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.
