"The Bells" is a rhythm and blues song written by Billy Ward and Rose Ann Marks and recorded by Billy Ward and His Dominoes in 1952, featuring Clyde McPhatter on lead tenor.
It was released on Federal Records as the B-side of the group's single "Pedal Pushin' Papa".
"The Bells" played an important part in the early careers of James Brown and The Famous Flames.
In their performances on the Chitlin' Circuit the group would act out the story of bereavement told in the lyrics, pushing a doll representing the dead woman across the stage in a baby carriage.
As they passed Brown, he would fall to his knees crying and sobbing, eventually segueing into "Please, Please, Please".