In summertime on Bredon

In summertime on Bredon

The bells they sound so clear;

Round both the shires they ring them

In steeples far and near

A happy noise to hear

Here of a Sunday morning

My love and I would lie

And see the coloured counties

And hear the larks so high

About us in the sky

The bells would ring to call her

In valleys miles away;

"Come all to church, good people;

Good people come and pray."

But here my love would stay

And I would turn and answer

Among the springing thyme

"Oh, peal upon our wedding

And we will hear the chime

And come to church in time."

But when the snows at Christmas

On Bredon top were strown

My love rose up so early

And stole out unbeknown

And went to church alone

They tolled the one bell only

Groom there was none to see

The mourners followed after

And so to church went she

And would not wait for me

The bells they sound on Bredon

And still the steeples hum

"Come all to church, good people." -

O noisy bells, be dumb;

I hear you, I will come