Music by Johnny Marks, 1956
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the original poem on Christmas day 1863, expressing his despair at the ongoing Civil War, in which his son was severely wounded. Longfellow had to travel to Washington to retrieve his son from the hospital. They arrived back at their Cambridge home on December 8, and a grim Longfellow set about the months-long process of trying to nurse his son back to health. The circumstances challenged his resolve, but he was inspired when he heard the local church bells. He found in them a message that peace would come again to the troubled nation. They inspired him to write the poem “Christmas Bells.” Longfellow's poem, published originally in a magazine, was set to music in 1872.
Christmas season is not always a happy time for all. Many can be unhappy in the Advent season; in that hectic period, the focus may be on all that was not done during the year. It is easy to emphasize all the bad news. But I am inspired by the music and lyrics of this Christmas hymn. It always gives me hope for the better future.
—Larry Esposito
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