I  HEARD  THE  BELLS  ON  CHRISTMAS  DAY   -  Calkin

Time signature:  4/4
Tempo: Moderate.
Words:  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863) 
Music: John Baptiste Calkin (1872) 
There are two different tunes for this Christmas carol,  A recent one by Johnny Marks in 1956, and an earlier one (given below) by John Baptiste Calkin back in 1872.

               UNDER CONSTRUCTION:  Notation & youTube keys need to be checked.
​
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar =  4
Beat symbol  =  Dot ( . ) or equivalent    
Inside row (low)  = Buttons  2* to 6  plus o1* & o6*
There are two important accidentals in this tune that are only available on the double-row Erica accordion when playing low on the inside row, as shown below.
Verse 1  (of 4)  

.3  |    ;4      "o1*    .4     .4    |      ;4*     "4      .4*
 I     heard   the   bells  on       Christ-mas  day,
  
  .o6*   |    .5    .6    .6*   .5*    |    ;5*   "5       .5 
Their      old   fa - mil - iar        car - ols   play.  /

  .5    |    ;5     "4*     .4       .4*   |     ;4      "3*    .3 
And     wild  and  sweet  the     words   re - peat  /

.3*   |     .4       .4*    .5         .5*    |   ;2*   "3*   .3~ 
Of       peace  on  earth  good      will    to  men.   /


​Verses 2 to 4  follow the tune for verse 1,  slowing near end of verse 4 and holding the final note for a count of "two" (or more, if you prefer) beats.
​
Guitar (Chord - strumming) Notation  
Chords are given for keys of  C (blue) and G (red).  For other keys, use capo.
Verse 1 (of 4)

    |    G                                   |    D7        
    |    C                                   |    G7               
 I     heard   the   bells  on       Christmas  day,
  
           |   G                   |    Am           D7
           |   C                   |    Dm           G7 
Their     old   familiar       carols    play.  

         |   G                                 |    Em
         |   C                                 |    Am
And     wild  and  sweet  the     words    repeat  

       |      G                                  |    D7            G
       |      C                                  |    G7            C
Of       peace  on  earth  good      will    to  men.   


​Embedded youTube VIDEOS
​
Total of 11 videos in various keys:    D = 3;    Eb = 4;    E = 2;    F = 1;    G = 1
Key:  F from time 0 to 0:49
         G from 0:50 to 2:25 (End)

Singer:  Johnny Cash

​Posted by:  Johnny Cash
Key:  Eb from time 0 to 1:24
​         E   from 1:25 to 2:33 (End)

Singer:  Jimmie Rodgers

​Posted by:  ​Christmas Essentials
Key:  D

Singer:  Steven Curtis Chapman

​Posted by:  Steven Curtis Chapman
Key:  F
​
​Group:  St. Peter's Choir

Posted by:  1finch2finch
Key:  D

Singer: Anthony (Tony) Archibald

Posted by:  threelegsoman
​
Tony's comments imply he is using the Calkin version.  However, the tune departs in a number of places from the notes and rhythm shown above.  Still, an enjoyable performance and interpretation.
Key:  D

Arranged and performed by
​www.hymncharts.com

Posted by:  Celebrating Holidays
Key:  E 

Organist:  Rodney Jantzi

Played on a reed organ, with church chimes added.

​Posted by:  Rodney Jantzi
Key:   Eb

Pianist:  Andrew Remillard

Posted by:  Andrew Remillard
Key:  Eb

Slides & Audio by CARadke
​
​Posted by:  HymnSite
Key:  Eb  from time 0 to 1:50
         F   from 1:51 to 3:06  (End)

Group:  Gaither Vocal Band

Posted by:  Diego James Christian
Key:  Eb from time 0 to 
         Gb  from 1:50 to 2:18
         G  from 2:19 to  (End)

Group:  The Heritage Chorale
             UMKC Conservatory of Music

Posted by:  jpbkc

Carol begins at time 0:24
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their words repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep; 
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men
Background Links:
​(wikipedia)
Click HERE for additional info about this song.

Click HERE  for biographical info on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
​
Click HERE ​for information about musician John Baptiste Calkin