A song with History

This Christmas I bought the casting Crowns Christmas Album. The first track on the album is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". This carol is not a new song to me, however listening to this beautiful rendition of the carol got me to thinking about the origin of the song so I went searching for answers and here is what I found.

The lyrics for the song were composed by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on December 25, 1864. The piece was originally a poem containing references to the American Civil War. At the time the poem was written, America was months away from Lee's surrender to Grant and the poem reflected the years of despair brought by the war. However the most beautiful part of the poem, and now the song was it's conclusion which reminds readers and listeners of a hope for triumphant peace.
Luke 2:10. " Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men." I don't know that I personally have ever really felt the despair of a war...but there are people in the world who feel it every day and my prayer this Christmas is for them...that they may find the hope of Jesus and through Him Peace.
Below are the Lyrics to " I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" as performed by Casting Crowns. If you get a chance, listen to the song again. It is a beautiful.

" I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they're singing
In my heart I hear them
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

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang 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

Then 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

And the bells they're ringing
Like a choir they're singing
And with our hearts we'll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they're ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men