| Many years ago (in the 80s) my then wife, Linda, and I drove up to Montana to visit her mom. On the way I began reading a "Strange but True" paperback and came upon a story about a town that was strategically located on a mountain top that Napolean desired. His troops amassed below, and they expected to take this town on Easter morning. The city council met to discuss their fate and the pastor suggested they ring the bells for Jesus Christ. Everyone agreed and that is what they did. On Easter morning they rang the bells and, to the surprise of everyone, Napolean and his cronies, skeedaddled out of there. They thought a larger army had come (and one DID come, didn't He?).
I was moved to write "Let's Ring the Bells for Jesus Christ," based on that story. I love the song's greater message that when we are confronted with some "impossible" situation, we can figuratively "ring the bells for Jesus Christ" and have a victory.
Let's Ring the Bells for Jesus Christ
by Vic Zarley
1. It happened in a mountain town
Two hundred years ago
Napoleon had gathered troops
So ominous below
This town was needed for his troops
And it was quite a prize
On Easter morn he'd take this town
Before they realized (next verse)
2. The council met to talk about
The town's impending doom
Everyone was nervous in that
Tiny council room
Surrender to Napoleon
Or fight and hide the young
A preacher stood and said, “Let's do
What we have never done!” (chorus)
Chorus: Let's ring the bells for Jesus Christ
Let's ring them loud and clear
Let's ring the bells courageously
Let's ring away all fear
Let's ring the bells for Jesus Christ
This lovely Easter morn
Let's ring the bells with all our might
So we might be reborn
3. That Easter morn the sky was filled
With bells that rang and rang
That Easter morn the preacher led
The people as they sang
And then that army turned and fled
Because the bells had rung
They thought an army larger
Than their own had finally come (chorus twice)
Whenever I hear the first notes of Emissary's song, "2012," the tears well up in my eyes again. The marriage of Emissary's song with the words of "He Is Risen" was a match made in Heaven.
In 2012, Eva and I parked our RV in the driveway of Eva's mom's house and were there for her when she needed help as she was afflicted with Alzheimer's. While there, I set up a recording studio in her basement and decided to find music on the Internet that was licensed Creative Commons with Attribution meaning that I could use their instrumentals for my projects as long as I mentioned who wrote it and the name of the composer. It is amazing how much music is out there available to all of us for any project (as long as the rules are followed).
I found so much music that was available to use, I decided to find music to go with all my poetry and succeeded! This poem was included in that batch. Creative Commons Licensing is a way for artists to share their music with the community. I am certainly grateful to artists who readily use it. To name a few of my favorites, check out Incompetech.com (Kevin Macleod), Audionautix.com (Jason Shaw), JoshWoodward.com (Josh Woodward), and Danomusic.com (Dan O'Connor) and much more if you just start looking.
I remember finding this composition and wondering whether it would go with "He Is Risen." When I recorded it, the tears started falling and I felt fortunate to even be able to complete the recording. Jesus's willingness to die for us should cause an emotional response.
He Is Risen
by Vic Zarley
It's over
It's done
Though traffic speeds by my window
I can see the lifeless body
As lifeless as a million ancestors of mine
Though birds chatter life out my window
I can see the body in state
Lying there
So still
So very still
A jet almost breaks my somber vision with its thunderous roar
I see his hand twitch
I see his eyelids squeeze tight
Then flash open
Revealing
So much love
So much compassion
For the people who killed him
Then, as a long freight train rumbles by in the distance
Clickity clack clickety clack
I wonder at his power
At his life
At his wisdom
That-though many years have passed
And shops are clothed in concrete and glass
Instead of tents
And streets are asphalt
Instead of dirt
And transportation is metallic
Instead of animal
And we are all so sophisticated now-
A man, in his funeral attire
Sat up!
"Destroy this temple..."
And took some deep breaths,
Each breath a praise to the Father within
"...And I will..."
And angels rolled a giant rock away for him
"...In three days..."
And he stepped out into the morning air
Praising the life in his body
"...Raise it again"
It's over
It's done
God's Son rose that awesome day
For each of us, He is the way
A huge thanks to the group, Emissary for their instrumental entitled 2012.
I found this at Music.Mevio.com. Interestingly, this production took place in the year 2012
in a makeshift studio I set up in my Mother-in-law's basement. This particular production was very emotional
as I had an uncannily clear picture of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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