Ding Dong Merrily on High - Chords, Lyrics and Origins

Origins

Ding Dong Merrily on High's jaunty tune is very old.  It was first published in the sixteenth century.  The words are by George Ratcliffe Woodward, a British priest and lyricist who died in 1934.  Interestingly, bell ringing was one of Woodward's hobbies.

Chords

G                Am             D
Ding dong merrily on high,

G  C                 D7            G
In heaven the bells are ringing.

G                Am           D
Ding dong verily the sky

G  C               D7       G
Is riven with angels singing.




Bm      E7     Am    D7    G    D    Em     Am    D7    Em     A7    D7    G
Glor     -    or    -     or    -    or   -    or    -    or     -   or     -   or     -       ia,

     C        D7    G
Hosanna in excelsis!

Bm      E7     Am    D7    G    D    Em     Am    D7    Em     A7    D7    G
Glor     -    or    -     or    -    or   -    or    -    or     -   or     -   or     -       ia,

     C        D7    G
Hosanna in excelsis!

Lyrics

Ding dong merrily on high,
In heaven the bells are ringing.
Ding dong verily the sky
Is riven with angels singing.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

And on Earth below below, let steeple bells be swungen,
And i-o, i-o, i-o, by priest and people sungen.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you dutifully prime your matin chime, you ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme your eve-time song, you singers.

Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!