Wednesday Words - "More Loud and Deep"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, distressed by the tragic death of his wife, Francis, and the war wounds of his son, Charles, wrote the words to “Christmas Bells” on Christmas Day in 1863. This was one of the darkest times in American history, and while the words of the poem reveal his profound despair and grief, the triumphant message of “peace on earth, good will to men" gives witness to the faith and hope that sustained 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 the earth, good-will to men."