Look at the world, it's waking up
I couldn't sleep for dreaming
My weary soul is finally home
I had the strangest feeling

This is the dawn, the break of day
After the midnight pardon
These ringing ears have waited years
To hear the bells of Harlem

Far down the streets, I see the sign
The crowd is breathing faster
Some must have walked a hundred blocks
I see the flocks in pastures

Oh, what a time to be alive
Tears of the past forgotten
It's been a long and lonely night
I hear the bells of Harlem

They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing
The darkest hour has passed
They ring, they ring, they sing, they sing
A little joy at long last

[Incomprehensible] We grind it down to sorghum
We couldn't stop the freedom train
I hear the bells of Harlem