The Three Bells
Edith Piaf & Les Compagnons De La Chanson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a village hidden deep in the valley,
Among the pine trees half forlorn,
And there on a sunny morning
Little Jimmy Brown was born;
So his parents brought him to the chapel,
When he was only one day old,
And the priest blessed the little fellow,
"Welcome, Jimmy to the fold".

REFRAIN:
All the chapel bells were ringing
In the little valley town,
And the song that they were singing,
Was for baby Jimmy Brown.
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,
Bless this hour of meditation,
Guide him with eternal love.

There's a village hidden deep in the valley,
Beneath the mountains high above,
And there, twenty years thereafter,
Jimmy was to meet his love.
Many friends were gathered in the chapel,
And many tears of joy were shed,
In June on a Sunday morning,
When Jimmy and his bride were wed:

REFRAIN:
All the chapel bells were ringing,
't was a great day in his life,
'Cause the song that they were singing
was for Jimmy and his wife.
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,
Bless, Oh Lord, this celebration,
May their lives be filled with love.

From the village hidden deep in the valley,
One rainy morning dark and grey,
A soul winged its way to heaven,
jimmy Brown had passed away.
Silent people gathered in the chapel,
To say farewell to their old friend,
Whose life had been like a flower,
Budding blooming till the end.

REFRAIN:
Just a lonely bell was ringing
In the little valley town,
'Twas farewell that it was singing
To our good old Jimmy Brown.
And the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above,
"Lead us not into temptation,




May his soul find the Salvation
Of Thy great eternal love.

Overall Meaning

"The Three Bells" tells the story of Jimmy Brown's life from birth to death, intertwined with the significance of the chapel bells that rang throughout key moments in his journey. The lyrics evoke a sense of a close-knit community centered around the village chapel, where important events and prayers take place.


In the first stanza, we learn about Jimmy Brown's birth and his family's visit to the chapel to receive the priest's blessings. The chapel bells ring, symbolizing the joy and celebration of his arrival into the world. The congregation prays for guidance and protection for little Jimmy as he embarks on his life journey.


The second stanza fast-forwards twenty years, where Jimmy is about to get married. The chapel once again becomes the gathering place, filled with friends and loved ones. The bells ring to commemorate the special occasion, singing the song of love and unity for Jimmy and his bride. The congregation prays for their happiness and asks for divine guidance in their lives.


The final stanza takes a somber turn, as it reveals Jimmy's passing. People gather in the chapel to bid farewell to their dear friend. The melancholic sound of a single bell tolling signifies a farewell to Jimmy as he ascends to heaven. The congregation prays for his soul's salvation, acknowledging the fragility and transience of life and seeking eternal love and guidance.


Overall, "The Three Bells" portrays the cycle of life - from birth, to love and marriage, to death - all within the context of a tight-knit community united by their shared faith.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a village hidden deep in the valley
In a secluded and secluded valley lies a small village


Among the pine trees half forlorn
Surrounded by melancholic pine trees


And there on a sunny morning
On a bright and cheerful morning


Little Jimmy Brown was born
A baby named Jimmy Brown came into the world


So his parents brought him to the chapel
His parents took him to the chapel


When he was only one day old
When he was just a day old


And the priest blessed the little fellow
The priest bestowed his blessings upon the newborn


"Welcome, Jimmy to the fold"
"Welcome, Jimmy, to our community"


All the chapel bells were ringing
The joyful sound of the chapel bells filled the air


In the little valley town
Within the small town nestled in the valley


And the song that they were singing
"The Three Bells" was the song being sung


Was for baby Jimmy Brown
It was dedicated to the newborn Jimmy Brown


Then the little congregation
The small group of worshippers


Prayed for guidance from above
They sought divine guidance and protection


"Lead us not into temptation
"Guide us away from temptation


Bless this hour of meditation
Bless this moment of reflection


Guide him with eternal love"
Guide him with everlasting love"


There's a village hidden deep in the valley
Again, referencing the secluded village


Beneath the mountains high above
Located beneath towering mountains


And there, twenty years thereafter
And there, twenty years later


Jimmy was to meet his love
Jimmy was destined to meet his soulmate


Many friends were gathered in the chapel
Numerous friends were assembled in the chapel


And many tears of joy were shed
Tears of happiness flowed freely


In June on a Sunday morning
On a Sunday morning in the month of June


When Jimmy and his bride were wed
When Jimmy and his bride were joined in marriage


All the chapel bells were ringing
Once again, the chapel bells rang


't was a great day in his life
It was a truly momentous day in his life


'Cause the song that they were singing
Because the song being sung


Was for Jimmy and his wife
Was dedicated to Jimmy and his wife


Then the little congregation
Once more, the small congregation


Prayed for guidance from above
They solicited divine guidance


"Lead us not into temptation
"Protect us from temptation


Bless, Oh Lord, this celebration
Bless this joyful occasion, Oh Lord


May their lives be filled with love"
May their lives be brimming with love"


From the village hidden deep in the valley
Once again, referencing the secluded village


One rainy morning dark and grey
On a gloomy, rainy morning


A soul winged its way to heaven
A soul ascended to heaven


Jimmy Brown had passed away
Jimmy Brown had departed from this world


Silent people gathered in the chapel
Quiet individuals assembled in the chapel


To say farewell to their old friend
To bid their old friend goodbye


Whose life had been like a flower
Whose life had blossomed like a flower


Budding blooming till the end
Flourishing and blossoming till the very end


Just a lonely bell was ringing
Only a solitary bell tolled


In the little valley town
Within the small town nestled in the valley


'Twas farewell that it was singing
It was bidding farewell through its tolling


To our good old Jimmy Brown
To our beloved old friend Jimmy Brown


And the little congregation
Once more, the small congregation


Prayed for guidance from above
They offered prayers for divine guidance


"Lead us not into temptation
"Safeguard us from temptation


May his soul find the Salvation
May his soul find eternal salvation


Of Thy great eternal love"
Through Your immense everlasting love"




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, LES NOUVELLES EDITIONS MERIDIAN
Written by: BERT REISFELD, JEAN VILLARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@user-nz1xr8ij7s

On ne trouve plus des chanteurs comme ça j ai 72ans et j écoute pas les chanteurs de maintenant

@heitzmannpatrice4315

Merde!! IL y 50 ans que je ne les avais plus entendu j'ai 70 balais aujourd'hui et vla que je me met à pleurer!!

@huguesdamez

C’était un autre monde, les belles chansons, les êtres humains étaient des anges comparés à ceux d’aujourd'hui

@user-iz2fd4vj2s

Ce sont des souvenirs qui me remontent je le fais de bon cœur venant de perdre ma maman qui adorait cette chanson

@arcticwolf4029

Bravo pour mettre de tels chanteurs en ligne et permettre aux jeunes générations de les connaître à leur tour. Leur talent est immortel.

@cinead4929

c'est vrai, c'est une chance de pouvoir connaître des artistes comme ceux là qui font honneur à notre beau pays🇫🇷

@mariefrancewagner2270

Ce fut un immense succès .

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@nadiamoy2133

C'est émouvant d'entendre cette chanson et de retrouver ces artistes je vais avoir 8o ans et c'est toute ma jeunesse merci 🎇💞🐦🐇🕊😻💞🎇

@fds1805

@@nadiamoy2133 C'est toute ma jeunesse aussi. Ma mère repassait le mercredi après-midi en écoutant son émission favorite "Souvenir, souvenir" à la radio. Des chansons qui racontaient une histoire, souvent triste. Et on s'épongeait les yeux à qui mieux mieux. Le bon temps.

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