Lyrics / The Bell Ringer
The Bell Ringer
Every city holds an office
Down an alley with a single light
An old man sits there
Every Christmas night
Through his smile, the watches the door
For Men of broken dreams
Bearing up their doubt he sends them
Out to share our burdens
And with it bear the cold
A last chance, the only one left to them
Indifference aches on through them
But the man he knows the simple magic in that chime
Just like the thought of sleighs in flight
As they sail high against the winter night
They speed out on their way with the hope no dream is ever lost
It's like their answering every childhood prayer
The ones just for themselves, the ones they've no strength to share
This chime, it calls out loud
This chime, you know it is their song
So listen, to the invitation
The bell man's at his station
Despite his fragile heart
Do you hear him, soft words tell his story
Not for gain or glory,
Just to fill a pot, with coins like faith he thought he'd lost
And the chime it beats out strong
From a hand that wants to know
If there are any left who hear its song
Up and down the boulevard
On most any street
Winter bells return your memories
Let the echo of those chimes
Ring forward now
And find you in their simple sharing grace
Hope in Coin
She sees him standing there
Inviting her to sacrifice
A coin that means a little more
To one who has no coin to share
His tired eyes all worn with care
But her choices have left her bare
Can she find
A lone coin
She can spare
Winter's chill is biting and it's fright'ning
As the crowd goes by
She wonders if tomorrow
There'll be snowy skies
Her coat thread-bare
It's Heaven's dare
The bell ringer's eyes they patiently wait
No judgment there, like one accepting his fate
He shakes his head, letting her know
It's too much to ask, of one whose fallen so low
Who is this man, seeing her pain
Doesn't he ring his bell for gain?
And then she knows, if she can find
A single coin to answer his chime
The heart it might change isn't out of her sight
It's standing right here on this winter's night
And so she stands firm, and gives him a nod
Tonight she will be the face of God
'Cause she believes that one more coin will help
To give a man a little hope
And she has strength so she will do without
The thing she thought she had to hold
She drops her coin then smiles to herself
And listens to the bell man ring
Reminding her what Christmas is about
The story of it ringing onward
His fateful chime
She heard this time
Cause she believes that one more coin will help
To give a man a little hope
And she has strength so she will do without
The thing she thought she had to hold
She drops her coin then smiles to herself
And listens to the bell man ring
Reminding her what Christmas is about
The story of it ringing onward
If You Haven’t Got a Penny /
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Christmas is coming
The world is moving fast
Please put a penny in the poor man’s hat
Christmas is coming
The world is moving fast
Please put a penny in the poor man’s hat
If you haven’t got a penny
A prayer for him will do
If you haven’t got a prayer for him
Then God bless you
The bell man
Heard of one
So he left his post
To find him
Begging
Out in the cold
“God rest ye merry gentlemen”
The man was heard to say
“Remember Christ our savior
Was born upon this day
To save all us all from selfishness
When we are caught in pain”
And he handed the bell man half his coins out of his hat
Then he raised a hand because he could not stand
Christmas is coming
The world is moving fast
Please put a penny in the poor man’s hat
If you haven’t got a penny
A prayer for him will do
If you haven’t got a prayer for him
Then God bless you
The poor man
Said goodbye
As the bell man took
His coat off
And thanked him
For the grace he’d shown
“God rest ye merry gentleman”
The bell man had to say
“You call to mind our savior
Whose born upon this day
To save all us all from selfishness
When we are caught in pain”
And he handed the poor man his best coat there in the cold
For no man he knew had ever stood so bold
Christmas Wishes (Here We Come A-Caroling)
Out in the streets
There’s a woman bold
Each year, with her friends, you’ll find
She sings an old song
That she hopes will stir
The better part of you and I
Here we come a-caroling,
Along the city streets
Here we come a-wandring
So fair to be seen
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas too
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year
God send you a Happy New Year
We are not daily beggars
That go from door to door
No, we are all your neighbors
Whom you have seen before
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas too
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year
God send you a Happy New Year
God bless the mister of your house
God bless the missus too
And all the little children
That round the table go
Love and joy come to you
And to you glad Christmas too
And God bless you and send you
A Happy New Year
God send you a Happy New Year
And when you have heard this old song she sings
Let it find that one place in your heart
Which hears at this time of year
Songs like hers, that speak to our better part
Seeing More
There I sat, deep inside of this room
Laying out what I could only assume
Was a pale meager showing for sure
A few coins and not so much more
Then the old man he says to me
There’s more here than you can see
These simple offerings
Mean everything
This first coin, was held tightly in hand
When its child knelt and prayed for his dad
And the next was a woman’s best find
Reminds her of a gentler time
And the last bears the year he came home
War was done, and this token he owed
See, it’s amazing to me
They would give these willingly
I’m hoping that you can see
The love here
Time
And hope
And love
Mean nothing until shared
No matter the cost
Take
A coin
And wish
That every heart will mend
That no one is lost
Find them
Remind them
I’m asking you to chime for them
You’ve got to look inside the coin to know their song
Then ring it out strong
See them
Believe them
I’m asking you to grieve with them
You’ve got to look inside the coin to know their song
Then ring it out strong
Then ring it out strong
Then ring it out strong
Please
Ring
It
Out
Strong
No Fairytales
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Cut holly dies
‘Tis the season to be jolly
When prices rise?
I was once a young child too
I believed all the lies
Now I’ve grown up to face the world
I rely on my rational mind
Heedless of the wind and weather
Are they insane?
I cannot sit by
While fairytales are handed out
To those who choose to disregard
The evidence
I won't be silenced
By the cheer
And the all the fruitless
Happiness
We need to ground ourselves in
Problems
And forget
Christmas!
You were once a young child too
Try to remember that night
Waiting a stranger to barge right in
My therapist calls it fight of flight
I am truth’s soldier
And I stand to stop the careless dreams
So, stand back with all your kind greetings
I won’t be fooled by your desire to help
I cannot sit by
While fairytales are handed out
To those who choose to disregard
The evidence
I won't be silenced
By the cheer
And the all the fruitless
Happiness
We need to ground ourselves in
Problems
And forget
Christmas!
Yes, Fairytales
Stars high in a winter sky
Dreams there, given life to fly
Small hands reaching up to try
To take hold of the wonder in their sight
Children they hear the bells and then
They lift a thousand earnest prayers
They hearts are just not bound
By world-worn cares
They can just believe
A man dressed in white and red
A snow man with a hat upon his head
A drum played, instead of gifts they said
A shepherd who seeks the one instead
But life it can dim the bells and even
Silence a thousand earnest prayers
And bind our hearts too much
To world-worn cares
Challenge our belief
And some when the sound is lost
They can’t imagine others holding fast
To something they themselves no longer trust
That’s where I step in
They can say no happy ending
They can say I’ve lost my right
They can criticize my neighbor
If they want to pick this fight
They can say that I am foolish
They can say I’m out of time
They can try to run me out
And call this fairytale a lie
I will stand up for the story
I will stand here in the cold
You will hear of my convictions
For every child who still needs hope
(SOLO)
They can laugh at ever after
They can turn a careless eye
The can mock our sacrifice
And say that Christmas is a lie
I will stand up for the story
I will stand here in the cold
You will hear of my convictions
For every child who still needs hope
(Add second voice and second harmony a third above the main vocal)
I will stand up for the story
I will stand here in the cold
You will hear of my convictions
For every child who still needs hope
(Add third voice and third harmony at a fifth above the main vocal)
I will stand up for the story
I will stand here in the cold
You will hear of my convictions
For every child who still needs hope
Make glad their childhood
Street Kid Part II
When night had come and he stood in the cold
The bell man could see those who make cold their home
No one should feel of indifference, be shunned
But the child who came now, had learned them far too young
His eyes held a question, why should he give
The streets were each day a fight just to live
What did a bell man know of it, a winter time clown
Then the bell man stopped ringing, and put his bell down
Buried in memory, he'd lived on the streets
He’d huddled near drain pipes, to savor their heat
It ached deep inside him, the scars of the road
He had nothing to give the kid, maybe lighten his load, sharing
When the hurt comes down and I can't breathe
I look to the sky
Where stars suggest that I believe
And I feel something inside,
Knowing these same stars are those that were seen
That First Christmas Eve
And I feel better about me
The kid stared back, his anger was gone.
The bell man could tell few did ever respond
The kid dug through his pockets searching for change
The bell man beat him to it, and unclasped the chain
His bucket’s lid he removed and invited the boy
To take what he needed
And remember star-filled skies
The kids eyes held questions, how could he take
The money being offered was for all of their sakes
What did he know about it, just a kid from the street
But the bell man said nothing more, and sank from his feet
He sat on the ground there, right down in the snow
Too tired to stand more, and nowhere to go
Of his bell he'd grown weary, it was taking a toll
A moment, a step, and the street kid bent low, saying
When the hurt comes down and I can't breathe
I look to the sky
Where stars suggest that I believe
And I feel something inside, knowing these
Same stars are those that were seen on that first Christmas Eve
And I feel better about me
His eyes held a question, would the bell man stand up
Were words and some memories going to be quite enough
Kids like him needed bell men like this
Who came for the one, and left all the rest
The man raised a hand, and together they stood
The kid threw his change in, and pulled up his hood
As he disappeared back into the cold
The bell man kept ringing into every silence old
A Young Mother's Wish
Please, mister, please
She said as he entered the office to shake off the cold
Her child was ill
And her child's one wish
Was relief for her mother from her constant fear
But this mother
Her guilt was the fear that her daughter could see
When she looked in her eyes
So, please, mister please
Take it away
I know you’re a man in a costume just ringing a bell
But this Christmas Eve
Even illusion might offer it's spell
So, he followed
Through streets narrow and cobbled
To their humble home
The child brightened
To see the bell ringer come visit her on this
The night of all nights
And he listened
To stories and memories that made them a family
With courage to fight
He prayed, please Christmas, please
Take it away
I'm merely a man in a costume just ringing a bell
On this Christmas Eve
They need more than I have to offer to grant the child health
Grant the child health
Then the child spoke
She told him his fear was the same as her mother's
Kind but in vain
For Christmas had answered her sorrow
And filled her with gladness for moments like these
No illness had power to take the back the promise
His costume was meant to convey
So please, mister, please
Take it away
You are a man in a costume
And you play it well
On this Christmas Eve
Others will need you to ring out your bell!
Ring on!
She sang, Ring on!
Ring on!
She sang, Ring on!
A Young Girl’s Wish
The child she brightened
When in came the bell man
To spend a few moments Christmas Eve
The Child was ill, and never left her home
He asked what she wanted
For that Christmas morning
“Please give my parents strength to
Smile and help me trust Christmas
Share all the love that our family can
Ride with me memories past
Tell the
Stories that I like the best
Take the
Time for the smallest of cares
Find the
Light in this Christmas we share
She sat there waiting
Her hope life changing
What was it
She could see
In this night
Christmas dreams
Quietly
Patiently
Wondering
Faithfully
She was a child
But her heart
Knew a song
That rang out
In the night
When our eyes
Are turned up
To the sky
Smile and help me trust Christmas
Share all the love that our family can
Ride with me memories past
Tell the
Stories that I like the best
Take the
Time for the smallest of cares
Find the
Light in this Christmas we share
What Child Is This
Late night
Rare sight
A bell man comes to my door
Says close by
A child lies
Her parents kneel to implore
He says the child has none with which to pay
She stands in need of mercy, and I have power to say
He’s come here now to stand in for her debt
In his tired eyes I can see an old regret
His face was worn and tired
Been so long since he’s inspired
And this child he’s come to say
Has helped him to see
There is a night
Bearing the light
Silence falls around us
Just like that distant Christmas
I have no way to pay for
The child to stay
Then he sits down
Finds the right words to say
Take my last coin
Then ask yourself
Could I have turned
The child away
On this night
What child is this?
He reached across my desk
Placed his penny in my hand
Found a smile on his face
That was rarely seen
Smiling bright
Sharing his light
Laughter falls around us
The joy of merry Christmas
And there in hand I find I’ve
A ransom paid
All of my life
I’ll treasure the words that he said
Take my last coin
Then ask yourself
Could I have turned
The child away
Take my last coin
Then ask yourself
Could I have turned
The child away
Every Doubt Has an Answer
A peaceful night
Doubt in his mind
He might have had
Enough
How many times
Could he rewind
And build himself
Back up
What good a prayer
When no one's there
To share
To care
So he returned
Back to his place
Where a bell man does his time
And coming near
At this time of year
Another traveler he did find
She was a friend
From way back when
Gone these years back to her grace
She looked at him,
A beautiful grin
And told him, doubt has no place
But if it came,
Just recall her face
And trust this night's embrace
She had found the peace she sought
For every doubt her heart had wrought
By holding on to the simple thought
That one small child her promise bought
He stared away
His hand ashake
It caused a ringing in his chime
His little bell,
A lonesome knell
That seemed to call the tired home
What good was he
This Christmas eve
Doubt-filled and all alone
She felt his pain
So took his hand
And filled him with memories
Then looked at him,
That beautiful grin
Said I love you, now listen to me
There are in this night
So many stories being told, now
We must do our part, and try to help them
Doubt gets in the way
When men reach out
To those who need them
Put your doubt away
And trust the story of Christmas
There are in this night
So many stories being told, now
We must do our part, and try to help them
Doubt gets in the way
When men reach out
To those who need them
Put your doubt away
And trust the story of Christmas
Christmas Suite
(Female Part)
Dancing shoes high on a shelf
My yesterday is gone
But on this night
The girl inside
Dreams on
(Male Part)
She gave me
The strength to stand
Least I can do
Is give to this good woman a dance
(Male Part)
Please just take my hand
And let me show you that same strength and tenderness
(Female Part)
I believed this night
Could then restore all that had been lost
(Female Part x2)
Dancing shoes high on a shelf
My yesterday is gone
But on this night
The girl inside
Dreams on
(Male joins second time through chorus)
She gave me
The strength to stand
Least I could do
Was give to this good woman a dance
Understanding
The bell man stood at his post 'neath Christmas snow
There came a man upon him
His hands were hanging low
Like other men who come back from fighting war
He came broken
Needing on wish more
He paused, staring at the man
They shared a moment, only soldiers can
He asked the bell man, did he think his chime
Could do something for a soldier, running out of time
See, he did not believe that peace could come again
He'd seen too much already to have good will for men
The bell man's silence, might have seemed a right response
The soldier turned to leave him, when the bell man rang his song
Into that midnight, he chose the only words
One soldier to another, something he had heard . . .
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men
And the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
In my heart I hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men
But the bells are ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir singing (peace on earth)
Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men
Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men
And the bells they're ringing (peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth)
And with our hearts we'll hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Do you hear the bells they're ringing? (peace on earth)
The life the angels singing (peace on earth)
Open up your heart and hear them (peace on earth)
Peace on earth, good will to men
Peace on earth, peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men
The soldier stood there, a reverence in his eyes
A peace they shared between them, they'd marked it with their lives
He'd heard an answer while standing in the snow
And for the world the bell man saw his hands hung not so low
He raised a hand, said he had to go
And left him standing there, but the bell man he did know
That the old man knew his business, knew the place and time
To send him out, help him recall, the power of his chime
And for the soldier, who'd surely passed others of his kind
On this night, the bell man, had been there for him to find . . .
My Silent Night
It was Christmas Eve, he was alone
Everyone had found there home
The bell man, stood a silent darkened street
You might have thought, he'd feel some pain
Some loneliness, that he'd complain
Instead, he thought that finally he could see
He'd helped some people on their way
Kept a promise, seen some strength
It mattered not he had no place to be
For him, home now meant something more
A peace he’d never known before
He'd found that gentle silence in the night
And sometime deep inside that night
The old man came and stood beside
For a while, they just watched the snow fall down
When the bell man asked, just who he was
The old man smiled, and nodded once
As though the night had answered well enough
A moment more, then he was gone
The bell man left to carry on
Keeping watch as the all the world fell still
Gift of Self
The bell ringer stood as Christmas drew nigh
At peace in the silence and cold
Somewhere out there, a church bell it rang
A midnight tone he now understood well
It hadn't echoed its last, when a new music came
Footsteps arriving through the snow
One, then another, the stories returned
Each inviting him back to their home
Hear the bells, this Christmas Eve
They are every life, a music worth the listening
The bell ringer hadn't a thing to give
He was just willing to stand in the cold
And hear every story of suffering
And offer the best self he knows
Hear the tales, this Christmas Eve
They are every song, their stories worth the rendering
Father, Christmas shares a message
Asks us all to ring out a chime
Hear the sound of Christmas bells
They ask for us to try
Good King Wenceslaus went down
When someone's heart need lifting it's not ours
To wonder why
Listen to the invitation,
Then ask them, "How high?"
Give of yourself to help
A soldier
A mother
A child on the street
You can give of yourself to help
A neighbor
A sister
A brother that you've never met
The best you have
Is the care that you can give
The best you have
Hear the sound of Christmas bells
They ring out in the sky
All our finest gifts we bring
They call on us to lend a hand
To every broken life
And your own story may be
Heard when bell men ring their chime
Give of yourself to help
A soldier
A mother
A child on the street
You can give of yourself to help
A neighbor
A sister
A brother that you've never
We can be bell ringers
Give of the best of ourselves