Christmas Bells

more info coming soon

SATB/Brass (2 trpts, 2 horns, 2 t-bones, bass trombone, tuba)/Bell Choir/Tymp/Percussion
Text in English by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Difficulty rating (1-5): 3+
Duration 5:00

listen to Christmas Bells

Performed by the Northern Arizona University
Choral Union, directed by Dr. Edith Copley
recorded December 2010

Commissioned by Northern Arizona University Choral Union.
Premiered December 2, 2010.

TEXT

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!

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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PAUL CAREY composer / conductor
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