Ring Out, Wild Bells

First poem of the New Year & today being the Feast of Epiphany, with content that addresses both occasions: that is what I consider a win all around. I love this poem, perhaps because I heard it sung before I knew it was a poem & now I hear the song while reading it. In light of that I have included a YouTube video & recommend hitting play while reading along with the lyrics/poem. There are many phrases that bear repeating, but I will leave you to it. Feel free to comment below with your favorite phrase.

In Memoriam, 
[Ring out, wild bells]
Lord Alfred Tennyson, 1809 - 1892


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 my 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.