179 Little Jimmy Brown or The Three Bells

 

Written in 1945, "Les Trois Cloches" is about the life of Jean-François Nicot who lived in a small village at the bottom a valley, starting with his birth, then his marriage and ending with his death, events all accompanied by ringing of the bells (Bowm, Bowm, Bowm, Bowm).

 

 

1. There is a village hidden deep in the valley,
Among the pine trees half forlorn,
And there on a sunny morning
Little Jimmy Brown was born.
So his parents took him to the chapel
When he was only one day old,
And the priest blessed the little fellow:
“Welcome, Jimmy, to the fold.”

Chorus:
All the chapel bells were ringing
In the little valley town,
And the song that they were singing
Was for baby Jimmy Brown.
And the little congregation,
Prayed for guidance from above:
“Lead us not into temptation,
Bless this hour of meditation,
Guide him with eternal love.”

2. There is a village hidden deep in the valley,
Beneath the mountains high above.
And there, twenty years thereafter,
Jimmy was to meet his love.
Many friends were gathered in the chapel
And many tears of joy were shed
In June, on a Sunday morning,
When Jimmy and his bride were wed.

Chorus:
All the chapel bells were ringing,
’Twas a great day in his life.
And the song that they were singing
Was for Jimmy and his wife.
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above:
“Lead us not into temptation,
Bless, Oh Lord this celebration,
May their lives be filled with love.”

3. From the village hidden deep in the valley,
One rainy morning dark and grey,
A soul winged its way to heaven:
Jimmy Brown had passed away.
Silent people gathered in the chapel
To say farewell to their old friend
Whose life had been like a flower,
Budding, blooming to the end.

Chorus:
Just a lonely bell was ringing
In the little valley town.
’Twas farewell that it was singing
To our good old Jimmy Brown.
And the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above:
“Lead us not into temptation,
May his soul find the salvation,
Of Thy great eternal love.”
 

 

The song was recorded in Chapel at a Sunday evening service, on microphones fixed to the front of the visitors' balcony - a long way from the Choir.