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When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging Lyrics by Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers

The Firebrand of Florence

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[NARRATOR, spoken]
We start our play in tragic times
In Florence, where we hear the chimes
Of doom-filled bells, a fearful day
The famous man who's due to pay
Is Benvenuto Cellini, one
Who laughs and loves and lives for fun
He'll hang for fighting Maffio
Or will he? Well, let's start our show
[HANGMAN]
When the bell of doom is clanging
For the man awaiting hanging
Let's face the fact with no misgiving:
One man's death is another man's living!
[GALLOWS BUILDERS]
One man's death is another man's living
Under the gallows tree
With union pay
We sing all day
The whilе our hammers bang
If the world doesn't likе it
The world can go hang
Under the gallows tree!
Oh, riddle dee diddle dee dee!
Oh, under the gallows tree!
[HANGMAN]
There are those who have me baffled
They refuse to choose the scaffold
To die in bed than hang they'd ruther
Six of one, half a dozen of t'other
[GALLOWS BUILDERS]
One man's death is another man's living
Under the gallows tree
We earn our fee
Philosophically
The while our hammers bang
If the world doesn't like it
The world can go hang
Under the gallows tree!
Oh, riddle dee diddle dee dee!
Oh, under the gallows tree!
[TARTMAN]
Sweets and tarts!
Get your sweets and tarts!
Fill your stomachs
And warm the cockles of your hearts!
Sweets and tarts!
[SOUVENIR MAN, spoken]
Hey tartman! What's the idea?
There's nobody here yet!
[TARTMAN, spoken]
I was just warming up. 
[SOUVENIR MAN, spoken]
By Saint Veronica! Not a bad notion!
(sung)
Souvenirs! Hurry, hurry, hurry, get your souvenirs!
Souvenirs of the hanging of Cellini—
The greatest hanging of the season
Get your likeness of Benvenuto Cellini—
The occasion isn't complete without one!
Souvenirs! Hurry, hurry, hurry, get your souvenirs!
[MAFFIO]
How goes it, hangman?
[HANGMAN, spoken]
Almost ready, sir. Soon he'll bother you no more. 
[MAFFIO, spoken]
Are you sure this noose'll hold?
[HANGMAN, spoken]
I've never had a rope break on me yet, sir. 
[MAFFIO, spoken]
I want no slip-ups
(sung)
It was only by a stroke of Providence
That I survived his murderous attack
And now I want to see him dangling there
And I won't feel safe on this earth until I do
[HANGMAN, spoken]
It's a great day for me too, sir. 
(sung)
The most famous neck in Florence
(spoken)
But 'tis pity that with that neck passes a great talent. 
[MAFFIO, spoken]
Bah!
(sung)
Of sympathy I haven't any!
He's tried to kill one man too many!
[TARTMAN, SOUVENIR MAN]
Sweets and tarts! Souvenirs!
Get your sweets and tarts! Hurry, hurry, hurry
Fill your stomachs Get your souvenirs!
And warm the cockles of your hearts Souvenirs of the hanging of Cellini
Sweets and tarts! Souvenirs!
Sweets and tarts! Souvenirs!
Sweets and tarts!
[HANGMAN, spoken]
What a day!
[ENSEMBLE, spoken variously]
What a turnout!
What a turnout!
What a hanging!
What a hanging!
What a city!
What a city!
What a city!
(sung)
With nothing but pity
The folk we dismiss
Who live in a city
That's other than this
Credits
Simon Russell Beale

Simon Russell Beale

BBC Singers

BBC Singers

About “When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging” by Simon Russell Beale

Read the complete lyrics to "When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging" by Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers from the album "The Firebrand of Florence". On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Musicals, Pop.

"When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging" is performed by Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers. from the album "The Firebrand of Florence" This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging", explore more songs by Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging" is credited to Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"When the Bell of Doom Is Clanging" appears on "The Firebrand of Florence".

Visit the Simon Russell Beale, BBC Singers artist page at /artist/simon-russell-beale for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.