Look at the world, it’s waking up
I couldn’t sleep for dreaming
My weary soul is finally home
I had the strangest feeling
This is the dawn, the break of day
After the midnight parted
These ringing ears have waited years
To hear the bells of Harlem
Far down the streets, I see the sign
The crowd is breathing faster
Some must have walked a hundred blocks
I see the flocks in pastures
Oh what a time to be alive
These are the pasts forgotten
It’s been a long and lonely night
I hear the bells of Harlem
They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing
The darkest hour is passed
They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing
A little joy at long last
The darkest rose, ain’t no more cane
We grind it down to sawdust
We couldn’t stop the freedom train
I hear the bells of Harlem
