...is peace on Earth

 
  I heard the bells on Christmas Day
  Their old familiar carols play
  And mild and sweet the words repeat
  Of peace on Earth, good-will to men!

  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!

  Then from each black accursed mouth
  The cannons thundered in the south
  And with the sound
  The carols drowned
  Of peace on Earth, and good-will to men!

  It was as if an earthquake rent
  The hearth-stone of a continent
  And made forlorn
  The households born
  Of peace on Earth, good-will to men!

  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!"

  The pealed the bells, 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!"


~from Henry Longfellow's "Christmas bells"
written on December 25, 1863