'For whom the bell tolls', a photo from Basse-Normandie, North

Photographer's Note

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

These famous words by the English writer John Donne were not originally written as a poem - the passage is taken from the 1624 Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions and is prose.

The bell was seen in the village church of Saint-Ouen, Rots, Calvados. The engraving on the bell indicates it was destroyed during the Battle of Normandy in 1944 and recast in 1960. Presumably, it has now been replaced by a recording as is often the case nowadays.

jlbrthnn, papagolf21, timecapturer, williewhistler, amaryllis, ikeharel, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-10-31 4:31

Bonjour Syephen,
De très belles lignes dans ta note. Cette cloche a certainement une histoire, et un nom probablement inscrit dans le bronze. Une photo nostalgique et intéressante, de bonne qualité. Bravo.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
Joël

papagolf21 (76561) 2012-10-31 5:23

Bonjour, cher Stephen,
Les cloches sont aujourd'hui déposées dans certaines églises, il n'y a plus de sonneurs de cloche(s) !
De plus, le son des cloches a été remplacé par des enregistrements, et la technologie actuelle permet une restitution excellente.
Il n'en demeure pas moins que cette cloche est imposante, et qu'il ne vaut mieux pas la recevoir sur les pieds !!!
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Sergiom (39223) 2012-10-31 6:16

Bonjour Stephen

Si elle pouvait sonner tout ce qu'elle a à raconter, cela sonnerait toute la journée. J'aime le vert que l'age a donné à l'étain.

Amicalement

Serge

timecapturer (30324) 2012-10-31 6:39

Hi Stephen
lovely close up of this magical old bell. Stunning detail and in a warm light that makes it stand out so beautifully.

Regards - Brian.

Nicou (97679) 2012-10-31 7:28

Hello

quelle compo e tiamge superbe cette cloche elle est immense fantastique une vielle cloche qui a servi sueprbe image et ocmpo.
Bravo et amitié

Nicou

williewhistler (7283) 2012-10-31 9:05

Hello Stephen, as an ardent English campanologist it`s quite interesting to see a continental version.
I see that there is quite a lot of engraving on the bell so I imagine that it would have been of real significance in the past.
I see the exposure level was pretty low so a steady hand was called for!
Les.

Fis2 (73100) 2012-10-31 10:01

Witaj Stephen!
A very interesting old bell.
Good frame and colors.
Very impressive 1624 yaer.
Have a nice evening
Krzysztof

Tigerlily (2343) 2012-10-31 14:05

Hi Stephen,
Beautiful indeed. I'm specially fond of bells.. because I used to live near a place called "Bell tower" in Beijing. Even though I have never heard of the sound of it.. but still miss it. Thanks for sharing..

amaryllis (30149) 2012-11-01 0:19

Bonjour STephen
Je ne connaissais pas cette cloche de ROts, un beau poème accompagne ta note et cette jolie prise de vue de cette imposante cloche de bronze
Amicalement
Juliette

ikeharel (37316) 2012-11-01 8:55

A "retired" old bell, Stephen, not specified from when, but now on display in the church.
Nice indoor pic., allow to see the carved decorations less on words, and notable the teeth of time consumed it's bronze cast.
Fine shot, good evening.
Ike

delpeoples (44904) 2012-11-01 19:36

Salut cher Stephen

A nice dedication to John Donne (one of my least favourite English writers but so apt for this lovely photo). I love the textures and saturations here, the ambergris is fantastic and you convey the idea that this bell weighs many tonnes, I wouldn't want it to dong me on the head!

Bonne amities
Lisa

batalay (32860) 2012-11-03 5:13

Hello Stephen,

What drama those words hold. They were moving when I first read them as a young student, they are dramatic now. Thanks to your superb note, now I know what inspired John Donne to pen. Six years ago I had posted an entirely different version of No man is an island...

Warm regards, and have a good weekend.

Bulent

thebest (3370) 2012-11-04 0:58

Hi Stephen,

Wonderful photo of this beautiful old bell & very interesting notes & poetry.
The colours are great - this would make a nice postcard for the tourists...

Kindest regards,
Dawn.

jadesgran (3273) 2012-11-17 23:02

Hi Stephen
Being nearly an `ex campanoligist` due to the fact the Parkinsons has weakened my hands,the interest in bells will always be there and I was pleased to read the poem by John Donne and see your picture.
T.F.S.
Best Wishes
Gladys.