Ring out ye bells of 'Michael and all Angels'
Incense and beeswax , musk and lilies white
Bright leaf of gold the reredos adorning
And hand-carved doves now caught in perfect flight

The cross of gold and white cloth neatly draped round
With fleures de lis and knotted rosebuds traced
By faithful seamstress, ere her prayer ascended
Cloth where the royal wine and host are placed

Awaken souls; your gracious Lord is waiting
Take coat, hat, gloves and grab your walking cane
Fair ladies come now, don your finest fabrics
You have a reputation to maintain

Forget not now your Bible or your children
Your cab with patient horse and driver waits
From here t'will whisk you up the cobbled roadway
There, prayers and intercessions for to make

Giles, put away that slingshot in your pocket
And place your shiny penny on the plate
Remember all the lepers and black children
Come haste now, else for lunch we’ll all be late

Oh ring out bells of 'Michael and all Angels'
And welcome those who come by, cold and wet
They’ve walked a mile with shoe soles low on leather
Their pride they left inside the factory gate

From dawn 'til dusk they labour for a living
Their earthly master rules with rod of steel
Does Jesus really love all little children
Rich, poor, black or white and in between?

Ring out ye bells of 'Michael and all Angels'
Aurelia, St. Cecilia, Praise my Soul**
Strains of Howells,Wood and Stanford now are fading
Only incense, doves and candles now ...and 'home'

**names of melodies to which hymns are sung, not hymns themselves

06/25/2002

Posted on 06/25/2002
Copyright © 2024 Anne Howe