While New Year Bells are Ringing (1917)
When New Year bells are ringing
Over land and sea,
What message are they bringing,
My friend, to you and me?
Do they banish care and sadness?
Do they waft us words of cheer?
With songs of mirth and gladness
Do they herald the opening year?
Do they echo shouts of triumph?
Do they carol goodwill and peace?
Do they speak of the golden era
When the din of war will cease?
When swords are turned to ploughshares,
To pruning hooks all spears,
When no dread sound of warfare
Shall darken the coming years.
In homes now sunk in sadness
They will stir some tender chord,
Recall past scenes of gladness
That can never be restored.
May New Year bells be pealing
The anthems of the free,
And sounds of triumph stealing
To us from o’er the sea.