Bells play a part in our lives and have been a part of many stories and songs written over the years. Think of the bells we hear frequently or know about--class dismissal bells, church bells, Salvation Army bells, alarm bells, bells to call servants, sleigh bells, horse harness bells, the Liberty Bell, appliance bells, church bell choirs, and more. We associate certain bells with times in our lives and what they mean to us.
Writers use bells, too, They help add sensory detail to our writing. We see and hear them and touch them. We note different tones in bells from the tinkle of tiny bells to the sonorous boom of the huge bells in church towers. They can also help a writer show a sense of place or time. Consider what the bells outside on a cold night might feel like.
Look at the poem below written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the Civil War after he had received bad news about his soldier son. I have highlighted all the words that deal with the sound of the bells.
Christmas Bells (later the song I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day)
I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till 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! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of 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!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."
Consider the many songs with 'bells' in the titles--Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock and more. If you would like to see a list of 50 songs using 'bells' in the title, check here. A simple thing--bells--but look at how often they have been featured by writers and poets and lyricists.
Christmas Bells (later the song I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day)
I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till 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! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of 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!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."
Consider the many songs with 'bells' in the titles--Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock and more. If you would like to see a list of 50 songs using 'bells' in the title, check here. A simple thing--bells--but look at how often they have been featured by writers and poets and lyricists.
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