Countless musicians have performed and re-injected life into traditional songs with examples ranging from Thin Lizzy's (and later Metallica's) Whiskey in a Jar (traditional Irish song) to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's latest collaboration Among The Gold.
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Ding Dong Merrily on High
Traditional Lyrics
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Ding dong dong…
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heaven the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riven with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swung,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chyme, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
The traditional Christmas carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High" is a joyous song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics describe the sound of bells ringing in heaven, and the voices of angels singing out the Gloria and Hosanna in excelsis. The phrase "Ding dong merrily on high" is repeated throughout the song, punctuated by the chorus of "Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!" This phrase captures the festive, joyful spirit of Christmas.
The second verse of the song refers to the ringing of bells on earth, and the "Io, io, io!" that is sung by the priest and people. The ringing of bells and singing of hymns both serve as earthly echoes of the heavenly celebration of Christ's birth. The final verse of the song urges the bell-ringers and singers to perform their duties with care and beauty, so that their music may be a fitting tribute to the miracle of Christmas.
Overall, "Ding Dong Merrily on High" is a song that celebrates the joy and wonder of Christmas, and encourages all listeners to join in the celebration with music and song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ding dong dong
The sound of bells ringing
Ding dong merrily on high,
The sound of bells ringing joyfully up high
In heaven the bells are ringing:
The sound of heavenly bells ringing
Ding dong! verily the sky
The sound of bells such that it seems as if the sky is shaking
Is riven with angel singing.
The sky has opened up due to the angelic singing
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Celebrate the glory and praise God in the highest!
E'en so here below, below,
Even so, down here on Earth
Let steeple bells be swung,
Let the bells on the church tower ring
And "Io, io, io!"
And let the people sing "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people singing.
Let the priest and the people sing together
Pray you, dutifully prime
Pray that you, the bell ringers, may properly prepare
Your matin chyme, ye ringers;
Your morning chime, bell ringers;
May you beautifully rime
May you create a beautiful rhythm
Your evetime song, ye singers.
With your evening song, singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Celebrate the glory and praise God in the highest!
Contributed by Keira G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sirknight4981
Lyrics:
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme
Your eve'time song, ye singers
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Hosanna in excelsis!!!
@CBeaumontHIGTFY
News has come through that Sir Stephen Cleobury - the conductor - has passed on. My very best to his friends and family. Thank you hugely Sir for providing us with the wonderful Music every Christmas Eve, and indeed throughout the year.
@Mikuz
Found this in 2010 and I come back every Christmas season to listen to it
@Mikuz
Back again
@Montorpyl
@@Mikuz LOL
@user-mo6pk1pb3o
me too.
currently listening now.
@Mikuz
@@user-mo6pk1pb3o enjoy! Merry Christmas
@Mukesh-ks8ie
Hi👋
@rpzzw
This night my dear, 99 year old grandmother passed away peacefully after a long time of lying in her deathbed. In the hour of her death, my wife suddenly woke up in her bed and heard the melody of this song quite clearly. (We are living in Germany, so we are not familiar with "Ding Dong" and we found out on youtube, which one it was but now)
Anyway, I can absolutely comprehend that they popped the corks and celebrated her arrival in heaven.
@ginnylorenz5265
GLORIOUS!!! God bless your grandmother, your wife, and you. Thank you sharing that beautiful experience! Love to you from Ginny in San Diego, Ca.
@janesmith3287
How wonderful. May she rest in peace.