I Heard the Bells

http://www.umr.org/Dec23/SFhy1223.htm

History behind I Heard the Bells

http://www.crosswinds.net/~schfrs/hymns/bells.htm

It seems that out of grief and tragedy authors are stirred to greater heights. This is also true of one of America's greatest poets, Henry W. Longfellow. In 1861, Longfellow's beloved wife was burned to death in a fire. This was also the year that the American Civil War began. In 1864, as he watched the war bring hatred into the lives of so many he penned a poem that we now sing during the Christmas season, "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day." A simple message of hope written during a very stormy time in America's history.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/5407/Christmas3.html

Tragedy struck the home of American's most popular poet. On July 9, 1861, Henry Wadsworth Longellow's wife, Fanny, was near an open window sealing the locks of her daughter's hair in a packet, using hot sealing wax. It was never known whether a spark from a match or the sealing wax was the cause, but suddenly her dress caught fire and engulfed her with flames. Her husband, sleeping in the next room, was awaked by her screams. He desperately tried to put out the fire and save his wife. He was severely burned on his face and hands.

	History Behind "I Heard the Bells"

	http://www.umr.org/Dec23/SFhy1223.htm History behind I Heard the Bells http://www.crosswinds.net/~schfrs/hymns/bells.htm It seems that out of grief and tragedy authors are stirred to greater heights. This is also true of one of America's greatest poets, Henry W. Longfellow. In 1861, Longfellow's beloved wife was burned to death in a fire. This was also the year that the American Civil War began. In 1864, as he watched the war bring hatred into the lives of so many he penned a poem that we now sing during the Christmas season, "I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day." A simple message of hope written during a very stormy time in America's history. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/5407/Christmas3.html Tragedy struck the home of American's most popular poet. On July 9, 1861, Henry Wadsworth Longellow's wife, Fanny, was near an open window sealing the locks of her daughter's hair in a packet, using hot sealing wax. It was never known whether a spark from a match or the sealing wax was the cause, but suddenly her dress caught fire and engulfed her with flames. Her husband, sleeping in the next room, was awaked by her screams. He desperately tried to put out the fire and save his wife. He was severely burned on his face and hands.