The spirit of Christmas has a tendency to get lost to the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But it’s more important than ever to stop and reflect on the true meaning of the season.
With Christmas approaching, we’re finding extra significance in a 60-year-old tune by Johnny Cash. “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is an adaptation of a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem from 1863. The poem is about the despair of hearing Christmas bells as the Civil War tore apart the nation. The message still rings true today.
Cash recorded the song for his first Christmas album The Christmas Spirit in 1963, but it had previously been recorded by Bing Crosby.
Though decades have passed since the powerful poem was translated into song, the message remains one that we should all take to heart, and it goes like this:
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth goodwill to men
I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong that mocks the song
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth He sleeps
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth goodwill to men
Till ringin’ singin’ on its way
The world revolve from night to day
A voice a chime a chant sublime
