Ring the Jesus Bell by Mark Lajoie

Ring the Jesus Bell by Mark Lajoie
Copyright 2011 SR 679-889 (as “Ring the Judas Bell”)
UPC 650311457668
ISRC QZX882316642

Let it be known that some AI-generated images from Canva were used in this production, though, reluctantly! In this one case, telling a fable-type story, it seemed to work very well for the opening scenes. The video was created in Clipchamp.

I wrote the basic version of this song when I was a boy. I recently re-worked it a bit and did a homemade recording using Noteworthy Composer, GarageBand and Audacity.

The story is very loosely based on the teen novel, "Ring the Judas Bell" by James Forman. The only direct 'quote' from the story is the scene where the wolves surrounded the boy. Otherwise, it is an allegorical tale about our current situation. The answer to our common near-total, Judas-like betrayal of all that is good now, is to set our "heart ringing that Glorious Name", "the One Who is our only Way"....

You can get connected to other music by Living Waters Music via https://linktr.ee/LivingWatersMsc

A long time ago, but not so far away
In a little town, call it what you may…
The people turned away, oh, yes, they did betray
The One Who is our only Way!

A young boy cried, “there’s something wrong!
You don’t know what could happen before long!”
But the people would not listen,
And on his cheek a teardrop glistened

And the people cried,
“Ring the Judas Bell! Ring the Judas Bell! Ring the Judas Bell!”
And the people cried,
“Ring the Judas Bell! Ring the Judas Bell! Ring the Judas Bell!”

So, off the young boy wandered alone,
In the bitter winter cold
Searching for some piece of mind
Not really knowing what he’d find…

Let me tell you now!
Down in the valley! Down in the valley!
The wolves surrounded a boy,
Let me tell you now!
Down in the valley! Down in the valley!
The wolves have gone away!
A miracle has occurred!

The miracle isn’t that the wolves went away.
It’s that a man of God is here to stay!

Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! (repeat)

So back into the town he came, his heart ringing that Glorious Name!
And though he did not say a word, it was if the people had heard…

And the people cried,
Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! (repeat)

Levons nos yeux a Jesus! Let’s raise our eyes now to Jesus Christ!
We’ve rung the Judas bell. It doesn’t ring true.
Bien, levons nos yeux a cette heure a Jesus!

Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell! (repeat 2x)
Ring the Jesus bell! Ring the Jesus bell!