Hymn for King Charles III

The Abbey Bells are ringing
In peals of joy and praise
The homage to our monarch
Our voices now we raise
The Commonwealth, the Islands,
the jubilation share, as at his throne and crowning,
We hope and glory share.

The Abbey Bells are ringing
The burdens, tasks and prayer,
A stand for peace with justice, for poor,
the need of care. The zeal, the orb and sceptre,
his kingly presence hail
The people now in chorus,
Vivat they do declare.

The Abbey Bells are ringing,
God Save the King exclaim
With hearts and hands and voices,
As Christ our King too, reigns.
The past, the now and ever
The dawning day at hand,
God bless his reign with splendour
with joy across the land

The Coronation bells ring,
the people in procession,  
the chimes still sway with vigour,
they ring, we sing, we pray,  
with vivat ALLELUIA
a kingly crown to gain
Good health, long life and blessings,
our  Sovereign on life’s way


JM Rosenthal
Laetare Sunday 2023
Tune: Ewing