Customer Reviews

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is reminiscent of "Philadelphia", by Springsteen, in that
beautiful, haunting, almost holy way, when I saw his performance
on The Grammy Awards years ago.

Want to download another song, or write to someone, but I keep
listening to this song. Nothing can inspire more, fill me with
bliss, at this moment.

Thank you so much, Casting Crowns, and Amazon, for this gift.

This has never been one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I'm enjoying it quite a bit now. This arrangement perfectly captures the gloom of the early verses (There is no peace on earth, I said) and the hopefulness of the later verses.

The lyrics are Longfellow's, written in the midst of personal tragedy and a country at war on Christmas Day 1864. He commits heart and soul to pour out words which resonate at any time in any age. The poem was set to music in 1872 by organist John Baptiste Calkin. The Calkin version of the carol has been the standard, arranged and rearranged as a staple on what seems like every performer and musical group's Christmas offering. The melody for the Casting Crowns song however is completely different. Also, the perspective of this unique composition. It includes the listener hearing a rendition of what motivates the lyricist. What sounds like all female voices capture the sound of a bell choir seeming like angels singing with just one purpose. "Peace on Earth." Their voices are uninflected, singular and unflinching, haunting and surreal. What was achieved in this studio recording trumps the live recordings by this group and others covering this version. This incredible composition and arrangement builds to a bridge which is over the top brilliant. Amazing. Amazing.

I always liked the old poem/carol, but this is a super-polished and fresh version that I love. I am not a "Casting Crowns" fan, but the music and vocals on this song are great. Uplifting and energizing and beautiful all at the same time. EXCELLENT.

What a great song from such a loveable group. Peace on earth, what a day that will be when the Prince of Peace returns to take his children home. It's always nice to hear a new spin on an old favorite.
Fellow musicians at [...] firmly believe in telling the story of God's love from a personal prospective so the whole world will hear the truth in a way that can be understood by everyone. Nice work you guys, may God's blessings shower down on you for your offerings of love. Steve Scott.

I like Casting Crowns and this is a really good effort, and a nice take on a classic holiday hymn. And a plus is, I got it free!

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It just gives me chills to listen to it. When you read about the history of the song - it is from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, it will bring tears to your eyes. Like another reviewer said, when you have someone serving in the military, it really does hit home - it was written during the last part of the civil war.

I'll admit, when I first heard the traditional version of this song years ago, I hated it. Yet with Casting Crowns' driving piano beginning the track and the crescendo in the bridge, this has become my favorite song, almost to the point of obsession. It's inspiring and beautiful and you need to download it right now if you haven't already.

I just purchased the two free downloads but these guys are great. I will get the the whole album. A true find.

The more I hear this song the more I am liking it. It is becoming one of my favorites. I am happy that now I can listen to it on my iPod.
I usually like Casting Crowns, and this is definitely one of their great songs.
Thanks for sharing it with us, Amazon.