The Browns - Three Bells

The Three Bells

The Browns performs "Three Bells"

"The Three Bells", also known as "Jimmy Brown" or "Little Jimmy Brown", is a song made popular by the Browns in 1959.The single reached number one in the U.S. on Billboard's Hot C&W Sides chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart, outperforming a competing version by Dick Flood. The version by the Browns also hit number ten on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart.It was based on the 1945 French language song "Les trois cloches" written and composed by Swiss artist Jean Villard Gilles. It was later on arranged by Marc Herrand. The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld and first recorded by the Melody Maids in 1948. The song was a major 1952–53 hit by Édith Piaf and Les Compagnons de la chanson. The song documents three stages of the life of "Jimmy Brown"—his birth, his marriage, and his death. The Browns' male vocalist, Jim Ed Brown, coincidentally had the same name as the song's character. Most articles link the song "The three bells" or "Little Jimmy Brown" to the original French song "Les Trois Cloches".

The Browns - Three Bells Lyrics

There's a village, hidden deep in the valley,

Among the pine trees, half forlorn.

And there, on a sunny morning,

Little Jimmy Brown was born.

All the chapel bells were ringing, in the little village town,

And the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown.

And the little congregation prayed for guidance from above:

'Lead us not into temptation, bless this hour of meditation.

Guide him with eternal love.'

There's a village, hidden deep in the valley,

Beneath the mountains high above.

And there, twenty years thereafter,

Jimmy was to meet his love.

All the chapel bells were ringing, ‘Twas a great day in his life,

Cause the song that they were singing was for Jimmy and his wife.

And the little congregation prayed for guidance from above:

'Lead us not into temptation, bless, O Lord, this celebration.

May their lives be filled with love.'

From the village, hidden deep in the valley,

One rainy morning dark and gray,

A soul winged it's way to heaven.

Jimmy Brown had passed away.

Just one lonely bell was ringing, in the little village town,

‘Twas farewell that it was singing to our buddy Jimmy Brown.

And the little congregation prayed for guidance from above:

'Lead us not into temptation, may his soul find the salvation

Of thy great eternal love.