Ring Ling a Ling. Carol of the Bells.
It isn’t easy to work Hark! into conversations much anymore. Another grand English word assigned to the Cold Cases filebox and stashed in a warehouse. I am vexed by the loss to our collective vocabulary.
‘Tis the season for reviving such things as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Angels on High. Hark!
Unfortunately, most of us sing along with lyrics Give a, Give a, Give a, Give a Garmin! foregoing the politically incorrect Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas! (In fact, Google the phrase ‘Give a Garmin’ to read how many younger Americans do not realize the song was first a Christmas Carol!)
It is hard to read the lyrics of that exquisite song without hearing the underlying chimes:
Carol Of The Bells
Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
Throw cares away.
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the boldDing, dong, ding, dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling
One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev’rywhere
Filling the airOh how they pound,
Raising the sound,
O’er hill and dale,
Telling their tale,
Gaily they ring
While people sing
Songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry Christmas, all!
Our store will reopen Monday. Harken my word!
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