Hymn Story: When they Ring those Golden Bells
Daniel de Marbelle wrote “When they Ring Those Golden Bells” in 1887.
The song describes a phrase found in the Bible with a “golden bells” a reference found in Exodus 39:25. “And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates.”
de Marbelle was a European immigrant, veteran of the American Civil War and Mexican War, and circus leader. Marbelle was purportedly cheated out of the copyright to the song and died penniless.
The first known recording of the song was in 1915 by the Imperial Quartet.
The John Church Company would eventually obtain the copyright for the hymn.
Over the years many notable artists have recorded the song including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
