The Story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Posted by Lily Topolski Music on Nov 12th 2025

Christmastime is a season that often brings us many memories and sometimes a mix of emotions. So many of us feel the loss of loved ones during the Christmas season, and "America's Poet" was no exception. There is much we can learn from just one of this man's many poems, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, also known as "America's Poet", lived from 1807 to 1882. This put his life during the time of the Civil War, when some say that roughly two percent of America's population died in battle. There was anything but peace in the world in which Longfellow lived. Literal fighting, battlefields, bloodshed, political unrest, and anxiousness was part of the life of most Americans. The Civil War affected thousands of citizens, including the great poet, Longfellow.

During his life, Longfellow also experienced great loss, tragedy, and fear. His first wife died after complications with a miscarriage. He later remarried and together he and his second wife had six children. His second wife died from a tragic accident, his oldest son ran from home to join the Civil War without his permission, and his son, nephew, and wife's half-brother would all be wounded in the war.

In the midst of his suffering, however, Longfellow new there was hope. And indeed, there is hope for all of us in the midst of suffering because our God knows our every need and cares for us! He sees our suffering and is our great Comforter. The words of Longfellow's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day are a lesson to all of us in the midst of what may feel like a lack of peace in the home, country, or world this Christmas.

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.

I thought how as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, goodwill 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, goodwill to men."