Come and listen to the chiming <br />Of St. Michael's merry bells, <br />When the joyous Christmas morning, <br />All of Bethlehem's story tells. <br />When they sweetly chime the anthem <br />'Glory to be to God on high,' <br />When the children swell the chorus, <br />Earth to heaven seems very nigh. <br /> <br />On the gladsome Easter morning, <br />When the earliest flow'rets bloom, <br />Snowdrops pure and violets purple <br />Blend to scatter sweet perfume; <br />Then your happiest notes are poured forth, <br />Then your Jubilee is heard, <br />Pealing out in joyful accents, <br />Chiming, 'God is very good.' <br /> <br />From that ancient lofty turret, <br />O'erlooking land and sea, <br />Peals of comfort have been wafted, <br />Sounds of gladness o'er the lea. <br />Many a storm-tost, weary wanderer <br />Looked to thee as hope's bright star, <br />Listened to thy mellow chiming, <br />Smiling as he crossed the bar. <br /> <br />Ah! old bells, beneath your tolling, <br />Many a form lies buried low, <br />'Neath the green-sward of 'God's Acre,' <br />Rest they, all their sorrows o'er. <br />Softly wave the bending willows, <br />Sweetly sing the birds their lays, <br />Whilst thy dear old bells are clanging, <br />They are singing hymns of praise. <br /> <br />Dear old bells your music thrills me, <br />Whether rung in joy or woe, <br />They recall the joyous spring time <br />Of fond mem'ry's 'long age.' <br />Sweetly chime through all the ages; <br />As time's cycles swiftly move; <br />Peal forth loudly, God is gracious; <br />Whisper softly, He is love.<br /><br />Mary Weston Fordham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bells-of-st-michael/
