Carol of the Birds

Whence comes this rush of wings afar, Following straight the Noël star?
Birds from the woods in wondrous flight, Bethlehem seek this Holy Night.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Traditional Bas-Quercey Carol
“Tell us, ye birds, why come ye here, In to this stable, poor and drear?”
“Hast ’ning we seek the new born King, And all our sweetest music bring.”
I thought how, as the day had come, The bel fries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th’unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Hark how the Green finch bears his part, Philomel, too, with tender heart,
Chants from her leafy dark re treat Re, mi, fa, sol, inaccents sweet.
And in despair I bowed my head, “There is no peace on earth,” Isaid,
For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Angels and shepherds, birds of the sky, Come where the Son of God doth lie;
Christ on the earth with man doth dwell, Join in the shout, “Noël, Noël!”
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, goodwill to men.

Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night today,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.