The Exercise

 

Learning to ring can be very frustrating;

But no-one has said that it’s easy to do.

Any beginner, this art contemplating,

Will tell of the problems from their point of view.

Their teachers advise that each subsequent stage

Is never as hard as the one they engage.

 

Your first time bell-handling you will be recalling

And surely now know it’s like riding a bike.

You might think the early attempts were appalling:

Cacophony’s something that no-one could like:

But, when you stick at it, your technique improves

And soon you are making significant moves.

 

The next thing you learned was a skill in controlling

And making your bell ring when you want it to.

Instructors would chasten you, always extolling

Importance of technique when ringers are new.

You know that makes sense and is really worthwhile;

It’s vital to learn a good handling style.

 

At each stage you think that a section is finished

But as you progress, if you do not take care,

You’ll find your dexterity will be diminished

By certain bad habits, new skills to impair.

Two steps taken forwards are certain to please

But one that is backwards accompanies these.

 

And sometimes you find the experience trying:

For things that you could do, you find you can not.

You must persevere, all those setbacks defying

When sheer resolution is all you have got.

So do not lose heart, as I’ve told you before,

Just look at the ringers who’ve learned heretofore.

 

It really gets easier, once you can do it:

The exercise soon will have you in its grip.

Excitement increases the more you pursue it,

Though everyone has the occasional blip.

But this is real friendship as now you must know:

All ringers are welcome wherever they go.

 

Envoi

 

Keep up the good work and you’ll soon get the hang

Of Ding before Dong……….except after Clang!

 

John Elliott.