Dec 18

He is Born (IL EST NÉ) – Eight handbells

The French carol He is Born celebrates the birth of the Christ Child calmly and innocently. However, matters change when this pretty melody crosses over the Channel to be expressed as a lively jig!

Our arrangement of IL EST NÉ, done Irish style, will fascinate and challenge you. Have fun!

Refrain:
Il est né le divin enfant,
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes !
Il est né le divin enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement !

Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les prophètes
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Refrain

Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Ah ! que ses grâces sont parfaites !
Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant ! Refrain

Une étable est son logement
Un peu de paille est sa couchette,
Une étable est son logement
Pour un dieu quel abaissement ! Refrain

Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez vous unir à nos fêtes
Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez adorer cet enfant ! Refrain

Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Il est là pour faire leur conquête
Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Donnons-les-lui donc promptement ! Refrain

O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant,
Régnez sur nous entièrement ! Refrain

Chorus:
He is born, the Heav’nly Child,
Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding.
He is born, the Heav’nly Child,
Let all sing His nativity.

‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Prophets have foretold His coming.
‘Tis four thousand years and more,
Have we waited this happy hour. Chorus

Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
What perfection is His graces.
Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair,
Child divine, so gentle there. Chorus

In a stable lodged is He,
Straw is all He has for cradle.
In a stable lodged is He,
Oh how great humility! Chorus

Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Though a little babe You come here.
Jesus Lord, O King with power,
Rule o’er us from this glad hour. Chorus

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Nov 23

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine (RESONET IN LAUDIBUS) – Eight handbells

Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine is sung to the ancient hymn tune RESONET IN LAUDIBUS from the 15th century. It tells the wonder of the first Christmas from Joseph and Mary’s perspective. Our eight-bell arrangement brings out the gentleness and quietude of the carol.

Joseph dearest, Joseph mine, help me cradle the child divine;
God reward thee and all that’s thine in paradise,
so prays the mother Mary.

Refrain:
He came among us at Christmastime, at Christmastime, in Bethlehem;
let us bring him from far and wide Love’s diadem: Jesus, Jesus,
lo, he comes, and loves, and saves, and frees us!

Gladly, dear one, lady mine, help I cradle this child of thine;
God’s own light on us both shall shine in paradise,
as prays the mother Mary.

All shall come and bow the knee; wise and happy their souls shall be,
loving such a divinity, as all may see
in Jesus, Son of Mary.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Nov 21

Now the Green Blade Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas (NOEL NOUVELET) – Twelve handbells

Here’s a dual-purpose arrangement that you can play as Sing We Now of Christmas for Christmas, or as Now the Green Blade Riseth for Easter!

Sing we now of Christmas,
Noel, sing we here!
Hear our grateful praises
to the babe so dear.

Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

Angels called to shepherds,
“Leave your flocks at rest,
journey forth to Bethlehem,
find the lambkin blest.

In Bethlehem they found him;
Joseph and Mary mild,
seated by the manger,
watching the holy child.

From the eastern country
came the kings afar,
bearing gifts to Bethlehem
guided by a star.

Gold and myrrh they took there,
gifts of greatest price;
there was ne’er a place on earth
so like paradise.

 Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Oct 28

A la Media Noche – Twelve handbells

Living in this world means getting to rub shoulders with people from many different cultures. We’ve learned that there’s a rich heritage that our Hispanic friends have to share with us. Here’s a carol from Puerto Rico, the title of which, A la media noche, translates to “at midnight”.

Our new twelve-bell arrangement presents the same air of excitement as our eight-bell version, so you can enjoy the same carol with even more ringers!

A la media noche al rigor del cielo
Nace Jesu Cristo, redento del Cielo.
Al la media noche el gallo cantaba,
Y en su voz decía ya Cristo ha na cido.

Entre pajas nace del cielo gran Rey
A u lado tiene la mula y el buey.
EL buem com humilde las pajas le e chaba
La maldita mula le descobijaba

Su madre lomira sin poderle dar
Ni lecho ne cun donde reposar.
Tiernecito Niño me Jesus,mi Dios
Eres suave y dulce, eres todo amor.

At midnight, amidst the severity of the cold
is born Jesus Christ, redeemer of the heavens.
At midnight the rooster was singing and in his voice was saying
that Christ has been born already


In the straw He is born from the heavens,great King.
At his side he has the donkey and the ox.
The ox, how humble. The straw was thrown about.
The naughty mule was uncovering him.


His mother is looking at him without being able to give
Him neither bed nor cradle where to rest.
Tender Little Babe, my Jesus, my God.
You are gentle and sweet. You are all love.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Oct 23

Eternal Father, Strong to Save (MELITA) (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3)

Eternal Father, Strong to Save, also known in the United States as “The Navy Hymn” speaks of the dangers of life and how they must submit to the power and authority of God. Its serious character gives assurance in the direst time, and reminds us of our everlasting need for the protection of the Creator. Our new Level 3 arrangement is written for two octaves of handbells and two octaves of handchimes.

Eternal Father, strong to save, / Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep / Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee / For those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word / The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep, / And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee / For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood / Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease, / And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee / For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow’r, / Your children shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe, / Protect them where-so-e’er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee / Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Oct 20

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (OLD CORNISH CAROL) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3-)

[Tomorrow Shall Be] My Dancing Day tells the story of salvation from Christ’s point of view. This makes the lyrics a bit mystical, because it draws in quite a lot of soteriological (soteriology = “doctrine of salvation”) in the form of Biblical references. However, it presents these references charmingly, because they’re all focused on the chorus, which tells us to sing and rejoice because of what the Savior has done to make the heavenly celebration possible. Rejoice and celebrate with our arrangement for two octaves of handbells!

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: / I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play, / To call my true love to my dance:

Refrain:
Sing, O my love, O my love, my love, my love;
This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure, / Of her I took fleshly substance;
Thus was I knit to human nature, / To call my true love to my dance: [Refrain]

In a manger laid and wrapped I was, / So very poor, this was my chance,
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, / To call my true love to my dance: [Refrain]

Then afterwards baptized I was; / The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
M Father’s voice heard from above, / To call my true love to my dance: [Refrain]

Then down to hell I took my way / For my true love’s deliverance,
And rose again on the third day, / Up to my true love and the dance: [Refrain]

Then up to heaven I did ascend, / Where now I dwell in sure substance
On the right hand of God, that man / May come unto the general dance: [Refrain]

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Oct 20

O Little Town of Bethlehem (FOREST GREEN) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

The Christmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem reflects the quiet joy of the Savior’s birth. This arrangement is of the hymn tune FOREST GREEN, the melody more often used for Phillip Brooks’ lyric.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray.
Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Oct 20

In the Bleak Midwinter (CRANHAM) (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 2)

The poem often comes first… Christina Rosetti wrote the words for Scribner’s Monthly in 1872, and then a few years later (1906, to be precise), Gustav Holst set her verse to music. The result: In the Bleak Midwinter, one of the most reflective and well-loved of all Christmas songs. We have a new Level 2 arrangement for two octaves of handbells/handchimes!

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan / earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow / in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain / heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed / the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there / cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss / worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am? / If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part / yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Sep 30

Sussex Carol (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3)

This traditional English Christmas Sussex Carol is also known as “On Christmas Night All Christians Sing”. The arrangement we see in our hymnals is almost certainly the one written by Ralph Vaughan Williams… but the unharmonized tune is far older than that. We know you’ll enjoy playing our arrangement for two octaves of handbells!

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear what news those angels bring;
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our Saviour King’s own birth.

Then why should men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from sin He set us free
All for to gain our liberty.

Now sin depart, behold His grace,
Everlasting life comes in its place,
And soon we shall its terror see
And poor and rich must conquered be

Then out of darkness we see light,
Which makes all angels to sing this night
“Glory to God and peace to men
Both now and evermore. Amen.”

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Sep 26

Lo, How a Rose – “Surprisingly Easy”™ version for eight handbells

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Its lyric combines the image of Jesus Christ as the Rose of Sharon and the Root of Jesse, plus the traditional impression of celebrating Christmas in winter. It was translated to English by Theodore Baker in the nineteenth century.

Our “standard” eight-bell arrangement of this lovely carol has a fairly limited number of tricky bits (particularly the second verse), so today we’ve published the “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell version. Enjoy

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.

Theodore Baker, 1894

 Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,
Aus einer Wurzel zart,
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
Von Jesse kam die Art,
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht
Mitten im kalten Winter
Wohl zu der halben Nacht.

Das Reislein, das ich meine,
So uns das Blumlein bringt,
Maria ists, die Reine,
Von der Jesaias singt;
Nach Gottes ewgem Rath
Hat sie ein Kind geboren
Und bleibt doch reine Magd.

So singen wir all’ “Amen!”
Das heisst: “Nun werd” es wahr,
Dass wir begehrn allsammen:
“O Jesu, hilf uns dar
In deines Vaters Reich!
Darin wolln wir dich loben:
O Gott, uns das vewrleih!”

Cologne Gesangbuch, 1599

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!