MIT Guild of Bellringers

25^th Anniversary Celebration

of the Rehanging of the Old North Bells

The bells of Old North are not only the oldest change ringing bells in North America, but some say they are also the loveliest in tone.  Today, they remain exactly as they were cast in 1744 by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester but are much easier to ring because of the rehanging of 25 years ago, which involved the construction of a new wooden frame made from the stock set aside for repairs to the U.S.S. Constitution.  Come see these bells, ring these bells, and enjoy Boston!

 

Dates

 Friday, August 29 – Monday, September 1

(Labor Day Weekend)

 

Ringing

Early birds are welcome to join the regular Advent practice on Thursday evening the 28^th, 7-9 PM. We have permission to ring at the Advent on Friday evening, and more or less all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  There will be some ringing at Old North on Saturday and Sunday as well as an outing to Groton, which is one hour to the west, at some point during the weekend.  Most ringing sessions will be open, but we expect to organize quarters and possibly peals depending on interest.  (By the way, ringing is not available at The Perkins School, a fine eight which has been off-limits since 1985.)

 

Cost

Registration cost will cover the Sunday dinner and water & tower snacks, as well as the usual name stickers, etc. and is expected to be on the order of $25 per person.

 

Registration Form

The registration form can be downloaded here. Please fill out this form on your computer before printing, rather than printing the blank and filling it in by hand. 

 

Questions?

Email Geoff Davies at g.davies@neu.edu or Dianne Cermak at dspc@comcast.net.

This page is maintained by Mira Whiting.  It was last updated 6/19/2008.  Contact us at bellringers@mit.edu

Advent (8) 19-1-17

Old North (8) 14-1-0

Groton (10) 18-0-20

‘Tis A Gift to Be Simple — The Bellringing in Boston Version!

 

‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be true.  ‘Tis a gift to strike well ‘specially on the two, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘twill be in the tower of Advent tonight.

 

CHORUS: When true simplicity is gained, to bow and the bend we shan’t be ashamed.  To turn, turn, will be our delight ‘til by turning, turning we come round right.

 

‘Tis a gift to have ropesight, rhythm’s all about feel.  ‘Tis a gift to ring the whole entire peal, and ev’ry lead we ring in the touch that we choose, ‘tis the gift that we pray we may never come to lose.

 

CHORUS

 

‘Tis a gift made by Rudhall, ‘tis a gift made quite well.  ‘Tis a gift to ring such a lovely set of bells.  And now that we’ve been ringing them for twenty-five years, we’d like to come and make music for our ears!

 

CHORUS

 

‘Tis a gift to be ringing, ‘tis a gift to have won.  ‘Tis a gift from back before there was fun.[1]  And with Paul Revere on the opposite shore, Newman hung the lamps with the Brits at the door.

 

CHORUS

 

Sung to the tune of “Simple Gifts.” Words mostly by James Whiting with some help from Mira.