Hear the mellow cry
of the funeral bells,
their chime for tell
a chant of deep sorrow.
They seem to sing
a slow hymn of peace
and carry their note
through the sky,
across the fields,
into the homes,
around the town.
They play a tune
of truth and sentence
like a judge whom
allows no appeal.
They accompany
the flesh to its final rest
and give a definite ending
to a story that has no
sentence and nothing
left to say.
And as the shadows
give way to dust
and a final stone,
the one löst in it,
forever humbles
for peace is taking
that soul home.
Oblivion is eternal
and the deluded
go back to a forsaken
life, but it\'s an illusion
for the earth next to mine
will be your ransom.
Be gentle, be kind
and close the door behind.
It\'s cold outside
and you are no greater
than I was before you.
Inside, the dark will
be true light and the shattered
Church death bells will keep
playing their chimes forever more.