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, accursèd 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."