John Gorka - Christmas Bells

John Gorka (born 1958) is a contemporary American folk musician. In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine called him "the preeminent male singer-songwriter of what has been dubbed the New Folk Movement."

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1864 poem "Christmas Bells" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow."


In 1990, John Gorka recorded his arrangement entitled "Christmas Bells", which uses stanzas 1, 2, 6, and 7 of the poem.

Christmas Bells Lyrics
John Gorka


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
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
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
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
Peace on earth, good will to men

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
Wild and sweet, the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, good will to men!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Gorka
• Christmas
• Bells
• music
• cover song
• merry christmas
• holidays
• carol

[Cleverhill]

I love this tune... :-)

[Annie1844]

Love, love, love!

[eVivasingers]

I love this version, it gives me chills. Thanks, John Gorka.

[missred586799]

Such a great song, sung by a great singer.

[earthtripgirl]

One of my all time favorites...