Octatonic

Octatonic

Ring out the bells,
The carousels,
The minor-thirded
Murder swells !
The long-sustaining,
Over-reigning,
Peace-destroying,
Cloying bells.

Some use clappers,
Some use hammers,
Gentle tappers,
Noisy clamours,
Hear their sobbing
Undertones
Then feel their throbbing
In our bones.
From wedding airs to fun’ral songs,
Let swing those gothic gongs !

Ring out the bells,
The peels of spells,
From churchy chimes
To grimy hells.
The long-decaying,
Belfry-swaying,
Steeple-hanging,
Clanging bells.

Some say angel,
Some say villain,
Pure or painful,
Each carillon.
Hear them numbing,
Hear them mourns,
In want of drumming,
Lacking horns.
From monast’ries to citadels,
Let speak the tongues of bells.