Look at the world, it's waking up I couldn't sleep for dreaming My weary soul is finally home I had the strangest feeling This is the dawn, the break of day After the midnight parted These ringing ears have waited years To hear the bells of Harlem Far down the streets, I see the sign The crowd is breathing faster Some must have walked a hundred blocks I see the flocks in pastures Oh what a time to be alive These are the pasts forgotten It's been a long and lonely night I hear the bells of Harlem They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing The darkest hour is passed They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing A little joy at long last The darkest rose, ain't no more cane We grind it down to sawdust We couldn't stop the freedom train I hear the bells of Harlem