3-052-318 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Christmas Bells, drawn by Lorenz Frölich, 1872. Illustration to a song by John Latey. 'How welcome is the sound, When Christmas time comes round, As bells from tower and steeple ring their message clear; And yet their chimings preach With various tones to each, Made different by the difference in the listening ear. Upon its mother's knee The child, with heedless glee, But hears the clashing tumult of some merry bells; To those of riper years, With hopes scarce tinged with fears, Of all the blessed season's dear delights it tells The while its solemn strain To age has touch of pain; The pilgrim thinks of those he ne'er shall see again; And yet not wholly so, For while he mourneth, lo! A vision of the future gladdens e'en his woe...And many a sweet-voiced quire, With lips as touched by fire, Takes up the holy song, And bears the strain along. Hush! 'tis not bells we hear; Those are not human voices, So spiritually clear; 'Tis Heaven itself rejoices, And surely Heaven is here'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.