This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8053103.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bells play 'anti-religion' song Bells play 'anti-religion' song
(about 3 hours later)
The bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral have rung out the tune of John Lennon's anti-religious anthem Imagine. Hundreds of people gathered to hear the bells of Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral ring out the tune of John Lennon's anti-religious anthem Imagine.
A team of seven volunteer bell ringers played the 1971 song, which begins "Imagine there's no Heaven", as part of an arts festival.A team of seven volunteer bell ringers played the 1971 song, which begins "Imagine there's no Heaven", as part of an arts festival.
The cathedral said it had carefully considered the "sensitivities" surrounding the song's lyrical content.The cathedral said it had carefully considered the "sensitivities" surrounding the song's lyrical content.
Lennon himself described the song as "anti-religious, anti-conventional".Lennon himself described the song as "anti-religious, anti-conventional".
The former Beatle, who was born in Liverpool and murdered in New York in 1980, said it was also "anti-capitalistic".The former Beatle, who was born in Liverpool and murdered in New York in 1980, said it was also "anti-capitalistic".
A spokesman for the Anglican Cathedral said: "The cathedral feels this performance has inspired many to think about their relationship with God in their lives." It had to be right. There was no room for error Sam AustinCathedral ringer
Leading the recital was cathedral ringer Sam Austin, 23, a student at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music.Leading the recital was cathedral ringer Sam Austin, 23, a student at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music.
Sam and the team have been putting a great deal of effort into accomplishing what is an amazing technical feat of bell ringing Liverpool Anglican Cathedral spokesman
He said his team started rehearsals by playing the melody on hand bells before moving on to the cathedral's legendary church bells.He said his team started rehearsals by playing the melody on hand bells before moving on to the cathedral's legendary church bells.
The bells are the highest and heaviest ringing peal bells in the world. Mr Austin said: "It went very well. I'm pleased with it. There were quite a few people listening outside which was good.
The cathedral spokesman said: "Rehearsals have been going very well this week and Sam and the team have been putting a great deal of effort into accomplishing what is an amazing technical feat of bell ringing. "We practised for three months. It had to be right. There was no room for error."
"Ringing the heaviest peal in the world is a challenge in itself but that the team have been able to produce this performance is fantastic." Asked if there were any similar projects in the future, Mr Austin said: "We are trying to make a performance in New York but this is still an idea for now."
The original idea to ring out Imagine on church bells came from artist Cleo Evans, who was commissioned by Futuresonic, a cultural festival, to develop the concept with the cathedral.The original idea to ring out Imagine on church bells came from artist Cleo Evans, who was commissioned by Futuresonic, a cultural festival, to develop the concept with the cathedral.
The bells are the highest and heaviest ringing peal bells in the world.
'Spontaneous applause'
A spokesman for the Anglican Cathedral said: "The cathedral feel this performance has inspired many to think about their relationship with God in their lives.
"From what we have heard it's been received really well. We had around 200 to 300 people outside the cathedral for each performance. There were spontaneous rounds of applause.
"It sounded absolutely fantastic. It was slightly overcast but any rain didn't affect anyone listening."
Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono said the idea was "so beautiful, it made me choke up".Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono said the idea was "so beautiful, it made me choke up".
The 13 bells are arranged around Great George, a central ringing bell which weighs more than 14 tonnes and can be heard for miles around.The 13 bells are arranged around Great George, a central ringing bell which weighs more than 14 tonnes and can be heard for miles around.