I like a lot of Christmas songs, but there is one I like head and shoulders above the rest. We all have our favs, and I'm not saying this is the best, just the one that reaches me the most, like your favorite reaches you.
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Was a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas morning 1863, as he heard local church bells ringing, and as the Civil War was still raging. His wife of almost 20 years had been killed in a fire two years earlier and his son was severely wounded in the war earlier that year. It was not set to music until about a decade later.
I always have marveled at this. A man at the worst moment in his life, alone with his terribly wounded son, and incredibly sad on Christmas morning writes maybe the most poignant work he ever penned. A work that will last forever and be sung and played forever.
Having spent a few Christmas mornings alone, I get it. But being able to dig deep and find the un-findable words at the most difficult of times is extraordinary. I love all the words to this poem. But the most famous lines speak to many, especially at difficult times and give hope.....
"The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
There are many versions of it - I like the singing versions and instrumentals too, Here are some. I like any version of this song.
Merry Christmas!
