I heard the church bells ring­ing,
I heard the child­ren sing­ing,
With hap­py hearts and voic­es sweet,
On Christ­mas morn that song so meet.

Refrain

Ring, ring, mer­ry bells,
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring;
This is the song the church bells ring,
This is the song the an­gels sing,
Peace on earth, good­will to­ward men.

I heard the mo­ther say­ing,
I heard the old man pray­ing,
With agèd lips and fee­ble frame,
And low­ly knee—the words the same.

Refrain

The storm is gent­ly dy­ing,
The snow is soft­ly ly­ing
On shroud­ed hill and si­lent stream:
All na­ture sleeps—and this her dream.

Refrain

The cares of day grow light­er,
The hour of death grows bright­er;
For Je­sus Christ was born to­day,
Let young and old unite and say,

Refrain