Ring Them Bells
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
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Ring them bells from the sanctuaries cross the valleys and streams
For they're deep and they're wide and the world's on its side
And time is running backwards and so is the bride
Ring them bells St. Peter where the four winds blow
Ring them bells with an iron hand, so the people will know
Oh, it's rush hour now on the wheel and the plow
Ring them bells Sweet Martha for the poor man's son
Ring them bells so the world will know that God is one
Oh, the shepherd is asleep where the willows weep
And the mountains are filled with lost sheep
Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf
Ring them bells for all of us who are left
Ring them bells for the chosen few
Who will judge the many when the game is through
Ring them bells for the time that flies
For the child that cries when innocence dies
Ring them bells St. Catherine from the top of the room
Ring them from the fortress for the lilies that bloom
Oh, the lines are long and the fighting is strong
And they're breaking down the distance between right and wrong
The song "Ring Them Bells" by Sufjan Stevens is a call to action for all the people of the world to come together and work for the betterment of society. The "bells" represent the various religious and spiritual traditions that can unite people despite their differences. The first verse addresses the "heathen from the city that dreams," urging them to join in the call to action. The world is depicted as being in a state of chaos and confusion, with time running backwards and the bride going in reverse. This imagery suggests that the world is in need of a drastic change, and that the ringing of the bells is a call for this change to take place.
The second verse addresses the figure of St. Peter, who is asked to ring the bells "with an iron hand" so that people will take notice. Here, the rush hour on the wheel and the plow is metaphorically described, suggesting that people are stuck in the daily grind of their lives and need a wake-up call to action. The third verse focuses on Sweet Martha, who is called upon to ring the bells for the poor man's son, so that the world will know that God is one. Here, the image of the sleeping shepherd and the lost sheep suggests that there are many people who are struggling and need help from others.
The fourth verse is a call to action on behalf of the blind and the deaf. Stevens urges the bells to be rung for all of us who are left, perhaps indicating that we are all in need of guidance and support from each other. The fifth verse is a call to the chosen few who will judge the many when the game is through, suggesting that there will be a reckoning day when everyone's actions will be judged. The final verse is a plea to St. Catherine to ring the bells from the top of the room, for the lilies that bloom. The lines are long and the fighting is strong, but the distance between right and wrong can be broken down by the ringing of these bells.
Overall, "Ring Them Bells" is a song that urges all people to come together regardless of their differences, to recognize the need for change, and to work toward a better future for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Ring them bells, ye heathen from the city that dreams
Sound the bells, you non-believers from the city that aspires to greatness
Ring them bells from the sanctuaries cross the valleys and streams
Ringing bells from chapels and temples echoing over hills and rivers
For they're deep and they're wide and the world's on its side
Because the challenges are complex and vast and the world is in chaos
And time is running backwards and so is the bride
Time is moving in reverse, as is the traditional idea of marriage
Ring them bells St. Peter where the four winds blow
Sound the bells St. Peter where the winds are harsh
Ring them bells with an iron hand, so the people will know
Playing bells with force so people recognize the sound
Oh, it's rush hour now on the wheel and the plow
It's the busiest time for farmers as they work non-stop
And the sun is going down upon that sacred cow
The sun is setting behind the sacred animal
Ring them bells Sweet Martha for the poor man's son
Call the chimes, Sweet Martha, for the son of destitution
Ring them bells so the world will know that God is one
Calling the bells to help the world understand that there is only one God
Oh, the shepherd is asleep where the willows weep
The shepherd is resting where the trees slowly sway
And the mountains are filled with lost sheep
The hills are filled with aimless wanderers
Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf
Chime the bells for those who cannot see or hear
Ring them bells for all of us who are left
Ring the bells for all who remain
Ring them bells for the chosen few
Chime the bells for the select ones
Who will judge the many when the game is through
Those who will evaluate others when the contest is complete
Ring them bells for the time that flies
Sound the bells where time moves quickly
For the child that cries when innocence dies
For the innocent children who are in sorrow when they lose their purity
Ring them bells St. Catherine from the top of the room
Sound the bells, St. Catherine, from the highest point in the place
Ring them from the fortress for the lilies that bloom
Chime them from the stronghold for the blooming lilies
Oh, the lines are long and the fighting is strong
The queues are lengthy, and the fighting is intense
And they're breaking down the distance between right and wrong
And they are breaking down the divide between what is right and wrong
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind