A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.

XXI. In summertime on Bredon

Bredon 1 Hill

IN summertime on Bredon

The bells they sound so clear;

Round both the shires they ring them

In steeples far and near,

A happy noise to hear.

Here of a Sunday morning

My love and I would lie,

And see the coloured counties,

And hear the larks so high

About us in the sky.

The bells would ring to call her

In valleys miles away:

‘Come all to church, good people;

Good people, come and pray.’

But here my love would stay.

And I would turn and answer

Among the springing thyme,

‘Oh, peal upon our wedding,

And we will hear the chime,

And come to church in time.’

But when the snows at Christmas

On Bredon top were strown,

My love rose up so early

And stole out unbeknown

And went to church alone.

They tolled the one bell only,

Groom there was none to see,

The mourners followed after,

And so to church went she,

And would not wait for me.

The bells they sound on Bredon,

And still the steeples hum.

‘Come all to church, good people,’—

Oh, noisy bells, be dumb;

I hear you, I will come.

Title Note: Pronounced Breedon.