And Heaven and Nature Sing
On the first day of spring, the carillon suddenly starts playing itself. The bells peal out “Joy to the World”, as the campus bursts into life with fresh rain and pockets of green.
We leave our offices, dorms, classrooms and study carrels to pour onto the quad and witness the miracle. Our beloved carillonneur is gone, but his music lives on in the bells, and in all of us.
We dance in the rain, laughing, crying. We are young, old, ageless. We are grounded in earth, aligned with the heavens.
Life never ends, the bells tell us, and we listen.
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This story honors the memory of Sam Hammond, who played the carillon at Duke University Chapel for 53 years. I was lucky enough to get to know Sam when I was an undergraduate at Duke. As a work-study student, I worked in the music library under his loving tutelage, where I learned all about the rare books. He also taught me about the bells in the carillon. Every weekday for 53 years, he played a 5 pm concert, beginning with chiming the hour. You can learn more about the carillon here.
I’m also honoring my Dad, a wonderfully wild Methodist minister who had his congregations singing “Joy to the World” in the middle of July. “Joy is not limited to the Christmas season,” he liked to say. I thought the first day of spring would be a perfect time for the hymn to peal from the Duke Chapel bell tower.
Finally, the picture is a painting of Duke Chapel. Four of Dad’s five children went to school at Duke, and he and Mom met at Duke Divinity School and were married in the Chapel.
I love this, Julie. Joy to the World has always been my favourite carol. I was in the school choir and when we got to that song in our repertoire, I always felt my heart lift, it really is a song to make you feel joyful, so I can fully understand how the students / teachers et al would feel at hearing this – especially as the carillonneur is no longer with them. I love to think that it’s his ghost pulling on the chiming ropes!
Carrie, I am thrilled that you loved this story. I really didn’t know if it would resonate with anyone. By the way, the carillon doesn’t have ropes like the bell ringers in England. There is a keyboard with large “bars” that the carillon player plays with a fisted hand. There are also foot pedals. One person can play as many as six notes/bells at the same time. That’s not a great idea, of course, since the overtones are powerful and long-lasting. I put a link to an article about carillons at the top of these comments, which includes a carillon piece being played from Duke Chapel. Enjoy!
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‘Joy to the World’ is such a rousing anthem, Julie, who couldn’t be stirred by it? You always bring us such wonderful stories behind the music that features in your stories, which is a joy in itself. Thank you for sharing them. I loved this story and everyone, at least once, should dance in the rain.
“Aligned with the heavens” are such powerful words, Julie. Great writing.
Oh! “Joy to the world ” was also one of my favorite carol songs. Your story is very powerful and ageless. And you’re right: “Life never ends, the bells tell us, and we listen.” Well done, Julie.
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Another great music story, Julie. While reading, I can sense your gratitude and joy remembering the carillon music, the University, and your studies there. What a joy!
Did you get to play the carillon yourself? Watching the video clip, I got the impression that it must feel awkward for a pianist to play with fisted hands.