31 December 2011

ringing out the old...

ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
the flying cloud, the frosty light;
the year is dying in the night;
ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

ring out the old, ring in the new,
ring, happy bells, across the snow:
the year is going, let him go;
ring out the false, ring in the true.

ring out the grief that saps the mind,
for those that here we see no more,
ring out the feud of rich and poor,
ring in redress to all mankind.

ring out a slowly dying cause,
and ancient forms of party strife;
ring in the nobler modes of life,
with sweeter manners, purer laws.

ring out the want, the care, the sin,
the faithless coldness of the times;
ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,
but ring the fuller minstrel in.

ring out false pride in place and blood,
the civic slander and the spite;
ring in the love of truth and right,
ring in the common love of good.

ring out old shapes of foul disease,
ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
ring out the thousand wars of old,
ring in the thousand years of peace.

ring in the valiant man and free,
the larger heart the kindlier hand;
ring out the darkness of the land,
ring in the Christ that is to be.

alfred, lord tennyson, 1850.

9 comments:

Janie Fox said...

I love that. I have never read that before. I am saving it!

Tabor said...

Alfred does it so well, doesn't he?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!

And all my best wishes for this New Year!

Nancy Tripp said...

what a perfect sentiment. Thanks.

Irene said...

I know it's tradition to do this poem at the New Year, but I would have preferred your own words. Happy New Year.

Linda said...

Happy New Year!!

Cindi said...

I've not read this before... or now that I think of it... any of his writings before. Obviously I lead a life much too sheltered and will have to change that this year. Thank you.

Graciegreen said...

Thanks for printing this old poem...makes you think times have not changed much at all. Happy New Year!

chris said...

this poem was new to me as well and i thought it fitting - and timeless - for the new year! happy new year to you!!