Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - meaning Summary
Peace Challenged by War
The poem contrasts the traditional Christmas message of "peace on earth, good-will to men" with the harsh reality of war. Bells and carols initially suggest universal harmony, but cannon fire and suffering provoke the speaker’s despair and rejection of that ideal. In the final stanza the bells answer, restoring faith: divine justice will ultimately vanquish wrong and allow peace to prevail. The tone moves from hope to anguish and back to reassurance.
Read Complete Analyses"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!"
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