THE BROKEN BELL song lyrics
by Joel Sattler based on a poem by Baudelaire

[based on a translation of LA CLOCHE FÊLÉE
from FLEURS DU MAL by Charles Baudelaire]

in winter nights both bitter and sweet
to hear the fire from the throbbing logs
distant memories rise complete
at the sound of chimes that sing in the fog

blessed be bel canto bells
despite old age alert and strong
to hurl the sacred cry from Hell
like an old vet in tent his song

my soul's a broken bell and blight
my songs that once rang through cold nights
are timid now in the star light

like from the throat of one who lies
beneath the mounds of bodies tries
to sing once more before he dies

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