Not a folk song, but the words and music to this song can be found in Old Scotch Gems and Other Favourite Songs (Glasgow: David Bryce & Son, 1906), page 1:


THE BELL-RINGER
Words, John Oxenford. Music, W. Vincent Wallace.

1. I set the bell a-ringing
When the bride to the altar was led,
And I loved to hear it swinging
So merrily over my head.
The children flung gay garlands round,
While I sent forth the jocund sound,
Then many tears were shed, but yet
The young lip smiled while the cheek was wet.
"Ah! me, ah! me, ah! me," a song of joy and hope,
Was heard afar as I pulled my rope, as I pulled my rope.

2. I set the bell a-ringing
When the bride to the churchyard was borne,
And the dismal notes went rolling
To tell of a heart forlorn.
The wond'ring children stood aghast
As sable mourners by them passed.
"And she is gone so fair, so young,"
Thus loud lamented the iron tongue.
"Ah! me, ah! me, ah! me," a song of perished hope,
Was heard afar as I pulled my rope, as I pulled my rope.

3. I set the bell a-ringing
When in shadow is buried the day,
And a wondrous spell is stealing
O'er the hearts of the grave and gay.
The aged hear the fun'ral chime
Of slowly, surely dying time.
The youthful hear a cheering strain
That tells them day will revive again.
"Ah! me, ah! me, ah! me," a song of grief and hope
Is heard afar as I pull my rope.
A song of grief and hope
Is heard afar as I pull my rope.