The Bell Above the Door

Lyrics

Thirty years he turned the sign
From closed to open, right on time
The scales, the shelves, the tins in rows
He knew the names of all who chose

Today he hands the keys across
To a young man gentle at the loss
He says, the till sticks on the left
And the bell will ring for all who step

The bell above the door, it rings
For the old, the young, and all the things
We carry in and carry out
Of hope and hurry, joy and doubt
The bell above the door, it sings
A small hello to everything
Let it ring for another year
Let it tell them all, you're welcome here

The old man stands out on the walk
Too full of memories to talk
The new man smiles and turns the sign
And all the street falls into line

The bell above the door, it rings
For the old, the young, and all the things
We carry in and carry out
Of hope and hurry, joy and doubt
The bell above the door, it sings
A small hello to everything
Let it ring for another year
Let it tell them all, you're welcome here

Nothing ends, it only changes hands
Like a story told in other lands
But I will always hear that chime
Keeping a corner of my time

The bell above the door, it rings
For the old, the young, and all the things
We carry in and carry out
Of hope and hurry, joy and doubt
The bell above the door, it sings
A small hello to everything
Let it ring for another year
Let it tell them all, you're welcome here

Ring on, little bell, ring on
Welcome all, the day's begun