Thursday, May 7, 2015

"The Three Bells"/ "Les Trois Cloches"






At the end of March, Richard and I went to the North Georgia mountains for the weekend.  As we drove through Clarkesville, I recognized the area where my Dad used to buy records for us when we were kids from his friend, Ralph Raper.  As we turned onto the road that would take us to Black Rock Mountain State Park, this small church in the valley made me think of one of those songs, "The Three Bells".
I did a little research and was surprised to learn the story behind it.



 
 
 
"The Three Bells" (or "Little Jimmy Brown") is a song that was a number one hit for The Browns in 1959.  It was based on the   song, "Les Trois Cloches" by   Jean Villard Gilles and Marc Herrand and is a Swiss song written in French. (The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld.)
The song was also a big hit for  Edith Piaf in 1945  The song documents the life of a man: his birth, his marriage and his death.
 
The lyrics to the song were inspired by a visit to a small church cemetery.  The author was struck by the dates of the birth and death dates on a headstone and he began to wonder of the life the man had lived, all tied to the small church from his christening,  his marriage and to his passing. 
 
 
 
This autumn, The Browns will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  This is a great honor for them and I was pleased to learn of this for them.  I have a link to Maxine Brown, one of the Brown sisters, she has written in detail about this song and you may find it here.  (What a great lady, wish I could meet her!)
 
All of the names that I have mentioned above are quite interesting...so many people to read about, so little time!
 
And, of course, you know I have BOTH songs here for you!
 


There's a village hidden deep in the valley
Among the pine trees half forlorn
And there on a sunny morning
Little Jimmy Brown was born
All the chapel bells were ringing
In the little valley town
And the songs that they were singing
Were for baby Jimmy Brown
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
Lead us not into temptation,
Bless this hour of meditation
Guide him with eternal love
There's a village hidden deep in the valley
Beneath the mountains high above
And there, twenty years thereafter
Jimmy was to meet his love
All the chapel bells were ringing,
Was a great day in his life
Cause the songs that they were singing
Were for Jimmy and his wife
Then the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
Lead us not into temptation,
Bless oh Lord this celebration
May their lives be filled with love
From the village hidden deep in the valley
One rainy morning dark and gray
A soul winged its way to heaven
Jimmy Brown had passed away
Just a lonely bell was ringing
In the little valley town
Twas farewell that it was singing
To our good old Jimmy Brown
And the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
Lead us not into temptation,
May his soul find the salvation
Of thy great eternal love"

34 comments:

  1. I was also surprised when I found out that the Browns were not in the Hall of Fame. Three Bells was such a huge hit when I was young. It was almost haunting. I had not heard the Edith Piaf version before. Thank you for supplying that also.

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    1. I find the background of songs fascinating, don't you? I love this song and I am happy to have both versions of it!

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  2. As happens time and time again with your blog, I learned something new! I've never heard of this song or the group before; of course I know Edith Piaf, she is just too famous in Europe (and in francophile Germany in particular) not to know her.
    I know what you mean about so many interesting people to do research about - sometimes when I do "just a little" research for when I am writing my book reviews, I could branch out and read and write for hours! Instead, I usually have to get back to work after half an hour :-)

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    1. :The Three Bells" was one of the many records that we played over and over again when we were kids. We were very lucky that my Dad was such a goof friend ofRalph Raper, the records store owner from Demorest, GA!!
      And Edith Piaf...everyone SHOULD know her! You might not know this about me but I LOVE FRANCE! Oh dear, I do need to write a post about it!
      And yes, Meike, I am afraid that I find people and the background stories of things so fascinating, that my head gets all jumbled up and it is almost impossible to write anything that makes any sense! Guess I don't have to tell you that, you have read my blog enough! LOL!

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  3. That is a really great song with a surprisingly powerful meaning behind it. I didn't even think or guess the meaning too much. If everything goes well in your life then the church bells will ring thrice for you. Congratulations as well to the Browns on getting in to the hall of fame.

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    1. Yes, I think it is a wonderful song and the man who wrote the lyrics is such a poet that I hope you clicked on his name and read about him too!
      Thanks for your comment, Mark! I have to tell you, I can't look at your blog for too long, when I click on it, it makes my computer go down, sorry!

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  4. Wow! I've not heard that song in such a long time. Such a sad song...and it brings back lots of memories of those days so long ago when it first hit our air waves. :)

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    1. Hey Lee,
      This song is very much in my childhood memories. I love those harmonies, they are just perfect. I love good singing! And to find out the story behind this was most surprising to me!

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  5. I love Edith Piaf so that is how I first heard this song. It suits her soaring voice so well.

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    1. You know I had to look up her singing "La Marseillaise".
      Formidable! (Pronounce that in a French accent!)

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  6. I remember the Brown's version of this song.

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    1. I have known The Browns version since I was a kid. I only learned the background of this song, so that is why I had to do a post about it! :-)

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  7. What a sweet, touching song this is! It's been so long since i'd heard it, that i had forgotten.

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    1. I wish we could bring back songs like this. When is the last time you heard a song described as "sweet"?

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  8. Hi Kay! I've haven't heard this song in forever, but the moment the Browns started singing every word came back! I was really interested in what you had to say about the meeting regrading the draining of the Panola Mountain Lakes. Earthen dams can collapse suddenly, and that is no joke. If the public keeps the pressure on maybe they will make a streamed wetland and save that second dam. Kuddos to you for going to that meeting after work. The older you get the harder it is to do something like that. But it's so important to speak up. Thanks for remembering the Armenian Genocide. So many terrible things have been done to people over the centuries. We have to keep the memory of terrible things like this alive, so that maybe we can prevent other atrocities. I can see why your dad was excited over the rose breasted grosbeak ~ what a striking bird; and what a beautiful song it has. Sometimes you make me think of the Lorax! Sorry I've been so in and out on your blog. I feel like I'm chasing my tail much of the time. Having Terry retired and home has been a wonderful distraction, even if it has thrown my schedule completely off the tracks. Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Being compared to the Lorax...Louise, you have made my day. I LOVE that Dr. Seuss story, and you must know I am a HUGE fan of Dr. Seuss!
      I don't understand the way that people won't recognize history due to the fact that some people might be offended. I am from the South where those of color were once routinely lynched but hardly anyone wants to acknowledge this fact. As you say, keep the memory of this alive, so that we won't let this happen again!!
      My Dad was so happy about that bird, I had to share it on my blog!
      And hey, I am very happy to see a comment from you, visit me whenever you like, my friend! Happy Spring to you! xx

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  9. This was such an interesting and fun post. I used to love that song when I was a kid. What fun to hear a version in French.

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    1. Interesting and fun! Oh Kay, you are like a sweet sister to me. 'Thank you!

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  10. I don't know this song at all but the story behind it was so interesting. I'm glad you have such a curious mind to find out all this information for us. x

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    1. Stay curious! That is my motto! Well, one of them anyway. LOL.
      Glad you find this interesting too!

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  11. Never heard either song but you can almost tell the era just from the song structure and style of singing. Each decade has more or less a unique sound. Takes me back to my childhood of old valve radios and Casey Jones and his Cannonball Express on the tiny black and white TV. Still remember the smell of both items heating up.

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    1. "Both items heating up", that makes me wonder what kids would do now if they had to wait for something to heat up!

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  12. What an amazing flashback Kay. I knew this song well but had forgotten all about it. Wonderful.

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    1. All of the records that my Dad got for us from Ralph Raper are so ingrained into my memory! I really could spend hours researching all the things that come to my mind...and I do!

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  13. In fact I know my Mum and Dad had it on a 78. I shall have to explore the old collection in the loft when I get a chance.

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    1. Oh yes, please do! And I would love to know what else is in the record collection in your loft! Do tell! :-)

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    2. It's on the 'to do' list Kay. I have a feeling that the 'B' side was The Bells of St Mary's'.

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  14. I am so sorry, Kay....Knowing how old they were I did some checking and Paul passed away in 2008 and Stephanie two years later. They were wonderful people but I was out of touch with a lot when Paul (my husband) was ill. Others are living in their house now, so the address is not good.

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    1. Oh, I am sorry that they passed away. I really do love their book.
      The comment where you left the address was deleted so that no one could get that address.
      I will do a post about the book. Thanks again for telling me about it.

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  15. I love this old song, both in English and French. I enjoyed hearing the story behind it.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you! I do enjoy finding out background information to things!
      xx

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  16. Dear Kay G,
    Many thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind comment! At a moment where I face difficulties and considered stopping blogging, you changed my mind...I would miss it very much but then committing to posts is a matter of having something to share. Reading has been difficult in the last 6 months and I am after all a book reviewer...Still, I realized this wee morning it is worth hanging in here and all because of a single visit to a little blog in Georgia! Much obliged Dearie!!
    Ta-ra for now,
    P.S. Would you tell me a little about your banner?

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    1. Dear Noelle,
      THANK YOU! I can't thank you enough, you have made my day!
      I can't think how I found your blog, but I feel as if I have found a kindred spirit! If you are mainly a book reviewer, I take my hat off to you. I love to read, but I find writing book reviews the hardest thing to do. I just want to say, this is a good book, READ IT!!!
      And if by banner, you mean the photo that I have at the top of my blog just now...it is my beloved Arabia Mountain, with the bright red diamorpha.
      (I have written LOADS about Arabia Mountain, I drive people crazy!!)
      TTFN. (Just read "Dear Stephanie, Dear Paul" and the English woman, Stephanie often wrote that at the end of her letters!

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  17. Hi Kay

    That is a wonderfully stirring and muscular version by Edith Piaf and crew.

    Over here it was a hit for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes. Brian was known as 'The Singing Butcher' and is still going. I am sure Rick will remember them.

    Take Care

    Henry

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