I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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About this hymn

Date: 1864
Tune: Waltham (Calkin)
Composer: John Baptiste Calkin
Key: Eb
Meter: 8 8 8 8

Historical background

This edition is preserved in the Open Hymnal Project at source revision d35811b2d5c9. Contributor and publication details below are reproduced from the score metadata rather than inferred.

Theology & Scripture

The source index associates this text with Assurance, Christmas/Advent, Comfort, Courage in Affliction, God, Care of, God, Faithfulness of.

Lk 2:13-14 · Is 41:13

Musical background

Waltham (Calkin) is presented in the source key of Eb, with four documented parts.

Sources & rights

Verified for United States on 2026-10-13. Public domain — source score marking

Words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1864. Music: 'Waltham (Calkin)' John B. Calkin, 1872. Setting: "The Book of Common Praise", 1885. copyright: public domain.