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A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Descriptive Songs/The Church-Bells

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17. The Church-Bells.

THE MATIN BELL.

Pealing from the grey Church-tower,
Hark, hark! the Matin Bell
Slowly chimes the midnight hour:
Hark, hark! the Matin Bell.
Now the time of rest is o'er,
Now the friars in the choir
Soon must sing the Matin Hour:
Bim, bome, the Matin Bell.

THE SANCTUS BELL.

Ringing from the Church-tower grey,
Hark, hark! the Sanctus Bell
Ushers in morn's early ray:
Hark, hark! the Sanctus Bell.
Fresh and rosy dawns the day;
Watchman, to thy rest away;
Faithful soul, awake and pray:
Bim, bome, the Sanctus Bell.

THE PASSING BELL.

Swinging from the Church-tower grey,
Sadly tolls the Passing Bell:
One more soul hath sped her way:
Bim, bome, the Passing Bell.
From this world's poor pageantry,
Lord, thou call'st a soul to Thee;
Grant her rest eternally:
Bim, bome, the Passing Bell.

THE VESPER BELL.

Stealing from the grey Church-tower,
Sweetly chimes the Vesper Bell.
Soft it tells the evening hour:
Hark, hark! the Vesper Bell.
From the spirit's silent wear,
From the day's turmoil and care,
Hark! it calls to song and prayer:
Bim, bome, the Vesper Bell.

THE CURFEW BELL.

Rolling from the grey Church-tower.
Hark, hark! the Curfew Bell.
Sad it tells that day is o'er:
Hark, hark! the Curfew Bell.
Curfew Bell! I hear thee say,
Thus I ring the knell of day,
Mortal, here thou may'st not stay:

Bim, bome, the Curfew Bell.  H. F.