The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
