Rhett Walker - Carol Of The Bells Lyrics
Lyrics
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Dusk into dawn, this is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear, words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
Louder now
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Hear the joyful news they tell
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Tell the world
That Jesus Christ is born
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
One seems to hear, words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
Louder now
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Hear the joyful news they tell
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Tell the world
That Jesus Christ is born
Bells are ringing
Earth is singing
The sound of salvation is near
Bells are ringing
Earth is singing
The sound of salvation is near
Can you hear?
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Hear the joyful news they tell
Hear them ring
Christmas bells
Tell the world
That Jesus Christ is born
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Hark how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say
Throw cares away
Video
Carol Of The Bells
Meaning & Inspiration
Rhett Walker's take on "Carol Of The Bells" stands as a powerful reinterpretation, transforming a beloved seasonal classic into an overt declaration of faith. Released in a time often filled with holiday merriment, Walker’s rendition cuts through the noise with a clear, resonant message, positioning itself not merely as a festive tune but as a profound spiritual statement for the Christmas season and beyond. This particular version injects a potent theological core into the traditional melody, crafting a narrative centered entirely on the birth of Christ and the salvation He offers, making its purpose unequivocally evangelistic and deeply inspiring.
The song’s foundational meaning hinges on its purposeful lyrical additions, which pivot the familiar imagery of ringing bells towards the ultimate news of the Gospel. While the opening lines speak of silver bells encouraging us to "throw cares away," they are imbued with a new depth when considered in light of the subsequent revelation. This call to abandon worries finds its truest fulfillment not in fleeting holiday cheer, but in the enduring peace found in Christ. It reminds us of Philippians 4:6-7, which urges us not to be anxious about anything, but to present our requests to God, promising that His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. Similarly, it echoes Jesus' tender invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," highlighting that true release from care comes from laying our burdens at His feet.
As the song progresses, it describes Christmas bringing "good cheer to young and old, meek and the bold," portraying a universal joy that encompasses every person. This inclusivity beautifully reflects the Good News itself, which is for all humanity, without distinction. Luke 2:10 proclaims the angel’s message: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people," emphasizing the widespread and democratic nature of God's love and the salvation offered through His Son. The continuous nature of the bells' song, from "dusk into dawn," suggests an unceasing proclamation, a testament to God's omnipresent truth that continuously speaks through creation and through His Word, much like Psalm 19:1-4 declares that "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."
The recurring emphasis on hearing "words of good cheer from everywhere, filling the air" culminates in the song's unambiguous declaration: "Hear the joyful news they tell / Tell the world / That Jesus Christ is born." This is the theological heartbeat of Walker’s rendition, transforming the charming imagery into a direct summons to acknowledge the Incarnation. This central message aligns perfectly with the very essence of Christmas as recounted in Luke 2, where angels announce the birth of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. It underscores the profound significance of God becoming flesh, as articulated in John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The escalating intensity implied by the sound "raising the sound, louder now" suggests the growing urgency and power of this message, reminding us of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where believers are called to "go and make disciples of all nations."
Further deepening the spiritual impact, the lines "Bells are ringing / Earth is singing / The sound of salvation is near" elevate the message to a cosmic scale. This isn't just human celebration; it's creation itself rejoicing in the proximity of God's redemptive plan. The earth singing in response to salvation evokes powerful images from Isaiah 49:13, "Sing for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones." The proximity of salvation, signified by "is near," reinforces the immediate and accessible nature of God's grace, echoing Romans 10:9, which states that "if you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." The final, simple question, "Can you hear?", serves as a direct, personal challenge, inviting each soul to open their heart to this divine melody and embrace the life-altering truth it conveys, much like the gentle yet insistent knocking described in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Rhett Walker’s "Carol Of The Bells" is thus more than a festive tune; it is a profound and urgent call to acknowledge and celebrate the pivotal event of Christ’s birth and the eternal salvation it brings, serving as an inspiring anthem for faith during the most wonderful time of the year.