Ding dong! Merrily on high
Windsbacher Knabenchor Lyrics


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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 rime
your evetime song, ye singers.




Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Overall Meaning

The song "Ding dong! Merrily on high" by Windsbacher Knabenchor is a festive Christmas carol that describes the joy and celebration in heaven and on earth during the birth of Jesus Christ. The carol begins with the chiming of the bells in heaven and the jubilant singing of the angels. The lyrics suggest that the heavens are filled with the joyful sounds of the bells, signifying the arrival of Jesus Christ. The chorus, "Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!" is a Latin phrase that translates to "Glory, Hosanna in the highest!".


The second verse of "Ding dong! Merrily on high" encourages the people below to join in the celebration and ring their own bells in honor of the birth of Jesus. The word "io" is used as an exclamation of joy, and the chorus is repeated, reminding all of the great significance of the event.


The final verse of the carol urges the ringers and singers to perform their best during the morning and evening prayers. It is a request that they continue to celebrate throughout the day, honoring the birth of Christ.


Overall, "Ding dong! Merrily on high" is a joyous song about the birth of Jesus, inviting all to unite in the celebration and to praise the Lord.


Line by Line Meaning

Ding dong! merrily on high
The bells are joyfully ringing high up in heaven.


in heav'n the bells are ringing:
The bells are ringing in heaven, a sign of divine celebration.


Ding dong! verily the sky
The sky is filled with the sound of bells ringing.


is riv’n with Angel singing.
Angels are singing beautifully and harmoniously in the sky.


Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Praise and honor be to God in the highest!


E'en so here below, below,
Even here on earth below,


let steeple bells be swungen,
Let the bells on the church steeple be rung,


And io, io io,
And let the people cheer,


by priest and people sungen.
As the priest and people sing.


Pray you, dutifully prime
Please prepare diligently and properly,


your matin chime, ye ringers;
For your morning bells, ringers;


May you beautifully rime
May you sing beautifully and melodiously,


your evetime song, ye singers.
For your evening song, singers.




Contributed by Harper J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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