So I yesterday I was given the opportunity to create a holiday album that will be distributed properly, benefiting monks and the people of Tibet.

I could do a boring piano/vox album…but if we make it a collective ccMixter project, we can share writing/publishing and net sales (after Tibetan contribution of course!).

‘Heard the Bells’ a capella and correlating piano track are here in 320k mp3 (I’m receiving error messages for FLAC). Other ccMixter artists will be doing the same!

I modified the lyrics, melody and accompaniment from the original a bit (by Henry Wadsorth Longfellow, about the civil war). Thought it made more sense this way. Peace…

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carol’s play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace, peace on earth

I thought somehow the day had come
For truth behind all Christiandom
But blindly we just roll along
With a broken song of peace

Peace

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
We separate the right from wrong
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth
Peace for men and women everywhere
Goodwill to all

Then peeled bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth he sleep
Life cannot fail love will prevail
With peace on earth
Ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime of
Peace on earth

Peace on earth
Peace
Peace on earth
Goodwill to all