British Commonwealth of Nations: Bow Bells&y Birth

Bow Bells & Birth

"You owe me five farthin's. Said the bells of St. Martin's. "And when will you pay me?" Asked the bells of Old Bailey, "When we grow rich!" Cried the bells of Shoreditch. "And when will that be?" Chimed the bells of Stepney. "I! DO! NOT! KNOW!" Boomed the Great bell of Bow. —LONDON DOGGEREL

Last week the Bow bell did not boom, did not know when the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow will "get rich." Not "five farthin's" but three thousand golden pounds ($14,580) are needed to restore the church and the crumbling bell mechanism.

Lest further ringing of the huge Bow bells topple them from their rotting supports they were ordered rung no more. Theoretically, no Cockneys can be born until the Bow bells are restored and ring again. For, by traditional definition, Cockney is "one born within sound of the Bow bells."