you for sharing it. I know the Christmas bells I hear, those I ring, those I long for... Merry Christmas to you
Love Gail
peace.....

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Tragic story.

Merry Christmas to you Kim!

Ramakrishnan said...

Beautiful song,enjoyed listening to it. Thanks for sharing the lovely but melancholy poem of Wordsworth. Wonderful way to ring in the Christmas bells. Merry Christmas !

DUTA said...

The poem is painfully relevant to our times. There's no peace on earth, and it doesn't look like it's gonna be peace, unless we stop disobeying the world-order created by God.

Merry Christmas!

Tracy said...

Gosh, how eye-opening...and thanks for sharing this. May you and your family have a Blessed CHRISTmas..

WhiteStone said...

Thank you for sharing this. I love this song. I think I had heard the story behind it long ago, but had forgotten. So I'm very happy to read it again on your blog.
May you and your family have a Blessed Christmas.

Elephant's Child said...

Peace to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful poem and video as well... it is good sometimes to be reminded that life is difficult for most of us and to be thankful for all that we've been blessed with... Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Birdie said...

Thank you for this post. We all need a reminder from time to time.

Merry Christmas.

sprinkles said...

A bazillion years ago, I was just beginning to figure out there wasn't a Santa.

My family had gone over to visit another family one Christmas Eve and we stayed over quite late. They had a daughter a year younger than me and we somehow managed to sneak out of the house.

While outside, we were talking about the possibility of there not being a Santa Claus. All of the sudden, we heard sleigh bells! I don't know where they came from but it was so magical that we heard them at that precise moment. We searched the sky and didn't see anything but we still believed for one more year.

Eat To Live said...

I have never heard this song.... Where have I been???

Sad and beautiful

Merry Christmas Kim!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yikes, did I miss your post below?? It must not have shown up on my sidebar, but I am caught up now. I LOVE this version of the song!! And now I know the story so it will mean even more every time I hear it. Wishing you the merriest Christmas with peace and joy!! Many blessings, my friend.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kim, Love that carol ---and someone else posted the words and meaning last week... I enjoyed reading that history behind the words.... Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Karen Mortensen said...

I love thisw story and song. Merry Chritmas.

The Unknowngnome said...

Merry Christmas Kim! Thank you for opening my hearing. :)

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Kim...I hated hearing that she died from something so preventable. :(
Hey...merry Christmas. Hope it's full of fun and everything good.

Alene said...

Thanks for stopping by and your sweet prayers. That last verse -- GOD is NOT dead!!! Love it. Thanks for sharing these meaningful words. Merry Christmas friend.

The Naked Blogger said...

Love this song. :) Merry Christmas!

Just Be Real said...

Very touching dear one. Blessings to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim, I hope you had a Fantastic Merry Christmas :)

diane b said...

A very interesting story and poem.

Joanne said...

I love the Casting Crows! This song is indeed beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings, Joanne

Joanne said...

I mean casting crowns... Sheesh I swear I did go to college! LOL
Blessings, Joanne

Ann Harrison said...

Oh my goodness Kim, that is just incredible. I didn't know this story, thank you so much for sharing your research.

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