Hymnal for Church and Home ‎#57

57. Hallowed Church Bell, Not For Earthly Centers

1 Hallowed church bell, not for worldly centers
Wast thou made but for the village small,
Where thy toll, as home and hearth it enters,
Blends with lullabies at even fall.

2 When a child, and in the country dwelling,
Christmas morning seemed my heav'n on earth,
And thy chimes, like angel voices swelling,
Told with joy of my Redeemer’s birth.

3 Louder still thy joyful tones resounded
When, on wings of early morning borne,
They proclaimed: Awake with joy unbounded,
Christ arose this blessed Easter morn.

4 Sweeter even was thy toll when blending
With the calm of summer's eventide,
And, like voices from the sky descending,
They did bid me lay all care aside.

5 Hence, as now the day is softly ending,
Shadows fall, and birds ascend their nest,
With the flow'rs my head in silence bending,
I am chanting with my soul at rest:

6 "When at last, O church bell, thou art tolling
O’er my grave as loved ones weep and sigh,
Say to them, their troubled hearts consoling:
He is resting with the Lord on high!'"

Text Information

• First Line: Hallowed church bell not for earthly centers
• Title: Hallowed Church Bell, Not For Earthly Centers
• Author: N. F. S. Grundtvig
• Meter: 10, 9, 10, 9.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1927
• Topic: Morning and Evening
• Notes: Danish first line: Kirkeklokke, ej til Hovedstaeder; Translator: J. C. Aaberg

Tune Information

• Name: [Hallowed church bells, not for earthly centers]
• Composer: H. Rung
• Meter: 10, 9, 10, 9.
• Key: F Major