Godfrey Birtill - Ring Out Wild Bells Lyrics
Lyrics
Rind out wild bells, to the wild sky,
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the false, ring in the true!
Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring!
Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring Ring!
Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust for gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
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Ring out wild bells - Godfrey Birtill with lyrics
Meaning & Inspiration
Godfrey Birtill’s "Ring Out Wild Bells," released on November 1, 2010, as the titular track of his album *Ring Out Wild Bells*, is far more than a simple musical piece; it is a profound prophetic declaration set to a captivating rhythm. This song acts as a clarion call, drawing deeply from ancient Scripture to envision a future transformed by divine intervention and human repentance. Birtill uses the iconic imagery of ringing bells not merely as a festive sound, but as an insistent, urgent summons for radical change, a forceful pronouncement against the corruptions of the present age and an earnest welcome to the dawning of God’s redemptive plan.
The song immediately establishes its central theme with the compelling command to "ring out the old, ring in the new," repeating it with a crescendo of spiritual urgency, culminating in the powerful directive to "ring out the false, ring in the true!" This opening stanza powerfully resonates with the biblical call for spiritual renewal and transformation. It echoes the apostle Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" It is a summons to divest ourselves of outdated patterns of thought and behavior that hinder spiritual growth, aligning with Ephesians 4:22-24 to "put off your old self... and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." The emphasis on exchanging the "false" for the "true" speaks directly to the heart of Christian discipleship, where Jesus Himself declares in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life." This isn't a passive wish but an active, decisive move towards God's revealed reality.
Following this foundational call, the song’s insistent rhythmic refrain of ringing acts as an unwavering pulse, preparing the listener for the specific transformations envisioned. Birtill then moves into a direct confrontation with the world’s pervasive evils, commanding us to "ring out old shapes of foul disease" and to "ring out the narrowing lust for gold." This powerful imagery confronts both physical ailments and the spiritual sickness of greed that ensnares humanity. Scripture consistently speaks to the destructive nature of these forces. While disease and suffering are part of a fallen world, the Bible also promises divine healing and restoration (Isaiah 53:5). The "lust for gold" finds its biblical condemnation in 1 Timothy 6:10, which states, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." This line is a direct challenge to the idolization of material wealth, urging a focus on eternal riches.
The prophetic scope of the song expands dramatically with the declaration to "ring out the thousand wars of old, ring in the thousand years of peace." Here, Birtill clearly alludes to the Messianic age described in Revelation 20:4-6, the millennial reign of Christ, a period characterized by unparalleled peace and justice. This vision finds deep roots in Old Testament prophecy, such as Isaiah 2:4, "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." The song envisions a future where the relentless cycle of conflict is finally broken, replaced by an era of divine harmony, demonstrating the ultimate triumph of God's benevolent rule.
The final stanza brings the message to its glorious crescendo, focusing on the character of those who will inhabit this renewed world and, ultimately, the source of all transformation. To "ring in the valiant man and free, the larger heart, the kindlier hand" is to envision humanity restored to its intended glory, living out the virtues of Christ. This resonates with Colossians 3:10, where believers are exhorted to "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." It speaks of a freedom found in Christ (Galatians 5:1) that enables genuine compassion and courage. The song then starkly contrasts this light with the lingering darkness, commanding to "ring out the darkness of the land." This is a spiritual darkness, the moral decay and sin that pervade society, which will ultimately be dispelled by the radiant truth of God. The song culminates in its most profound affirmation: "Ring in the Christ that is to be." This powerful statement directly anticipates the second coming of Jesus Christ, His triumphant return to establish His kingdom fully and forever. Revelation 22:20 captures this eager longing: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Godfrey Birtill’s "Ring Out Wild Bells" is therefore not just a song about personal improvement, but a monumental faith statement, a vibrant, hope-filled anthem that prophetically announces the coming Kingdom of God and the ultimate reign of Christ, inspiring all who hear it to prepare for that glorious day.