Right On Time

Merry Christmas!

Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight!

What do you know about the Whittington Chimes?

The Whittington Chimes are another set of chimes available in a variety of clocks. Just like the Westminster Chimes, there is a history that comes with them. Since the 14th century, the bells of the Church of St. Mary le Bow chimed this tune throughout Cheapside, London. The legend of Dick Whittington started in the 16th century, when the poor, mistreated house boy sought to run away from his masters’ housekeeper. He is said to have heard these chimes and believed that they said to him: “Turn again, Whittington, Lord Mayor of Londontown.” This led him to return with persistence. Whittington went on to find his fortune and eventually became Lord Mayer.

The Westminster Chimes:

When you hear the chimes of a clock, most of the time you are hearing the Westminster chimes. These chimes are the most common and have a lot of history behind them as well as much meaning. The Westminster chimes were the first chimes used on the clock in the University Church tower of St. Mary in Cambridge, England. In 1859, these chimes were then selected to be used for the Victoria Clock Tower in the House of Parliament(Big Ben) in London.

These chimes were inspired by a phrase from Handel’s symphony, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.”. The words and music were arranged by Wm. Crotch in 1793. The four phrases of this arrangement include:

“Lord through this hour,
Be Thou our guide
So, by Thy power
No foot shall slide.”