I saw a golden ship Sinking by the light of the moon Saw a harlequin Swimming naked in a pool I missed Catching the midnight train I was a man and died They forced my face into the dirt With my broken teeth I tore the buttons from my shirt I heard two bells ringing at once King David played his harp into the wind And when he slept I hung it on a chestnut tree for him Death at my back, I outran The Seraphim Upon a wall I painted a flor-de-lis Near the canal Where the rotten barges sleep Wandered the banks While a Hydra hissed and weeped I heard Two bells Ringing at once Walked a dusty road Dragging an ancient driving wheel Met the false and met the fair Came upon the gallows there Saw a body hanging Swinging in the cool night air I heard two bells ringing at once King David played the sad and mournful tune I followed its call Through April, May, and June Sorry summertime All through December too I felt its sound Down to my darkest, deepest root I heard two bells ringing at once I heard two bells ringing at once