High is the belfry the old sexton stands, <br />Grasping the rope with his thin bony hands; <br />Fix'd is his gaze, as by some magic spell, <br />Till he hears the distant murmmer, <br />Ring, ring the bell. <br /> <br />"Ring the bell, watchman! ring! ring! ring! <br />Yes, yes! the good news is now on the wing; <br />Yes, yes! they come, and with tidings to tell -- <br />Glorious and blessed tidings -- <br />Ring, ring the bell!" <br /> <br />Baring his long silver locks to the breeze, <br />First for a moment he drops on his knees; <br />Then with a rigor that few could excel, <br />Answers the welcome bidding, <br />Ring, ring the bell. <br /> <br />Hear! from the hilltop, the first signal gun <br />Thunders the word that some great deed is done; <br />Hear! thru' the valley the long echoes swell, <br />Ever and anon repeating, <br />Ring, ring the bell. <br /> <br />Bonfires are blazing and rockets ascend -- <br />No meager triumphs such tokens portend; <br />Shout, shout! my brothers, for "all, all is well!" <br />'Tis the universal chorus, <br />Ring, ring the bell.<br /><br />Henry Clay Work<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ring-the-bell-watchman/
