The Old Church Hymns and Bells

Transcript

The old church bells were ringing on a cold December air, And as the people gathered within the house of prayer, An old man sad and weary stood outside an old oak door, Wondering if they'd welcome one so old and poor. And as he slowly entered to rest his weary feet, The choir started singing in songs so soft and sweet, Offered with me the quiet thanks of the Lord, Bringing back memories of the long ago, The rose and the golden,

he listened to the hymn, And he wondered if there'd be a touch in that golden crown for him. A faint light shone upon the sea where sat that man so gray, His heart went out to each fold which rose and died away. And as the preacher taught them God's will, his voice so deep, From cold and hunger weary at last he fell asleep.

And when the sermon ended they called on him in vain, For his weary soul had wandered where in peace it would remain. Offered with me the quiet thanks of the Lord, Bringing back memories of the long ago, The rose and the golden, he listened to the hymn, And he wondered if there'd be a touch in that golden crown for him.

Transcribed by AI from the recording above. These are noisy hundred-year-old cylinders, so expect misheard words and the occasional invented line — trust your ears over the text.