Heard at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites, on Requests Page 11. A banjo waltz-story.

~S~

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THE BELL IN THE STEEPLE
As sung by Rex Allen

The bell in the steeple is ringin' out loud;
The people are comin', there'll soon be a crowd.
The church doors are open, we'll all find a pew,
The bell in the steeple is ringin' for you.

Ship on the ocean had broken in two;
The fog hid the shoreline from everyone's view.
The women and children were lashed by each wave;
The lifeboats were crowded-- all faces were grave.

"No hope," said the voice of our Captain to me.
"But why must these children drown in the sea?"
Then the voice of our Captain said, "Be not afraid."
So, bravely, they paddled, and silently prayed.

A miracle happened that cold, stormy night:
A star lit the heavens with wonderful light.
Faint through the thunderous, perilous storm
The bell in the steeple rang out clear and warm.

So, wet and bedraggled, they stood on the shore,
Chilled by the sound of the storm's mighty roar.
They gathered together-- these, God-fearing people,
They walked toward the sound of the bell in the steeple.

The bell in the steeple is ringin' out loud;
The people are comin', there'll soon be a crowd.
The church doors are open, we'll all find a pew,
The bell in the steeple is ringin' for you.
The bell in the steeple is ringin' for you.


SH

@country
@gospel