[Biblemat] hymn study, "Joy-Bells"

[Wayne S Walker]

Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.
 
"JOY-BELLS"
"...Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise"
(Matt. 21.16)
 
     INTRO.:  A song which expresses the joy and beauty of the praise
that comes out of the mouths of babes is "Joy-Bells."  The text was
written by Josephine Pollard (1834-1892).  Born in New York City, NY, she
joined with Fanny J. Crosby and Mary Ann Kidder as a trio of poetesses
who produced the bulk of poems that William B. Bradbury and his
associates set to music for their Sunday school hymnbooks.  A couple of
her other songs, "Beyond the Sunset's Radiant Glow" from 1871 and "There
Are Lights By the Shore," have appeared in our books.  "Joy-Bells" was
published as a children's song.  The tune was composed by Henry Tucker. 
Apparently, the music was produced in 1867 but was used in Hymns of
Praise, edited by George A. Bell and Hubert P. Main and published in 1884
by Biglow and Main in New York City, NY, with a hymn "Praise our Savior"
by W. C. Peckham.
1. "Praise our Savior, in our measure, Sound aloud His wondrous Name;
Gladly singing, praises bringing, Heart and voice His love proclaim."
2. "Send His story, spread His glory, To the earth's remotest bound;
Tell the tidings--gracious tidings--Where a sinful soul is found."
3. Worship, honor, strength, and blessing, Be to Him forever paid'
Love increasing, thanks unceasing, For the life His death hath made."
 
     There is also a refrain that has different music from the stanzas. 
I have not been able to find any further information about the composer,
except that he lived in the 19th century and also provided a tune for a
rather little known song "Jesus, Help Me" by Fanny Crosby.  Also, I have
been unable to find any other information about "Joy-Bells," its date, or
the source of origin.  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's
church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the
song appeared in the 1937 Great Songs of the Church No. 2 edited by E. L.
Jorgenson; and the 1955 Youth Melodies and Action Songs edited by Palmer
E. Wheeler.
 
     The song is filled with the exuberance of childhood and youth.
 
I. Stanza 1 emphasizes the guilelessness of children
"Joy-bells ringing, children singing, Fill the air with music sweet;
Joyful measure, guileless treasure, Make the chain of song complete."
A. Even the Psalmist recognized the value of praise offered by children:
Ps. 8.2
B. One reason for this is their guilelessness, which is part of why Jesus
said that we must become as little children: Matt. 18.3
C. As we follow this example of children, it will help to make our own
chain of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs complete: Col. 3.16
 
II. Stanza 2 emphasizes the happiness of children
"Joy-bells ringing, children singing, Hark their voices loud and clear,
Breaking o'er us like a chorus, From a purer, happier sphere."
A. God wants us all, adults and children alike, to use our voices and
lips in praising Him: Heb. 13.15
B. Thus, we can join our voices together in a chorus of joy in singing
psalms to Him: Jas. 5.13
C. The purity of children singing praise to God is akin to the praise
offered by the redeemed round the throne in that happier sphere: Rev.
5.8-10 
 
III. Stanza 3 emphasizes the joyfulness of children
"Earth seems brighter, hearts grow lighter, As the gladsome melody
Charms our sadness into gladness, Pealing, pealing joyfully."
A. When we can sing with a merry heart, it makes our lives brighter and
lighter: Prov. 15.13, 17.22
B. Therefore, it is always good to make gladsome melody in our hearts to
the Lord: Eph. 5.19
C. Indeed, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord is one of the
ways that God has given us to "rejoice in the Lord": Phil. 4.4
 
     CONCL.:  At first glance this may not seem like a hymn or even a
"religious" song at all.  However, if we were to use the song in a church
service, we could easily understand the singing, voices, and melody all
to refer to praising God in worship.  While we recognize that the
scriptures do not authorize or even mention the use of bells in giving
praise to God, we know that bells are often used to express joy on happy
occasions and thus can still understand the figurative nature of the
words in likening the songs that we sing to worship our God to
"Joy-Bells."
 
      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
9024 Amona Dr.
Affton, MO  63123
home phone: (314) 638-4710
office phone: (314) 544-1612
e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com
website: www.defenderoftruth.com
 
     Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website.  Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion.  It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com.  And
if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you
can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to
hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ .
 
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