A Carol of Bells

Ring, Christmas bells of London,

Swing wildly with a will,

Sing loudly over sea and strand

Until your voices reach the land,

Where all the bells are still.

The carillons of Ypres,

The chimes of Arras town,

They hear you and they throb to you,

But cannot even sob to you

(Toll sadly, bells of London,

Your sister-bells are undone),

The Huns have torn them down.

Swing, Christmas bells; ring, London bells;

Sing through this dark December,

And tell them we remember.

"Greetings to all!"

Boom the bells of St. Paul;

"Our loves never vary,"

Vow the bells of Saint Mary;

"Our hearts are aglow,"

Growls the great bell of Bow;

"'Tis far you are from us,"

Clash the bells of St. Thomas;

"And long you are gone,"

Add the bells of Saint John;

"Quit you like men!"

Thunders Big Ben.

Swing gladly, ring devoutly,

Sing solemnly and say:

"Wherever British speech is heard,

Wherever British hearts are stirred,

There is one thought to-day.

In palace and in cottage,

In vicarage and manse,

Your kindred wait and pray for you,

And consecrate the day for you;

Pray gladly, pray devoutly,

For all who battle stoutly

In Flanders or in France.

Swing, Christmas bells; ring, London bells;

Sing through this dark December,

And tell them we remember.

"God make you glad,"

Shout the bells of St. Chad;

"Hope ever smiles,"

Laugh the bells of St. Giles;

"Maid waits for man,"

Say the bells of St. Ann;

"Come home and meet her,"

Sigh the bells of St. Peter;

"In terra pax,"

Sings Simmery Axe;

"Quit you like men!"

Thunders Big Ben.

And all sing in tune,

"May it be soon!"

In tune they all sing,

"God save the King!"