{"collection":"bos","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bos/bos507.htm","path":"bos/bos507.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bos/bos507.htm","text":"Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999]\n \n \n \n * \n \n BEDLAM BELLS \n -Joe Bethancourt \n (c) copyright 1992 W.J. Bethancourt III\n (Tune: \"Mad Maudlin\" aka \"Tom O'Bedlam\")\n \n Written as a theme song for the Bedlam Bells Morris dance troupe, and\n originally improvised at WesterCon 45, Phoenix, AZ.\n \n Tune guitar: DADGBD \n \n Out upon the Borderlands \n I've watched the stars a-falling \n I've drunk deep from Mad River and \n I've heard my soul a-calling \n \n CHORUS: Still I sing bonny bells, bonny mad bells,\n Bedlam Bells are bonny! \n For we all go bare and we live by the air\n And we want your drink and money!\n \n I now repent that ever My staff hath murder'd giants \n Myself was so disdain-ed My bells can call the thunder!\n My wits are lost since me I cros't I stamp my feet and tread the dance\n Which makes me go thus chain-ed And split the sky in sunder!\n \n To find our wits in Bordertown, My horn is made of Elven-blades, \n Ten thousand years we'll travel I stole it cross the Border!\n And maudlin go on dancing toes, The rainbow there is this I wear \n To save our shoes from gravel For my wits are out of order!\n \n I crossed into fair Elfland I went to Digger's Kitchen \n To find the soul I'd squandered To beg some food one morning\n To hunt my sighs in children's eyes I got my dreams served piping hot\n But still my soul had wandered And saw a city burning\n \n I had an Elfin lady, I'll wander thru the Borderlands\n And took her for to wife me With feathers in my hair-o\n She sleeps the day, she sings the night With my true love close to my side\n And hearkens to delight me! And back and sides go bare-o!\n \n Both in and out of Bordertown I'll dance the day, I'll dance the night\n I've drank Mad River's water And spend my time a-singing\n And stood upon the Bridge O'Dread Dance out the old, ring in the new\n And watched the sudden slaughter! With Bedlam Bells a-ringing!\n \n Take a drink for Tom of Bedlam\n Take a drink from the river's water!\n And speak in sighs from darkened eyes\n And court the River's daughter!\n \n * \n \n \n \n \n \n * \n 2292","title":"Internet Book of Shadows: Bedlam Bells","type":"page"}