Whene’er I hear the Christ­mas bells
Chime out across the snow,
My thoughts go back to Beth­le­hem,
Two thou­sand years ago.
I watch with hum­ble shep­herds there
At mid­night calm and still,
While snowy flocks sleep peace­ful­ly
Upon the dew kissed hill.

Refrain

O Christ­mas bells, ring out, ring out,
Your mer­ry chimes to­day,
And bear us back to Beth­le­hem,
Where Christ the Sav­ior lay.

Whene’er I hear the Christ­mas bells
Ring out so joy­ous­ly,
The won­drous light
Which streamed from Heav’n
That night I seem to see.
I catch a glimpse of an­gels fair,
I hear the news they bring.
That in a lone­ly man­ger lies
The world’s ex­pect­ed king.

Refrain

Whene’er I hear the Christ­mas bells
Ring out so sweet and clear,
The song the bright winged an­gels sang
Methinks I still can hear:
All glo­ry in the high­est be
Unto our God for aye;
Good will to men and peace on earth,
Upon this hap­py day.

Refrain