"Süßer die Glocken nie klingen" (Sweeter the bells never sound) is a popular German Christmas carol with text by Friedrich Wilhelm Kritzinger to a traditional Volkslied melody, first printed in 1860.

It has remained popular and is part of many song books and Christmas recordings, evoking the sound of bells as a symbol of peace and joy.

The theologian and pedagogue Friedrich Wilhelm Kritzinger wrote the text when he was the director of a seminary for women teachers in Droyßig, matching a well-known Volkslied melody, of the evening song[1] "Seht, wie die Sonne dort sinket" (Look how the sun is setting there)", which was documented in Thuringia from 1841 and in Silesia from 1847.

[2][11] The melody of "Seht, wie die Sonne dort sinket" was popular in several variants, including "Das Liebchen im Grabe".

O wenn die Glocken erklingen, Schnell sie das Christkindlein hört: Thut sich vom Himmel dann schwingen, Eilet hernieder zur Erd'.