Name: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Duration: P00H03M17S
Description: Lyrics taken from a poem written on Christmas Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the American Civil War, after his son was shot. His 1863 poem in full:

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

by P.T. Banks

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Lyrics taken from a poem written on Christmas Day by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the American Civil War, after his son was shot. His 1863 poem in full:

lyrics

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 earth, good-will to men!"

credits

released December 5, 2017
Paul Banks: vocals, acoustic guitar, hammond b3, synthesizers

Jonathan Nesvadba: recording engineer
Justin Douglas: mixing, mastering, recording engineer

Recorded in Los Angeles in Joel Nesvadba's bedroom and in Austin at King Electric Recording

Cover art by Garrett DeRossett

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P.T. Banks Austin

P.T. Banks (formerly of Paul Banks & The Carousels)

“There’s enough spark in Banks' melodies to illuminate an entire room. The album shimmers and sways, the songs shine from their core.”
– Paste Magazine

“Banks’ tenor has grown stronger, almost unearthly.”
- Texas Monthly

"Impeccably arranged songs."
-Austin Monthly

"Banks' melodies are beautifully mesmerizing."
-Austin Chronicle ... more

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