The Bells Of St. Mary's
Bing Crosby John Scott Trotter And His Orchestra Lyrics


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The Bells of St. Mary's
Ah, hear they are calling
The young loves, the true loves
Who come from the sea

And so my beloved
When red leaves are falling
The love bells shall ring out, ring out
For you and me

The Bells of St. Mary's
Ah, hear they are calling
The young loves, the true loves
Who come from the sea

And so my beloved
When red leaves are falling




The love bells shall ring out, ring out
For you and me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Bells of St. Mary's" depict a romantic scene where the bells of St. Mary's church are calling out to young and true loves who come from the sea. The persona (most likely a man) speaks to his beloved, promising that the love bells shall ring out when red leaves fall, a symbol of autumn and possibly a foreshadowing of the end of life. This simple yet powerful image conveys the depth of the persona's love, which can withstand the test of time and even death.


The lyrics also suggest a spiritual aspect, as St. Mary's is a church and the bells can be interpreted as a call to prayer or a symbol of divine guidance. The use of bells in religious contexts dates back to ancient times, with different cultures using them for various purposes such as marking time or warding off evil spirits. In the Christian tradition, bells are often rung during church services and other holy occasions, creating an atmosphere of reverence and celebration.


Overall, "The Bells of St. Mary's" is a timeless love song that touches on the themes of faith, eternity, and devotion. It has been covered by numerous artists and remains a beloved classic to this day.


Line by Line Meaning

Ah, hear they are calling
The bells of St. Mary's are ringing out a call to those who are meant to hear it


The young loves, the true loves
The love that is pure and genuine, found in the hearts of the youthful


Who come from the sea
Those who have journeyed far and wide, seeking to find their true love as if across an ocean


And so my beloved
My dearest love, whom I cherish above all else


When red leaves are falling
In the autumn, when the leaves turn red and fall from the trees


The love bells shall ring out, ring out
The bells of St. Mary's will peal joyously, announcing our commitment to one another


For you and me
Our love will be celebrated, and forever remembered through the sound of the enduring bells




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: A. EMMETT ADAMS, DOUGLAS FURBER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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