White Coral Bells

• ROUND •

White coral bells upon a slender stalk
Lilies of the valley deck my garden walk.
Oh, don't you wish that you could hear them ring?
That will happen only when the fairies sing.

The Origins of the “Slender Stalk” Poetry Collection

When I was seven years old, I learned a song in Brownie Scouts called “White Coral Bells.” The imagery in the lyrics fired my imagination like nothing I’d ever heard before. I taught it to my younger brothers and sisters, and when they were a little older, we would sing it as a round in the back seat on car rides. 

My grandmother had borders of lilies of the valley along the foundation of her house. They were the only flowers she’d allow me to pick. Whenever we’d visit, I’d make a little bouquet while singing the song. These were magical moments for me. Still, peaceful, aloneness with nature and beauty.

Later when I had children of my own, my two girls were in the 8-10 year old range. One night when they were stalling about going to bed, they asked me to sing my favorite song, so I sang “White Coral Bells” for them. I really fancied it up. I sang in my most over-the-top operatic voice with grandiose hand gestures, and they cracked up laughing just a few bars into the song. I pretended to scold them for their disrespect. “You don’t deserve to hear this song,” I complained feigning deep hurt. This made them laugh even more. When they promised and crossed their hearts not to laugh, I started over. They fell out of bed giggling. After about four do-overs, I refused to sing it. 

Maggie and Mollie hounded me for years to perform this song. After much pleading, I would finally trill and quaver my voice completely absorbed by the song, until they’d burst out laughing once again. Then I’d feign offense once more, and refuse to go on.

This game has lived on for over four decades and involves all six grandchildren at this point. It is still my favorite song and lilies of the valley are still my favorite flower.

I researched the song not too long ago, with hopes of uncovering its origins. All the references I found say that it is “traditional” and “anonymous.” According to music scholars, the earliest known entry dates back to1916, in a Level 4 book of a music course. 

Although I think the lyrics are perfect, the title has always troubled me. Can there be white bells and coral bells at the same time? Something’s not right.

Based on the idea that the author was writing about white bells, I believe his or her reference was to choral bells rather than hand bells or some other kind. When I looked for “white choral bells” on Google, there were none, so I’m sticking with this story. I think the 1916 musician that put together that old music course was a bad speller and the mistake just wouldn’t die.

But I digress. Sorry.

I picked “Slender Stalk” for the name of this poetry collection because of the sweet, long history I have with this lovely song. I think of my pen* as the stalk and all these little poems as one of those fragile bells waiting to fall on to the paper.

* I would like to think of myself as the stalk with the poems falling from my heart. Too bad I’m not slender or the metaphor might fit. Alas, I have the feeling “slender” will only happen when the fairies sing.