In 2002, the band released their popular second album, Spoken For, which produced two more Top 10 hits. The combined success of the band's first two albums garnered a nomination for the Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist at the American Music Awards.
In 2004, MercyMe released Undone which produced two Top 10 hits: Here With Me which also hit Billboard's Top 100 chart that same year, and In The Blink of an Eye which, as of the end of 2005, was at #5 on R&R's top Christian hits. In 2005 they also released their Christmas album titled The Christmas Sessions.
2006 saw the release of the album Coming Up to Breathe, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Christian Albums, and #13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Also released was Coming Up to Breathe Acoustic.
In 2007, MercyMe released their newest album, All That Is Within Me, which debuted at #15 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.
In 2010 they released The Generous Mr. Lovewell. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Christian Albums chart.
August 30, 2011 they released an album titled The Worship Sessions; it's currently exclusive to Family Christian Bookstores and can not be found on iTunes or Amazon.
The The Hurt & The Healer Songfacts says that their eighth major label studio album, The Hurt & Tye Healer, will be released on May 22, 2012. The record was produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala and is centered around the concept of bringing healing to the hurting.
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
MercyMe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
I can hear them
I can hear them
I can hear them
I can hear them
Oh...
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 does He sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
With peace on earth good will to men
I can hear You
I can hear You
I can hear You
I can hear You
I can hear You
I can hear You
Oh….
I could still hear You
I can hear You
The world can hear You
I can hear You loud
I can hear You loud
I can hear You loud
I can hear You loud
The song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by MercyMe is actually a rendition of the Christmas carol "Christmas Bells" written by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow wrote the original poem in 1863, during the American Civil War. The song begins with a description of bells ringing on Christmas Day and how their sound repeats the words of peace on earth and goodwill towards men. The singer then reflects on how these words are mocked by the continued presence of hate and violence in the world.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes even more despairing, feeling that there is no hope for peace on earth. However, the bells continue to ring, getting louder and deeper, and the singer hears a voice saying that God is not dead and that the wrong shall fail while the right shall prevail. The song ends with the singer hearing God's voice and feeling hopeful that peace is possible.
Overall, the song is about the struggle to find hope in a world filled with violence and hate, and the comfort that can be found in the belief that good will eventually triumph over evil.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
The singer heard the bells chiming on Christmas Day.
Their old familiar carols play
The bells were playing traditional Christmas songs.
And wild and sweet the words repeat
The lyrics were moving and pleasant to hear.
Of peace on earth good will to men
The lyrics were about spreading peace and goodwill to all people.
And thought how as the day had come
The artist reflected on how it was Christmas Day.
The belfries of all Christendom
The bell towers of all Christian churches.
Had rolled along the unbroken song
The bells had been ringing a continuous song.
Of peace on earth good will to men
The song was about spreading peace and goodwill to all people.
I can hear them
The artist could hear the bells ringing.
Oh...
A pause or contemplative moment.
And in despair I bowed my head
The singer felt hopeless and despondent.
There is no peace on earth I said
The artist expressed disbelief that there could be peace on earth.
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Hate is powerful and undermines the message of peace.
Of peace on earth good will to men
The song is about spreading peace and goodwill to all people.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
The bells grew louder and more intense.
God is not dead nor does He sleep
The artist believes in the continued presence of God.
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
In the end, goodness will triumph over evil.
With peace on earth good will to men
The ultimate goal is to spread peace and goodwill to all people.
I can hear You
The singer can hear God's message of hope and love.
I can hear You loud
The message is strong and clear.
Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
samantha pnag
Lyrics
1. 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.
2. I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. 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.”
4. 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.”
5. 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!
DefenderoftheCross
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.”
If this declaration of the Gospel does not grip you, I don't know how to help you.
rlapham
Up until I heard this version Casting Crowns was my favorite version. I cannot believe this version has been out for 10 years. It is so emotionally gripping. the way it cries "I can hear them" just rips at my heart in a plea declaring that even under the most grueling situations "God's Love trumps all Hate" for God's NOT Dead nor does He Sleep, He hears our Pleas and has a plan designed just for me. (Thank You, MercyMe)
Deborah Sheahy
both versions are my favorite, just different styles,
Pru Cote
The original words were written in 1864 by Henry W. Longfellow as he grieved the sudden loss of his wife in a house fire. Mercy Me certainly does it justice.
juliadennehy
christianbook... they have an awesome selection of christmas cd's... try Kutless, and Building 429, both are SO good. †
Chris Bryant
This is a very good version. You might also enjoy the version done by 7eventh Time Down.
D Koki
This is such a moving version of a carol that stands alone in its honesty and grief over the conditions of our world
And yet....the hope....only because of Jesus.
Rhett Gedies
Needs more views. This rendition is to die for. So emotionally-gripping.
Debbie Matthews
Absolutely beautiful ❤️. Thank You Heavenly Father for giving voice and song to this wonderful group of men, MercyMe, to sing your praises🙏❤️
Mary Rakes
Love love love this song by Mercyme!!! Christmas is over and I can not stop listening to this .
TheBreeNichols
I absolutely adore this song! Its just so beautiful.