Do you hear...

I thought this might be appropriate. If you are unfamiliar with the text it a Hen­ry W. Long­fellow poem, circa 1864. It was written just before the end of the civil war and the story goes that he had writen it over uncertain news about his son's life or death. It is always dire news for parents to hear about their war torn children, at Christmas only more so. Grace and Peace be us...

* * *

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.

I 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 it's 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 hearthstones 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."