The Service of Praise ‎#152

152. The Message of the Bells

1 I heard the bells, they seemed to say,
We ring! Ring! Ring!
We’re pealing out a cheerful lay,
We ring! Ring! Ring!
Re-echo what the angels say,
To tell how on that blessed day,
In David’s city far away,
Was born the King.

Refrain:
The glad bells ring, their voices tell
To nations far and wide,
Of happy Christmas-tide.
The glad bells ring, the tidings swell,
They ring! They ring! They ring!

2 One bell proclaimed, “I ring aloud,”
And tell! Tell! Tell!
The news to nations of the earth,
And swell! Swell! Swell!
That Mary’s holy child is Lord,
To all the earth, the sun of God,
Foretold within the holy word—
"Emanuel." [Refrain]

3 Another rang in accents clear,
I bring! Bring! Bring!
To send the echoes far and near,
I sing! Sing! Sing!
Good news to all,— O do not fear,
For Christ the promised One is here,
The downcast hearts of men to cheer—
His praises sing. [Refrain]

4 Then all the bells that Christmas day,
To tell! Tell! Tell!
In tones of perfect harmony
Rang loud and clear,
And from the steeples old and gray,
In chorus grand they seem’d to say,
We hail the newborn King this day,
The Christ is here. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: I heard the bells, they seemed to say
• Title: The Message of the Bells
• Author: Rev. Frank E. Graeff
• Refrain First Line: The glad bells ring, their voices tell
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1900

Tune Information

• Name: [I heard the bells, they seemed to say]
• Composer: J. Lincoln Hall