For the first time in my life I don't have a five-year plan; it's become clear rather suddenly and painfully that the 5-year/forever plan I've spent a very long time wanting will never become a reality. So, I'm claiming the rest of this Christmas season as mine, and I'm taking the time to reclaim my heart, to reclaim my self, and to quiet myself enough to listen and hear whatever it is God is trying to tell me. It's time to hear His voice instead of my own. And, along the way, when I get to hear the real bells of New York City, I will be ok, and I won't let them make me sad, and who knows? Maybe I'll even get my wings.
There's a pale winter moon in the sky coming through my window
And the park is laid out like a bed below
It's a cold, dark night and my heart melts like the snow
And the bells of New York City tell me not to go
It's always this time of year that my thoughts undo me
With the ghosts of many lifetimes all abound
But from these mad heights I can always hear the sound
Of the bells of New York City singing all around
Stay with me, stay with me
A refuge from these broken dreams
Wait right here, awake with me
On silent, snow-filled streets
Sing to me one song for joy, and one for redemption
And whatever's in between that I call mine
With the street lamp light to illuminate the grey
And the bells of New York City calling me to stay
The bells of New York City calling me to stay
And the park is laid out like a bed below
It's a cold, dark night and my heart melts like the snow
And the bells of New York City tell me not to go
It's always this time of year that my thoughts undo me
With the ghosts of many lifetimes all abound
But from these mad heights I can always hear the sound
Of the bells of New York City singing all around
Stay with me, stay with me
A refuge from these broken dreams
Wait right here, awake with me
On silent, snow-filled streets
Sing to me one song for joy, and one for redemption
And whatever's in between that I call mine
With the street lamp light to illuminate the grey
And the bells of New York City calling me to stay
The bells of New York City calling me to stay
What a beautiful post!!! I really enjoyed your encounter with Josh!! Very lucky!! The Bells of New York City song is truly beautiful and the addition of the bell choir made it even more special.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!!! I hope that you find your path!!
My pastor wrote to me, "Bells were used to drive away evil spirits in olden days. May the bells of York drive all darkness, unwelcome melancholy, and sadness from your heart. He is with us, and with you!" He's so wise and comforting. <3 you, Dave : )
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Darling Nia,
ReplyDeleteYup, British handbells are heavier. Also, all handbells are tuned to feature two prominent pitches--the fundamental and an overtone. The fundamental pitch comes from the rim of the bell, where the casting is the thickest. The featured overtone comes from the crown of the casting, where the metal is the second-thickest. The metal between the two areas is thinned so as to reduce other pitches.
Anyway, this second pitch is what separates American and British-made bells. The Brits, such as Whitchapel, and other Euro bell foundries, such as the Dutch company Petit and Fritsen, use a tenth (octave+third, either major or minor). Americans, such as Malmark and Schulmerich, use a twelfth (octave+a perfect fifth). The twelfth results in a cleaner sound, and thus larger chords can be rung and still sound beautiful/in tune. The Euro bells sound more like actual church bells--pretty for a melody, but not so nice on big chords.
All that is to say... I miss you.
And I'm really glad Bell Choir finally got some recognition on campus.