"THE BELLS OF BELGIUM"
I heard the bells of Belgium sweetly ringing,
Like angel tones celestial on the air.
Within the fields the harvesters were singing,
When plentitude and peace were there.
I heard the bells of Belgium softly chiming,
When o'er the peaceful vale uprose the moon;
The maiden walked, her lover's arm entwining,
Unthinking of his exile, or her doom.
I heard the bells of Belgium sadly tolling,
They sobbed across the vineyards and the dunes,
The rack of war across the land was rolling,
And ravagers had laid the land in ruins.
An alien race a land of freemen goaded,
And pitiless as proud, took up their reign,
And ruffian stern, the heavy burden loaded,
On hearts that rankled 'neath the bondsman's chain.
I heard the Belgian bells prophetic ringing,
And deep and calm their voices seemed to say:
"Let faith and hope in every heart keep springing,
For Belgium shall regain her own some day!"
And joy again shall gladden tearful faces,
And exiled feet again shall press her sod,
And soft intoned within the sacred places,
Shall lift the prayers of Belgians unto God.
I heard the bells of Belgium wildly ringing,
With madness of great gladness did they ring;
They pealed of triumph, and a nation bringing
Unto his own, its hero and its King.