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Strike The Bell

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse]
GOut on the poop deck a-Cwalkin' about
GThere stands the second mate so Dsturdy and so stout
GWhat he is thinking of he Conly knows himself
Oh, we Dwish that he would hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Chorus]
DStrike the bell second mate, Glet us go below
CLook well to windward you can Gsee it's gonna Dblow;
GLook at the glass, you can Csee it has fell
Oh we Dwish that you would hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Verse]
GDown on the main deck and Cworkin' at the pumps,
GThere is the larboard watch a-Dlonging for their bunks;
They Glook out to windward and Csee a great swell,
They are Dwishing that you'd hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Chorus]
DStrike the bell second mate, Glet us go below
CLook well to windward you can Gsee it's gonna Dblow;
GLook at the glass, you can Csee it has fell
Oh we Dwish that you would hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Verse]
GForward on the forecastle and Ckeepin' sharp lookout,
GThere is Johnny standin', a-Dlongin' fer to shout,
GLights' a-burnin' bright sir and Ceverything is well,
And he's Dwishin' that the second mate would Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Chorus]
DStrike the bell second mate, Glet us go below
CLook well to windward you can Gsee it's gonna Dblow;
GLook at the glass, you can Csee it has fell
Oh we Dwish that you would hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Verse]
GAft at the wheelhouse old CAnderson stands,
GGraspin' at the helm with his Dfrostbitten hands,
GLookin' at the compass through the Ccourse is clear as hell
And he's Dwishin' that the second mate would Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Chorus]
DStrike the bell second mate, Glet us go below
CLook well to windward you can Gsee it's gonna Dblow;
GLook at the glass, you can Csee it has fell
Oh we Dwish that you would hurry up and Gstrike, strike the bell.
[Verse]
GAft on the quarter deck our Cgallant captain stands,
GLookin' out to windward with a Dspyglass in his hand,
GWhat he is a-thinkin' of we Cknow very well,
He's Dthinkin' more of shortenin' sail than Gstrikin' the bell.

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This traditional sea shanty captures the urgent life aboard a sailing ship, where every action has immediate consequences. It paints a picture of a sailor on the poop deck, observing the changing weather, knowing a storm is brewing. There's a palpable tension between the immediate need to "strike the bell" (a signal for changing watch or course) and the more pressing concern of shortening sail to weather the coming blow. It's a song about the constant vigilance and quick decisions demanded by the sea.

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Strike The Bell

Strike The Bell

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Strike The Bell

by Misc Traditional

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

G C

Out on the poop deck a-walkin' about

G D

There stands the second mate so sturdy and so stout

G C

What he is thinking of he only knows himself

D G

Oh, we wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Chorus]

D G

Strike the bell second mate, let us go below

C G D

Look well to windward you can see it's gonna blow;

G C

Look at the glass, you can see it has fell

D G

Oh we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Verse]

G C

Down on the main deck and workin' at the pumps,

G D

There is the larboard watch a-longing for their bunks;

G C

They look out to windward and see a great swell,

D G

They are wishing that you'd hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Chorus]

D G

Strike the bell second mate, let us go below

C G D

Look well to windward you can see it's gonna blow;

G C

Look at the glass, you can see it has fell

D G

Oh we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Verse]

G C

Forward on the forecastle and keepin' sharp lookout,

G D

There is Johnny standin', a-longin' fer to shout,

G C

Lights' a-burnin' bright sir and everything is well,

D G

And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell.

[Chorus]

D G

Strike the bell second mate, let us go below

C G D

Look well to windward you can see it's gonna blow;

G C

Look at the glass, you can see it has fell

D G

Oh we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Verse]

G C

Aft at the wheelhouse old Anderson stands,

G D

Graspin' at the helm with his frostbitten hands,

G C

Lookin' at the compass through the course is clear as hell

D G

And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell.

[Chorus]

D G

Strike the bell second mate, let us go below

C G D

Look well to windward you can see it's gonna blow;

G C

Look at the glass, you can see it has fell

D G

Oh we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

[Verse]

G C

Aft on the quarter deck our gallant captain stands,

G D

Lookin' out to windward with a spyglass in his hand,

G C

What he is a-thinkin' of we know very well,

D G

He's thinkin' more of shortenin' sail than strikin' the bell.

About Strike The Bell Chords by Misc Traditional

Learn how to play Strike The Bell by Misc Traditional with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Strike The Bell chords”, “Strike The Bell guitar chords”, or “Misc Traditional Strike The Bell chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Strike The Bell chords and for experienced players who want accurate Strike The Bell lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D.

FAQ — Strike The Bell by Misc Traditional

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What key is "Strike The Bell" in?

The chords for "Strike The Bell" show the original chord names (including G, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.