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
MercyMe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
I can hear them
I can hear them
I can hear them
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 could still hear You
The world can hear You
The first stanza of MercyMe’s “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is based on the poem “Christmas Bells” by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The lyrics describe the familiar sounds of church bells ringing with traditional carols playing, creating an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. The singer expresses his appreciation for the beauty of the scene, and notes how such a peaceful message has been conveyed by Christians throughout the world through time.
However, this peace is short-lived as the singer’s mood changes in the second stanza. He expresses his despair, declaring that there is no peace on Earth, for hatred and violence are too strong, and they ridicule the message of peace brought by the bells. The third stanza provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer hears the bells ring more loudly and deeply, confidently proclaiming that God is not dead, nor does He sleep. The singer expresses faith that justice will prevail and peace will once again reign on Earth.
This song expertly captures the themes of hope and despair, as well as the powerful symbolism of church bells ringing during the holiday season. The lyrics serve as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is still a glimmer of hope and that peace will ultimately win over hatred and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
I listened to the ringing of the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
The familiar Christmas carols were being sung with the ringing of those bells
And wild and sweet the words repeat
The lyrics of the carols were cheerful and pleasant
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
The message of the carols is about peace on earth and good will towards everyone
And thought how as the day had come
I began to think about the significance of this day
The belfries of all Christendom
All the bell towers of Christianity
Had rolled along the unbroken song
These towers were creating a united song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
A song about peace on earth and good will towards everyone
I can hear them
I was able to hear these bells and their message
I can hear them
I was able to hear these bells and their message
I can hear them
I can still hear the sound of these bells
And in despair I bowed my head
I became depressed and bowed my head
“There is no peace on Earth” I said
I made the statement that there is no peace on earth
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Hate is a powerful force that is belittling the message of the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
The song of peace on earth and good will towards everyone
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
The bells rang with more volume and depth
God is not dead nor does He sleep
God is alive and well, and not asleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
In the end, good will triumph over evil
With peace on Earth, good will to men
The message of peace on earth and good will towards everyone
I can hear You
I was able to hear the voice of God
I can hear You
I was able to hear the voice of God
I can hear You
I am still able to hear the voice of God
The world can hear You
Everyone can hear God's message of peace and goodwill
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.