A Christmas Carmen

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Narrative Poem
I.     Sound over all waters, reach out from all lands,     The chorus of voices, the clasping of hands;     Sing hymns that were sung by the stars of the morn,     Sing songs of the angels when Jesus was born!     With glad jubilations     Bring hope to the nations!     The dark night is ending and dawn has begun:     Rise, hope of the ages, arise like the sun,     All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one! II.     Sing the bridal of nations! with chorals of love     Sing out the war-vulture and sing in the dove,     Till the hearts of the peoples keep time in accord,     And the voice of the world is the voice of the Lord!     Clasp hands of the nations     In strong gratulations:     The dark night is ending and dawn has begun;     Rise, hope of the ages, arise like the sun,     All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one! III.     Blow, bugles of battle, the marches of peace;     East, west, north, and south let the long quarrel cease     Sing the song of great joy that the angels began,     Sing of glory to God and of good-will to man!     Hark! joining in chorus     The heavens bend o’er us!     The dark night is ending and dawn has begun;     Rise, hope of the ages, arise like the sun,     All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, structured in three stanzas of equal length and rhythmic precision, constructs a vision of global unity through musical and spiritual harmony. The speaker invokes a chorus of voices and clasping hands, suggesting a communal act of celebration that transcends borders and historical divisions. The recurring image of dawn breaking through the dark night serves as a metaphor for collective renewal, while the repeated refrain of the hope of the ages rising like the sun reinforces the poem's optimistic tone. The poem's language is deliberately inclusive, urging all nations to join in jubilation and abandon conflict, as symbolized by the war-vulture being replaced by the dove. The final stanza transforms martial instruments into messengers of peace, completing the poem's transition from discord to concord. This transformation is not merely political but spiritual, as the speaker calls for a universal song of joy that echoes the angels' hymns. The poem's insistence on unity is both aspirational and urgent, culminating in the vision of all hearts beating as one a striking image that encapsulates the poem's central hope for a harmonious, interconnected world. The precision of the poem's structure and the repetition of key phrases create a sense of inevitability, as if the dawn of this new era is already unfolding.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.