Scripture Verse

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

Words: Ano­ny­mous, in Car­mi­na for the Sun­day School, by Lew­is W. Mudge & Her­bert B. Tur­ner (New York: A. S. Barnes, 1894), num­ber 66.

Music: J. J. At­ack (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know At­ack’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Ring, ring the bells, the joyful bells,
This merry Christ­mas morn;
Their sweet, melodious music tells
The day that Christ was born.
Sweetly they sound o’er vale and glen;
Hark! how their music swells
With Peace on earth, good will to men!
O merry Christ­mas bells!

Refrain

Ring, ring the bells, the joyful bells,
The bells, the merry, merry Christ­mas bells,
Ring, ring the merry Christ­mas bells.

Ring, ring the bells, the Christ­mas bells,
For in their joyous chime
Once more on earth the chorus swells
Of angel song sublime.
The sweet old story, ever new,
Falls on the heart again,
Refreshing as the early dew,
Or the soft summer rain.

Refrain

Ring, ring the bells, the Christ­mas bells,
Prophetic of the day
When He of whom their music tells
Shall all the nations sway;
Shall bless and fill and rule each heart,
Shall bid all sorrows cease,
And give His own the better part
Of ev­er­last­ing peace.

Refrain