For rich and poor, for old and young,
For one and all alike;
From early morn, and all night long,
We mark the time,
And strike,
To call the people churchward bound,
For all to be on time;
With reverend and solomn sound,
To offer thanks,
We chime,
And for the fair, with songs and dance,
With joy we start to swing;
To bring the people in a trance,
In joyous mood,
We ring.
But when we sorrow for a friend,
A true and faithful soul;
Whose parting brings us grief no end,
In sympathy,
We toll.
And when the sun is setting West,
And nature’s beauties bring
A golden show ’r of peace and Rest,
With heart and soul,
We sing.
Kamiel Lefévere