New touring members joined after the album was recorded: Sean Woolstenhulme (guitars), Billy Mohler (bass), and Nate Wood (drums). Band and Kamin returned in June 2004 with Two (also known as 'II'). New touring musicians were hired: Daniel Damico (guitars), Justin Derrico (gutars), Corey Britz (bass), and Justin Meyer (drums). Despite radio-friendly tracks and an enthusiastic fan response, the album failed to meet commercial expectations, leading to tension between the group and the label.
In June 2005, the band announced they were going on hiatus, and frontman Alex Band announced plans to publish a solo album. Alex finished recording his album, entitled We've All Been There, and released it in May 2010, with the first single "Tonight" released the preceeding February. Alex also pre-released the album through a bracelet line called Blackstar Bracelets, which can be purchased at a number of department stores in the U.S. as well as online.
The Calling reformed in 2013, with a new line-up still featuring Alex Band, and this incarnation of the band played its first gig on August 16 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The otherwise joyous event was marred by a kidnapping incident involving Band, with the musician beaten-up and then dumped after being mugged. Having recovered, the group is currently touring for its cult fanbase.
Carol of the Bells
The Calling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All seem to say, throw cares away.
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold.
From every village town, can you hear the sound
Can you see the light, through the dark?
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
All of them send, all without end,
their joyful tone, to every home.
Ding dong dong ding, ding dong dong ding
Ding dong dong ding, ding dong dong ding.
Oh how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale.
Hear how they ring while people sing,
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here.
From every village town, can you hear the sound
Can you see the light through the dark
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas.
Hear how they ring while people sing,
songs of good cheer, Christmas is here.
Ding dong dong ding, ding dong dong ding
Ding dong dong ding, ding dong dong ding
Christmas is here...
The lyrics of The Calling's "Carol of the Bells" are centered around the joyous spirit of Christmas. The song begins by calling attention to the sweet sound of bells, representing the start of the holiday season. The words, "Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away" encourage everyone to forget their worries and anxieties and embrace the happiness of Christmas. The following line, "Christmas is here, bringing good cheer to young and old, meek and the bold," shows that everyone is welcomed to partake and enjoy this festive season.
The song then shifts focus to acknowledge the universal feeling of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the culture of people worldwide celebrating the occasion. The verse, "From every village town, can you hear the sound, can you see the light, through the dark?" portrays the vibrancy, and unity of the holiday joy that knows no boundaries. The lyrics carry on with, "All of them send, all without end, their joyful tone, to every home," suggesting that the song's happiness is contagious and spreads to every corner.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells
Listen to the sound of these sweet silver bells.
All seem to say, throw cares away.
They all seem to be saying to forget about all worries.
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
Christmas has arrived, bringing happiness and joy.
To young and old, meek and the bold.
This joy is for everyone, regardless of age or personality.
From every village town, can you hear the sound
The sound of the bells can be heard from every village town.
Can you see the light, through the dark?
Can you see the light shining through the darkness?
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
A joyful, joyful, joyful Christmas.
All of them send, all without end, their joyful tone, to every home.
They all send their joyful tone endlessly to every home.
Ding dong dong ding, ding dong dong ding
The sound of the bells ringing.
Oh how they pound, raising the sound
The bells pound loudly, raising the sound.
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale.
The sound of the bells travel all over, telling their tale.
Hear how they ring while people sing,
Listen to how the bells ring while people sing.
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here.
The songs being sung are happy, bringing Christmas cheer.
Christmas is here...
The time of joy and celebration has arrived - Christmas is finally here.
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.