Tennyson's Wild Bells...What Do They Mean?

We were supposed to sing this song in church last week, but the meeting went long, so it ended up on the program today. I think most LDS congregations sang this song to ring in the new year. I have no idea if other denominations sing this particular song--perhaps they do.

We've sung it before, and I don't think I ever took notice of the words.

Until today.

Here are the words:

1. 1. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
2. The flying cloud, the frosty light.
   The year is dying in the night;
   Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
   The year is dying in the night;
   Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
3. 2. Ring out the old; ring in the new.
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow.
   The year is going; let him go.
   Ring out the false; ring in the true.
   The year is going; let him go.
   Ring out the false; ring in the true.
4. 3. Ring in the valiant men and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
   Ring out the darkness of the land;
   Ring in the Christ that is to be.
   Ring out the darkness of the land;
   Ring in the Christ that is to be.
5. Text: Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892
   
   

The thing that struck me today is Tennyson wrote about bells, and how the bells changed. We ring out the old and ring in the new. The ringing is exactly the same. The bell is but an instrument of the one ringing. The sound the bell makes a few seconds before the year ends and a few seconds after the new year begins...

Is exactly the same. There's no difference.

So, why does he write about bells making the changing, change from old to new, from false to true, from darkness to Christ?

You see, it has nothing to do with the bells, but everything to do with the ones who hear. It's a very cool concept. And a great way to view a new year, even a new day, a new hour, a new moment.