Very many years ago, when Stockholm was built chiefly of wood, St. Jacob’s Church was a kind of signal station. There used to be in its tower a watchman, who would sing out the hours of night:
“The hour is ten:
God’s mighty hand
Preserve our town
From fire and brand:
The hour is ten.”
If he saw any sign of fire, instead of his rhyme he sounded a rattle as a warning.
GUSTAVUS VASA’S ENTRY INTO STOCKHOLM, MIDSUMMER, 1532.
Carl Larsson.