"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" was written on December 25, 1863, when the American Civil War was at its height. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), the famous American poet, was saddened by the horrors of this conflict, for "hate seemed overstrong at the moment." His son, who was serving as a lieutenant in the Union Army at the time, had just been wounded.

When Longfellow heard the Christmas bells ringing, he came to the realization, from the depths of his despair, that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep." He believed that God was powerful enough to overcome the world's strife, and that one day He would bring peace and good will to earth.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet the words repeat,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had roll'd along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bow'd 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."

'Til 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!