In Memoriam (Ring out, wild bells)

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.


-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) British Romantic Poet and Poet Laureate