Vaughan Williams: On Wenlock Edge: Bredon Hill

In summertime on Breedon

The bells they sound so clear

Round both the shires they ring them

In steeples far and near

A happy noise to hear

Here of a Sunday morning

My love and I would lie

And see the coloured counties

And hear the lark so high

About us in the sky

The bells would ring to call her

In valleys miles away

"Come all to church, good people

Good people, come and pray"

But here my love would stay

And I would turn and answer

Among the springing thyme

"Oh, peer upon our wedding

And we will hear the chime

And come to church in time"

But when the snows at Christmas

On Breedon top were strown

My love rose up so early

And stole out unbeknown

And went to church alone

They tolled the one bell only

Groom there was none to see

The mourners followed after

And so to church went she

And would not wait for me

The bells they sound on Breedon

And still the steeples hum

"Come all to church, good people

Oh, noisy bells, be dumb

I hear you, I will come"

"I will come"