~Ring the Bells of Heaven!

       William Orcott Cushing was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1823. After many successful years in the pastorate, he lost his power of speech. In this time of despair, he prayed, “Lord, give me something to do for Thee.”

       His prayer was answered, and it seemed as though God gave him the unusual gift of writing the catchy, Sunday School type of songs. He worked closely with such gospel musicians as Ira Sankey, Robert Lowry, George F. Root and others.

       Originally the melody was written for a secular song.

       Later, when Cushing heard the melody, he wrote—

       “The melody ran in my head all day long, chiming and flowing in its sweet musical cadence. I wished greatly that I might secure this tune for use in the Sunday School and for other Christian purposes.

       “Later when I heard of some sinner that had returned, it seemed like such a glad day with the very bells of heaven ringing in my soul. Then the words, ‘Ring the Bells Of Heaven,’ at once flowed down into this waiting melody.”

       Mr. Cushing is also the author of “Hiding In Thee,” “When He Cometh,” as well as such other favorites as “Under His Wings,” and “Down In the Valley With My Savior I Would Go.”

       ++++++++++

Ring the Bells of Heaven[1]

1           Ring the bells of heaven! there is joy today

For a soul, returning from the wild!

See! the Father meets him out upon the way,

Welcoming His weary, wand’ring child.

2           Ring the bells of heaven! there is joy today,

For the wand’rer now is reconciled.

Yes, a soul is rescued from his sinful way,

And is born anew, a ransomed child.

3           Ring the bells of heaven! spread the feast today!

Angels, swell the glad, triumphant strain!

Tell the joyful tidings; bear it far away,

For a precious soul is born again.

Chorus  Glory! glory! how the angels sing!

Glory! glory! how the voices ring!

’Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,

Pealing forth the anthem of the free.