<Tr> <Th> Based on </Th> <Td> Micah 5: 5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Meter </Th> <Td> 8.8. 8.8 . (L.M.) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Melody </Th> <Td> "Waltham" by John Baptiste Calkin </Td> </Tr> <P> "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1863 poem "Christmas Bells" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow . The song tells of the narrator's despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men". The carol concludes with the bells carrying renewed hope for peace among men . </P>

I heard the bells on christmas day public domain