1 I heard the church bells ringing,
I heard the children singing,
With happy hearts and voices sweet,
On Christmas morn that song so meet.

Refrain:
Ring, ring, merry bells,
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring;
This is the song the church bells ring,
This is the song the angels sing,
Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.

2 I heard the mother saying,
I heard the old man praying,
With agèd lips and feeble frame,
And lowly knee—the words the same. [Refrain]

3 The storm is gently dying,
The snow is softly lying
On shrouded hill and silent stream:
All nature sleeps—and this her dream. [Refrain]

4 The cares of day grow lighter,
The hour of death grows brighter;
For Jesus Christ was born today,
Let young and old unite and say, [Refrain]