Harry Macdonough - The Tale The Church Bells Tolled (1907)

Harry Macdonough sings "The Tale The Church Bells Tolled" on a Victor disc. Maybe you know the Edison cylinder version?

Victor 5121

April 11, 1907.

Music is by Egbert Van Alstyne.

Lyrics are by Harry Williams.

The choir was sweetly singing in the church across the way
The scent of orange blossoms filled the air
The bells were gaily ringing, 'twas a happy wedding day
And all the world seemed free from pain and care

A blushing maiden slender was to be his future mate
His eyes were warm and tender as he whispered "Darling Kate"
Kate smiled a smile of gladness, for perhaps she did not know
Of a promise made and broken long ago

While one bell was chiming
Its sweet notes were rhyming
A story of joy to impart

The other was tolling
Its sad notes unrolling
The tale of a poor broken heart

One told of a wedding
The other was spreading the news
Of a soul that had flown

Two choirs were singing
Two church bells were ringing
And each told a tale of its own

How often had he wandered with the other far away
And how her little heart had throbbed with pride
How often had they pondered o'er a future happy day
When he would come and claim her for his bride

How often did he hold her while the light was growing dim
How often had he told her, she was just the girl for him
And so she watched and waited for his coming o'er the lea
Till the Master called and said, "Come unto me"

While one bell was chiming
Its sweet notes were rhyming
A story of joy to impart

The other was tolling
Its sad notes unrolling
The tale of a poor broken heart

One told of a wedding
The other was spreading the news
Of a soul that had flown

Two choirs were singing
Two church bells were ringing
And each told a tale of its own

Harry Macdonough was born on March 30, 1871, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as John Scantlebury Macdonald. During the two decades he was active as a recording artist, the tenor was perhaps the most popular ballad singer to make records aside from Henry Burr, also a tenor from Canada.

The tenor had a long career in the recording industry.

He died on September 26, 1931.