The Three Bells

[tucsondave]

"The Three Bells"

https://app.box.com/s/xb2tt8qzh4icrc80j654umelo8ob731w

The song is an English adaptation of the French language song "Les Trois Cloches" written by Jean Villard. The song narrates the life of someone named Jean-François Nicot who lived in a small village at the bottom a valley, starting with his birth, then his marriage and ending with his death, events all accompanied by ringing of the bells.

These are the original English lyrics, not the shortened ones as sung by The Browns.

There's a village hidden deep in the valley, among the pine trees half forlorn
And there on a Sunny morning, little Jimmy Brown was born.
So his parents brought him to the chapel when he was only one day old,
And the priest blessed the little fellow, "Welcome Jimmy to the fold."

All the chapel bells were ringing in the little valley town
And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown.
Then the little congregation prayed for guidance from above
"Lead us not into temptation, bless this hour of meditation, guide him with eternal love"

There's a village hidden deep in the valley beneath the mountains high above
And there, twenty years thereafter, Jimmy was to meet his love.
Many friends were gathered in the chapel, and many tears of joy were shed,
In June on a Sunday Morning, when Jimmy and his bride were wed.

All the chapel bells were ringing, 'twas a great day in his life
'Cause the song that they were singing, was for Jimmy and his wife.
Then the little congregation prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation, bless oh Lord, this celebration, may their lives be filled with love"

From the village hidden deep in the valley one rainy morning dark and gray
A soul winged its way to heaven jimmy Brown had passed away.
Silent people gathered in the chapel to say farewell to their old friend,
Whose life had been like a flower, budding, blooming till the end.

Just a lonely bell was ringing in the little valley town
'Twas farewell that it was singing to our good old Jimmy Brown.
And the little congregation prayed for guidance from above
"Lead us not into temptation, may his soul find the salvation, of thy great eternal love"

[kens]

Takes me back to when I was young and soppy. Brought tears to my old eyes. Thanks Ken S.

[JohnT]

Hi Dave. Didn’t recognise it from the title. Remember singing it many many many years ago. Remembered lots of the words. Liked your arrangement and sounds particularly the voice at the end. Enjoyed my listen. John

[Jon D]

Hello there Dave,
You played that number very well I enjoyed listening my friend.

Jon D.

[dentyr]

Really enjoyed listening to that. very nice performance. Have always liked the song although it always brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for posting. Regards, Den.