The Twelve Days of Christmas
Pevan & Sarah Lyrics
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Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet, the words repeat
Of 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
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
In the opening verse of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," the singer describes hearing the familiar sound of Christmas bells ringing in the air. These bells are playing traditional carols that evoke feelings of nostalgia and warmth. The lyrics emphasize the repetition of the words "peace on earth, good will to men," suggesting a hopeful and positive message that is being spread through the music of the bells.
As the singer reflects on the significance of Christmas Day, they imagine the bells of churches all over Christendom ringing out in unison, creating a powerful and continuous symphony of peace and goodwill. This imagery highlights the unity and shared celebration that Christmas brings to people of faith around the world. The repetition of the message of peace and goodwill reinforces the idea that these values are central to the Christmas spirit.
However, amidst the joy and celebration of Christmas, the singer experiences a moment of doubt and despair. They express a realization that in the face of hatred and conflict in the world, the ideal of peace on earth seems unattainable. The lyrics poignantly convey the struggle between the hopeful message of Christmas and the harsh realities of a world plagued by discord and violence.
In a climactic turn of events, the bells ring out with renewed strength and conviction, signaling a shift in perspective. The lyrics suggest that despite the presence of hate and the challenges of the world, there is a deeper spiritual truth - that God is present and vigilant. The final verses offer a message of hope and reassurance, proclaiming that ultimately, goodness will triumph over evil and that peace and goodwill will prevail. Through this powerful conclusion, the song conveys a profound message of faith, resilience, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
I listened to the ringing of church bells on the holiday dedicated to celebrating the birth of Christ.
Their old familiar carols play
These bells accompanied the traditional, well-loved songs that tell of joy and celebration.
And wild and sweet, the words repeat
The lyrics of these carols resonate in a joyful yet poignant manner, echoing an enduring message.
Of peace on earth, good will to men
The central theme of these songs is a heartfelt wish for harmony among individuals and kindness towards one another.
I thought how as the day had come
I reflected on the significance of this special day and its arrival in the calendar.
The belfries of all Christendom
Church towers throughout the Christian world were ringing to herald this day.
Had rolled along the unbroken song
These bells continued the timeless melody of hope and goodwill without interruption.
Of peace on earth, good will to men
This melody echoes the universal hope for tranquility and benevolence among people.
In despair, I bowed my head
Overwhelmed with hopelessness, I lowered my head in sorrow and contemplation.
There is no peace on earth, I said
I lamented the grim reality that tranquility seems absent from our world.
For hate is strong and mocks the song
I observed that animosity is powerful and ridicules the very message of love and peace conveyed in the carols.
Of peace on earth, good will to men
The anthem of harmony and generosity seems to be overshadowed by the forces of hatred.
Then pealed the bells, more loud and deep
Suddenly, the bells rang out with even greater intensity and resonance.
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep
This powerful sound reminded me that the divine presence is alive and attentive to human struggles.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
In time, justice will triumph and righteousness will be vindicated over wrongdoing.
With peace on earth, good will to men
The ultimate outcome will be a return to the founding ideals of harmony and kindness towards all humanity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Sarah McLachlan, Pierre Marchand, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind