Manners and customs; Rites and ceremonies -- Great Britain
A Coventry bell, dated 1675, says--
I ring at six to let men know
When too and fro their worke to goe.
Patriotic expressions are common; among such is Brusford,
Come let us ring
For Church and King.
And Hurstpierpoint,
Ye people all who hear us ring
Be faithful to your God and King.
Sometimes a whole set of bells bore inscriptions which may be read
continuously. An instance is at S. Mary's, Ticehurst, where the bells
have--
1. I am she that leads the van,
Then follow me now if you can.
2. Then I speak next, I can you tell,
So give me rope and ring me well.
3. Now I am third, as I suppose,
Mark well now time and fourth close.
4. As I am fourth, I will explain
If you'll keep time you'll credit gain.
5. Now I am fifth, as I suppose,
Then ring me well and tenor close.
6. This is to show for ages yet to come
That by subscription we were cast and hung
And Edward Lulham is his name
That was the actor of the same.
Northfield bells, Worcestershire, give an account of the contest in the
vestry-room which led to the completion of the peal--
1. Though once but five we now are six.
2. And 'gainst our casting some did strive.
3. But when a day of meeting there was fixed.
4. Appeared nine 'gainst twenty-six.
5. It was Wm. Kettle that did contrive
To make us six that were but five.
Another bell bears the date and churchwardens' names. At Coventry on a
peal of bells, cast in 1774, are the following inscriptions--
1. Though I am but light and small
I will be heard above you all.
2. If you have a judicious ear
You will own my voice both sweet and clear.
3. Such wondrous power to music given,
It elevates the soul to heaven.
4. Whilst thus we join in cheerful sound,
May love and loyalty abound.
5. To honour both God and King
Our voices shall in concert ring.
6. Music is medicine to the mind.
7. Ye ringers all that prize
Your health and happiness,
Be sober, merry, wise,
And you'll the same possess.
8. Ye people all who hear me ring
Be faithful to your God and King.
9. In wedlock's bands all ye who join
With hands your hearts unite:
So shall our tuneful tongues combine
To laud the nuptial rite.
10. I am and have been called the common bell
To ring when fire breaks out to tell.
On the bells of S. Peter's, Nottingham, the appended lines appear:--
Our voices shall with joyful sound
Make hills and valleys echo round.
We celebrate th' auspicious morn
On which the Son of God was born.
Our voices shall in concert ring
To honour God and King.
The bride and groom we greet in holy wedlock join'd,
Our sounds are emblems of hearts in love combined.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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