Judy Cook, Folksinger

Ring The Bell Watchman

As Sung By Judy Cook

Ring the Bell Watchman - verse G# Cho: F#
Henry Clay Work 1865

High in the belfry the old sexton stands
Grasping the rope with his thin, boney hands
Fixed is his gaze as by some magic spell
Til he hears the distant murmur, "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 tidings to tell
Glorious and blessed tidings! Ring, ring the bell!

Baring his long silver locks to 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! Ring!
Yes! Yes! The good news is now on the wing
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! Through the valleys 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 tidings to tell
Glorious and blessed tidings! Ring, ring the bell!

Bonfires are blazing, and rockets ascend
No meager triumph these tokens portent
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 tidings to tell
Glorious and blessed tidings! Ring, ring the bell!