Analysis of The Sleigh-Bells

'Tis merry to hear, at evening time,
    By the blazing hearth the sleigh-bells chime;
    To know the bounding steeds bring near
    The loved one to our bosoms dear.
    Ah, lightly we spring the fire to raise,
    Till the rafters glow with the ruddy blaze;
    Those merry sleigh-bells, our hearts keep time
    Responsive to their fairy chime.
   Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er vale and hill,
  Their welcome notes are trembling still.

'Tis he, and blithely the gay bells sound,
  As his sleigh glides over the frozen ground;
  Hark! He has pass'd the dark pine wood,
  He crosses now the ice-bound flood,
  And hails the light at the open door
  That tells his toilsome journey's o'er.
  The merry sleigh-bells! My fond heart swells
  And trobs to hear the welcome bells;
  Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er ice and snow,
  A voice of gladness, on they go.

Our hut is small, and rude our cheer,
  But love has spread the banquet here;
  And childhood springs to be caress'd
  By our beloved and welcome guest.
  With a smiling brow his tale he tells,
  The urchins ring the merry sleigh-bells;
  The merry sleigh-bells, with shout and song
  They drag the noisy string along;
  Ding-dong, ding-dong, the father's come
  The gay bells ring his welcome home.

From the cedar swamp the gaunt wolves howl,
  From the oak loud whoops the felon owl;
  The snow-storm sweeps in thunder past,
  The forest creaks beneath the blast;
  No more I list, with boding fear,
  The sleigh-bells distant chime to hear.
  The merry sleigh-bells with soothing power
  Shed gladness on the evening hour.
  Ding-dong, ding-dong, what rapture swells
  The music of those joyous bells!