Henry Formby: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Church-Bells

Henry Formby

“The Church-Bells” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Henry Formby: Collected Lyrics Text 5 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 2

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.

Verse 3

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.

Verse 4

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.

Verse 5

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:

Credits

Written by Henry Formby

Words by Henry Formby. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Church-Bells”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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