RING OUT WILD BELLS

Listen to the brand new recording of Ring Out, Wild Bells.
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Website: www.alanalevandoski.com
Lyrics: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Music: Alana Levandoski
Video produced and performed by: Alana Levandoski
Song produced by: Alana Levandoski
All instruments by: Alana Levandoski
In 1850 Tennyson published a requiem called In Memoriam, written as he grieved the sudden death of his sister's fiancé, who was also a beloved friend. The poem Ring Out, Wild Bells, oft-used to ring in the New Year, was part of that requiem.
In my own more roots-oriented style, I composed music for this poem because I was drawn to the universal hope and longing contained within the poem. It is overreaching, and perhaps naive, especially in light of the colonialism of Tennyson's time, and that two world wars were on their way, that would catapult a technology that was rooted in destructive ideas, rather than life-giving ideas.
Still, I was drawn to how universal the sincerity of the longing was.
I decided to have a steampunk-themed video, because steampunk was inspired by early tech and the victorian era... and as a contemplative Christian, I wanted to push the envelope a bit... in terms of the boxes we put ourselves into.
This year has been strange and difficult, and filled with suffering. And invoking a bit of the sacred clown energy, I decided to bring in a bit of burlesque, to offset the "awful solemnity" (as Thomas Merton called it) I am seeing, especially in spaces of comfort and privilege. I sometimes struggle with awful solemnity... and it renders me unable to find the infinite possibilities for traction that we have... to work collectively toward true equity, which is what, I think, this song is longing for.
I think this song is a prayer for JUBILEE. Forgive us our debts.
And... from a 21st century perspective, part of my work is to draw attention to the debts owed to people of colour, and indigenous people. When I sing this song, and invoke the words "purer laws", I imagine (at the very least), archaic policies in Canada, harmonizing with the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights. When I sing "ring out the narrowing lust of gold", I imagine a time when a critical mass of people who own more than their fair share of land, participates in a phenomenal movement of land reparations, and all the young people of colour who want to farm, can own land, and have total sovereignty. When I sing "ring in the Christ that is to be", I imagine a day when the over 27,000,000 people still who are enslaved today, are raised the very highest of all.
In other words, I didn't record this song as an excuse to bypass the heavy lifting that is ahead, for especially people who live with more comfort than is good for them. I wrote, and recorded this for the longing... and the vision... and maybe it was naïve of me... but I still hope for epiphany... which is just around the corner from New Years!!!

[@paulharvey2396]

Listened again and I like it more and more God bless you amen

[@judyking9665]

Superb! Beautifully sung, performed, arranged

[@user-vs4bv2wu4o]

Your version of this is the best, Alana. I've listened to it for the last three years. Thank you, and Happy New Year with many blessings!

[@jl1935]

I could listen to this a hundred times and still be moved by it. Thanks Alana for putting your beautiful voice to a beautiful poem! XOXO

[@dbeatty]

Wonderful way to wish this year done. Thanks!

[@francjonsn]

Wow!

[@garyhomewood7638]

Absolutely fabulous! Utterly compelling. I have listened to it dozens of times and I never grow tired of hearing it.

[@pingram]

Great work, great voice, awesome music!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you! Happy New Year!

[@karenmparmiter8389]

Who could ever say, sing and play this better than Alana? Nobody. Sharing again! Thank you for bringing love and grace to the forefront! We all need it so much! Happiness to you for all you do.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Gosh... thanks Karen :)

[@aprilbrenneman6607]

Thank you Alana. I moved and sang along with your song/video this evening as my contemplative prayer time. I lit a candle and struck a bell a few times. My heart feels lighter. My face is smiling. Thank you for coming out of the contemplative box for a bit.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you April! Glad to know you moved to it too!

[@danhenry6894]

Heard this for the first time today. I can't stop listening. I've passed it along to others. So bittersweet and hopeful. Thanks so much for this.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Dan! Great description... bittersweet and hopeful...

[@mikeculloty276]

Had to listen to this three times on first listen. Really lovely Alana. Letting go and letting in Love-how much we need each movement as the year ends, God bless you and happy new year to you and your.

[@jillflohil6876]

So amazing! Just love this.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Jill!

[@inclarity360-resumeexperts4]

I have listened to this over and over again. It is so healing. Thank you!

[@leslieligon3565]

I agree, Heather. In this second year of our lord, COVID-21, after earlier having my heart held above my chest while strangers changed the oil and replaced a valve, today, upon hearing of Betty White's death just days before her 100th birthday, this song is like a soothing salve. Thank you, indeed, Alana!

[@cheekiweeki]

This is absolutely FABULOUS! Let every word come true and let us hope that 2022 is the end of the evil that mankind has had to bear and the beginning of more true life, love, joy, caring, kindness, light and freedom.

[@paulharvey2396]

Happy singer I felt love singing here thank you for this gift God bless you amen

[@williamgarrett7246]

Thank you for sharing your composition. This is a beautiful and meaningful poem and your performance is really touching.

[@jorobo1952]

What a beautiful musical adaptation of a wonderful Tennyson poem, love the upbeat version you have done here and the message of hope you are giving out just brilliant thank you 🙏🌟🌟🌟

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you John!

[@jacquelinesamson2842]

Yeah...the perfect hymn to ring out 2020 and ring in 2021!! Thank you so very much, Alana!!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

You are welcome Jacqueline!

[@dbeatty]

And still perfect for 2021 to 2022!

[@catherinemcconnell571]

Thanks Anne for sharing this - it's just beautiful!

[@gabriellecheung578]

Go girl! 🔥🤗💞 Thanks Alana for going a bit wild!

[@johnrebstock4622]

Thank you so much. Multiple listens are helping me experience the grief and joy that this change of years calls for.

[@iandrower7974]

Thank you, Alana. So moved by your interpretation and music. Just alerted to this by a friend who follows you. Why did he take so long? Have listened to it a number of times since yesterday. Like you say, I'm a real fan of Emmylou Harris, have been for years and you are similar. Lots of love looking for more

[@EdmundOConnell3rd]

Tonight, New Years Eve 2020, this video and this song will be playing at midnight on our big-screen TV as my wife and toast out the old and toast in the new, alone for safety, and probably tearful, but feeling, in your performance, hopeful determination. Thank you, Alana, for making another best thing.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

My Ian and I will help you bring on the holy tears and toast in the new along with you Edmund!

[@marilynbaxter4462]

Love the song and the costumes 😍

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thanks! I had so much fun with the costumes :)

[@marilynbaxter4462]

@@AlanaLevandoskimusic We do Steampunk too!

[@annerath]

I love this Alana. Sharing it with my friends. A lovely way to ring out the old and ring in the new. Hope to see you soon!!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Hi Anne! I sure miss Ireland and have such fond memories of Lismore!

[@evadueck643]

Love, love, love!!!

[@robinaggus5050]

I shared this video around the village today and it was a hit. This evening we played your melody outside with bagpipe and accordion following a record 245 bell rings from the old church on the hill. Thank you for this Alana.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

What a wonderful story Robin! Was it filmed or recorded? I'd love to hear it!

[@rosemarysheridan390]

My mind, heart, and soul thank yours for uniting each of us in your creativity, Alana!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thanks Grandma Rosemary!

[@vicbartel7548]

Well done Alana! Very artistic and yet simple and powerful! Thank you!

[@andreaglassman2671]

So moving! Beautiful adaption to a lovely poem

[@eyoungg]

This is a timeless song and you do it so well.

[@crickethall5716]

This is a beautiful rendition. Thank you also for your words/ 4

[@marytravis9172]

Thank you Alana!! Beautiful, moving, uplifting, and I love your costumes!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thanks Mary! I loved dressing up for this :)

[@patrickivers1970]

Sending this out to my family & friends.

[@jimheck6742]

Beautiful

[@audreybrendel303]

Alana, this made me nod, and move, and smile. Thanks for letting your artistic creativity shine here.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Audrey!

[@judyking7708]

This is just stunning Alana. Beautiful, creative, novel AND deep! Congratulations

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Judy.

[@byronmcmillan5831]

Thank you so much, Alana, for this beautiful, powerful and poignant song. I shared it with the 80+ men in our Illuman Liberty & Justice Course where we are confronting our nation's white supremacist legacy. Your name came up in a comment where a white brother quoted you while sharing his acknowledgment, pain and respect for the sacrifice and suffering rendered upon our indigenous brothers and sisters whose land we all live, move and have our being upon. Keep up the great work, sister!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Hi Byron. Thank-you so much for sharing this. That this course is happening makes me so filled with hope and joy. Glad to have been a part of it in some way. Truly.

[@dennissmith5876]

Wonderful, thankyou.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Dennis.

[@cathymannchristiansen3042]

Wow, fantastically done. So fun. Thank you.

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thank-you Cathy!

[@evadueck643]

Have shared with friends and family.

[@haiticompanions8181]

I love this!

[@AlanaLevandoskimusic]

Thanks so much :)

[@onebourbononescotch]

2020 is dying in the night. Ring out wild bells and let 2020 die!!!!!

[@joank1643]

Alana’s other video of this song is delightful, highly recommend that one kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpPRpHyvmcaMj8k