Julian of Norwich (c. 1342-c. 1416) was an English anchoress, living in a cell next to a church building and giving spiritual counsel to people. She lived during a time ravaged by war, economic distress, and the Plague. She fell gravely ill and had a series of visions of Jesus, which she eventually wrote about and published.
The song "Bells of Norwich," about Julian, was written by the English songwriter Sydney Carter (1915-2004).
Loud are the bells of Norwich
And the people come and go
Here by the tower of Julian
I tell them what I know:
Ring out, bells of Norwich
And let the winter come and go
All shall be well again, I know.
Love, like the yellow daffodil
Is coming through the snow
Love, like the yellow daffodil
Is Lord of all I know.
Ring out, bells of Norwich
And let the winter come and go
All shall be well again, I know.
Ring for the yellow daffodil,
The flower in the snow
Ring for the yellow daffodil
And tell them what I know:
All shall be well, I'm telling you
Let the winter come and go
All shall be well again, I know.
