I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Stanzas 4 - 7)

After losing his first wife during a miscarriage, after losing his first daughter, after losing his second wife to a tragic fire, we can understand why Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would want to protect his family and protect his heart from further tragedy.

In 1861, the year his second wife died, the United States was torn apart by civil war. Henry wanted to keep his oldest son Charley from joining the Union army, but two years later Charley enlisted against his father's wishes.

In November 1863, Longfellow received a telegram that Charley had been shot in the face. Actually, the bullet hit his back, knicking his spine. With an anxious heart Henry went searching for Charley, and finally brought him home for a long recuperation.

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a much more powerful carol when we know the two stanzas usually omitted. Compare these words to the tension and violence in our own culture today:

4. 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!

The civil war tore apart not only the country; it also divided communities and families...

5. 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!

No wonder Longfellow wrote:

6. 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!”

Despite all the discord and hate, Longfellow couldn't escape the promise of "peace on earth."

Longfellow was quoting from the King James Bible of his era. The refrain is what the angels said to shepherds about the birth of Jesus:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men." (Luke 2:14, KJV)

More recent translations say, "peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased" (New Living Translation, 2015)

Peace is offered to "those with whom God is pleased." What does it take to please God? Jesus said that it is found in believing in Him. Allowing His peace--not hate--to rule in our hearts. (John 6:28-29; 1 John 3:22; Colossians 3:15)

The baby in the manger of Bethlehem would someday rule as the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6; cp. Micah 5:5). That is why despite personal tragedy, despite national turmoil, Longfellow could conclude:

7. 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 earth, good-will to men!”

SOURCES:
https://www.hwlongfellow.org/life_elder.shtml
https://www.nps.gov/articles/charles-longfellow-in-the-civil-war.htm
https://nunwild.com/charley-longfellow-war-tattoos-and-a-badass/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/i-heard-the-bells-on-chri_b_2316476