St. Paul's Steeple: A Nursery Rhyme and the Power of Bells
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
The nursery rhyme "St Paul's Steeple," was published in Walter Crane's beautifully illustrated The Baby's Opera. This book provides a delightful glimpse into a simpler time.This playful set of verses inadvertently introduces us to the profound and often awe-inspiring world of bell ringing – specifically, the captivating effects of a peal of bells and the intricate beauty of a carillon.
The Rhyme: "St. Paul's Steeple"
The rhyme itself is a simple yet evocative piece:
Upon Paul's steeple stands a tree,
As full of apples as may be,
The little boys of London town,
They run with hooks to pull them down,
And then they go from hedge to hedge,
Until they come to London Bridge.
While its origins are somewhat shrouded in time, the rhyme appears to refer to the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral in London, a landmark whose bells have rung out across the city for centuries. The "apples" and the "little boys of London Town" add a touch of whimsicalness, characteristic of many traditional nursery rhymes. However, it's the mention of the "steeple" that truly connects this seemingly innocuous verse to the powerful world of campanology.
You can view the delightful book on the following links
Public Domain links:
The Peal of Bells: A Symphony of Sound
When we think of church bells, we often picture a joyful, cascading sound. This is precisely what a "peal of bells" refers to. In the context of English change ringing, a peal is a continuous, unbroken performance of all the possible permutations of a set of bells, typically lasting for several hours. It's a highly skilled art form, requiring immense concentration and teamwork from the bellringers.
The effect of a peal is utterly immersive. The sound waves interweave, creating complex harmonics and rhythms that resonate through the air and the very ground beneath your feet. It's not just noise; it's a meticulously orchestrated symphony that can evoke a wide range of emotions, from solemn reverence to jubilant celebration. The sheer endurance and precision required to execute a peal transform the act of bell ringing into a truly captivating performance, an auditory tapestry woven with centuries of tradition.
The Carillon: A Musical Instrument of Grandeur
While a peal of bells focuses on permutations, a carillon takes bell ringing to another level, transforming a set of tuned bells into a genuine musical instrument. A carillon consists of at least 23 cast bronze bells, precisely tuned and arranged in chromatic sequence. These bells are played from a clavier, a keyboard and pedalboard system, allowing a carillonneur to perform complex melodies, harmonies, and even entire concertos.
The effect of a carillon is distinct from a peal. Instead of the intricate, interlocking patterns of change ringing, a carillon offers melodic richness and harmonic depth. The sound can be incredibly powerful, capable of carrying for miles, yet also surprisingly nuanced and expressive. From lively folk tunes to soaring classical compositions, the carillon creates a unique sonic landscape, filling the air with a majestic and often moving musical experience. It's a testament to human ingenuity, transforming massive bronze objects into instruments of delicate beauty and immense power.
Connecting the Past to the Present
"St. Paul's Steeple," in its simplicity, offers a doorway into this rich tradition. While the rhyme itself doesn't explicitly mention the ringing of bells, the very presence of a steeple implies the potential for their resounding voice. Whether experienced as the intricate dance of a peal or the melodic grandeur of a carillon, the sound of bells continues to connect us to history, community, and a profound sense of shared human experience. The "steeple" from the old nursery rhyme, therefore, is not just a high structure, but a symbol of the enduring power and beauty of bells.
Structure
This piece is included in the Triquetrae Music Programme as it features a descending major scale, a primary chord structure and fundamental musical grammar.
Pre-Requisite Skills
The song "English Country Gardens" is featured across multiple modules within the TQ Programme, each with specific learning objectives and prerequisites.
Level 1: Listen & Read (Scale Identification)
Prerequisite: To begin this activity, students should already be proficient in playing the major scale.
Level 2: Achieve (Instrumental Proficiency)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of this module for all instruments requires prior mastery of the note reading, scale, chords and the rhythm worksheet.
Level 2: Create (Lead Sheet Work)
Prerequisite: This activity builds directly upon the foundational knowledge gained by completing the chord pattern worksheets.
Level 2: Explore (Campanology)
Prerequisite: It would be beneficial to have played a simple set of handbells.
Level 3: Explore (Musicology)
Prerequisite: To complete this activity, students must be able to read either write music onto manuscript paper or use a music editing programme. Additionally, prior completion of the Level 3 Circle of Fifths worksheets is recommended.
Level 4: Explore (Histomusicology)
Prerequisite: The ability to play and read A major.
Digital Sheet Music Video
Download the TQ Level 2 Sheet Music
Quiz: Short-Answer Questions
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences, drawing exclusively from the information from this blog
Who were the three primary figures credited on the title page of The Baby's Opera, and what were their specific contributions to the book?
Summarize the content of the four verses of the rhyme "Natural History."
According to the provided analysis, what is a "peal of bells" in the context of English change ringing?
How is a "carillon" defined, and what mechanism is used to play it?
What specific musical characteristics of "St. Paul's Steeple" make it a suitable piece for inclusion in the Triquetrae Music Programme?
List the full lyrics of the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons" as presented in the source text.
What prerequisite is required for the Level 1 "Listen & Read" module in the TQ Programme, and what prerequisite is listed for the Level 4 "Explore" module?
Besides "St. Paul's Steeple," name five other rhymes listed in the table of contents for The Baby's Opera.
Describe the effect of a peal of bells versus the effect of a carillon, as detailed in the analysis.
What specific details are provided on the excerpt of sheet music for "St. Paul's Steeple"?
Glossary of Key Terms, People, and Publications
Term / Name | Definition |
Baa! Baa! Black Sheep | A nursery rhyme listed on page 38 in the table of contents for The Baby's Opera. |
The Baby's Opera | A book described as containing "Old Rhymes with New Dresses" by Walter Crane, with music by "The Earliest Masters." |
Campanology | The term used to describe the world of bell ringing. |
Carillon | A musical instrument composed of at least 23 cast bronze, precisely tuned bells arranged in chromatic sequence. It is capable of playing complex melodies and harmonies. |
Carillonneur | A musician who plays the carillon. |
Clavier | The keyboard and pedalboard system used to play a carillon. |
Crane, Walter | The individual who is credited with creating the "new dresses" (illustrations and design) for the rhymes in The Baby's Opera. |
Edmund Evans | The person credited with engraving and printing The Baby's Opera in color. |
English Change Ringing | The specific context in which a peal of bells is performed, involving a highly skilled art form of ringing bells in all possible permutations. |
Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd. | The publisher of The Baby's Opera, with offices in London and New York. |
King Cole | A nursery rhyme listed on page 56 in the table of contents and depicted in an illustration for The Baby's Opera. |
Peal of Bells | A continuous, unbroken performance of every possible permutation of a set of bells, often lasting for hours and creating an immersive sound with complex harmonics. |
St. Paul's Steeple | A nursery rhyme featured on page 13 of The Baby's Opera and the subject of a detailed analysis. The rhyme's lyrics describe a tree on the steeple full of apples that the boys of London Town try to pull down. |
Triquetrae Music Programme (TQ Programme) | A music education program that uses pieces like "St. Paul's Steeple" for instruction. It is structured into multiple levels (e.g., Level 1: Listen & Read, Level 2: Achieve) with specific prerequisites for each stage. |
