High in the belfry the old sexton stands,
Clasping the rope with his thin bony hands;
Fixed is his gaze as by some magic spell,
Till he hears the distant murmur, ring, ring the bell!
Ring the bell watchman, ring, ring!
Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wings
Glorious and blessed tidings. Ring, ring the bell!
Baring his long silver locks tov the breeze,
First for a moment he drops on his knees
Then with a vigor that few could excel
Answers he the welcome bidding,
Ring, ring the bell
Ring the bell watchman, ring, ring!
Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wings
Yes, yes! They come and with tidings to tell!
Glorious and blessed tidings
Ring, ring the bell!
Hear! from the hilltop, the first signal gun
Thunders the word that some great deed is done
Hear! thro' the valley the long echoes swell,
Ever and anon repeating
Ring, ring the bell
Ring the bell, watchman! ring! ring! ring!
Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wing
Yes, yes! they come and with tiding to tell.
Glorious and blessed tidings. Ring, ring the bell!
Bonfires are blazing and rockets ascend
No meagre triumph such tokens portend
Shout! shout! my brothers for "all, all is well!"
'Tis the universal chorus
Ring, ring the bell
Ring the bell, watchman! ring! ring! ring!
Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wing
Yes, yes! they come and with tiding to tell.
Glorious and blessed tidings Ring, ring the bell!
Ring the bell, watchman! ring! ring! ring!
Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wing
Yes, yes! they come and with tiding to tell
Glorious and blessed tidings. Ring, ring the bell!
Glorious and blessed tidings ring, ring the bell!