Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Tuesday 18 December 2012

My Favorite

It seems to me  that every year around this time I share this with you , but it is a favorite of mine . The Christmas Carol  "I heard the bells  on Christmas day "
This year as others I will again share this with you if you chose to listen. It is a simple poem by Henry Wordsworth Longfellow . Here is the complete poem, the song leaves out  the  verses reflecting the battlefield

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,
The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along
The unbroken song
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 cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones 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!"


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 the earth, good-will to men."

"During the American Civil War, Longfellow's oldest son Charles Appleton Longfellow joined the Union cause as a soldier without his father's blessing. Longfellow was informed by a letter dated March 14, 1863, after Charles had left. "I have tried hard to resist the temptation of going without your leave but I cannot any longer," he wrote. "I feel it to be my first duty to do what I can for my country and I would willingly lay down my life for it if it would be of any good". Charles soon got an appointment as a lieutenant but, in November, he was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church (in Virginia) during the Mine Run Campaign. Coupled with the recent loss of his wife Frances, who died as a result of an accidental fire, Longfellow was inspired to write "Christmas Bells".

I have written about how much  I like this  song before and mentioned that after he passed away I found the lyrics written in one of my Grandfather's  journals as it was also a favorite of his . Funny how that happens.

Anyhow in light of all of the tears shed over the last few days and those  yet to be shed for the losses ,the message  especially seems fitting somehow .
So here it is;

Stay safe , my friends 

7 comments:

GoLightly said...

Amen.

Cut-N-Jump said...

One of my favorite songs as well. Love and hugs to you my friend.

C-ingspots said...

Such a heartfelt poem. I especially love that last bit about God not being dead, nor doth He sleep, and evil will not triumph...words to bring comfort and joy. As true today as they ever were. Thanks Sherry, Merry Christmas!

Nicole said...

Beautiful

WishIHadAHorsey said...

Amen.

Unknown said...

I love it!

kestrel said...

I needed that...thanks.