Ring out, ye bells! <br />All Nature swells <br />With gladness at the wondrous story, - <br />The world was at lorn, <br />But Christ is born <br />To change our sadness into glory. <br /> <br />Sing, earthlings, sing! <br />To-night a King <br />Hath come from heaven's high throne to bless us. <br />The outstretched hand <br />O'er all the land <br />Is raised in pity to caress us. <br /> <br />Come at His call; <br />Be joyful all; <br />Away with mourning and with sadness! <br />The heavenly choir <br />With holy fire <br />Their voices raise in songs of gladness. <br /> <br />The darkness breaks <br />And Dawn awakes, <br />Her cheeks suffused with youthful blushes. <br />The rocks and stones <br />In holy tones <br />Are singing sweeter than the thrushes. <br /> <br />Then why should we <br />In silence be, <br />When Nature lends her voice to praises; <br />When heaven and earth <br />Proclaim the truth <br />Of Him for whom that lone star blazes? <br /> <br />No, be not still, <br />But with a will <br />Strike all your harps and set them ringing; <br />On hill and heath <br />Let every breath <br />Throw all its power into singing!<br /><br />Paul Laurence Dunbar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-carol-5/
