Mar 16

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3-)

The title from Joachim Neander’s German 1680 chorale, reads even more impressively in German: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” has been a church favorite for many years – after all, our very lives depend on God and His infinite power. Our arrangement for two octaves of handbells provides a bit of challenge at Level 3-, and will add to your worship services.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for He is your health and salvation!
Come, all who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
Sheltering you under His wings, and so gently sustaining!
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore him.

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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Mar 10

When Morning Gilds the Skies (LAUDES DOMINI) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

When Morning Gilds the Skies has… well, that “morning” quality on a cool spring day when the sun rises gently in the east over hills of flowers. Our new arrangement will add to your church services in the springtime… or just about any time during the year!

When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

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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Mar 06

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (DEO GRACIAS) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 3-)

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High attempts the impossible task of describing God’s transcendent qualities in mere human words. You can’t explain His eternity in a finite amount of time, nor His omniscience with limited experience, nor his holiness from a sinner’s point of view. Se just have to give it all we have; as the first commandment says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” – and even managing to reach that level falls short of giving God His due. Our two-octave arrangement of this wonderful hymn will enhance your worship service!

O love, how deep, how broad, how high!
It fills the heart with ecstasy,

That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake.

He sent no angel to our race
Of higher or of lower place,


But wore the robe of human frame
Himself, and to this lost world came.

For us he was baptized, and bore
His holy fast, and hungered sore;


For us temptations sharp he knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.

For us he prayed, for us he taught,
For us his daily works he wrought,


By words, by signs, and actions, thus
Still seeking not himself, but us.

For us to wickedness betrayed,
Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,


He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us at length gave up his breath.

For us he rose from death again,
For us he went on high to reign,


For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

To him whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through his Son,


To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.

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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Mar 03

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (RESIGNATION) (Handbells, two octaves, Level 2)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He seeks us when we stray, and guides us when we stay by His side. And one day, He will take us to be in His presence forever. Our two-octave arrangement will give your congregation an opportunity to reflect on these wonderful truths!

My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is His name,
In pastures fresh He makes me feed beside the living stream;
He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake His way,
And leads me for His mercy’s sake in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death His presence is my stay,
One word of His supporting grace drives all my fears away;
His hand in sight of all my foes doth still my table spread,
My cup with blessings overflows, His oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days;
Oh, may Thy house be my abode and all my work be praise;
There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come;
No more a stranger nor a guest, but like a child at home.

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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Feb 28

Be Thou My Vision (SLANE) (eight/twelve handbells and piano)

We received a question about whether we had an accompanied twelve-bell arrangement of Be Thou My Vision the other day. A quick look at our catalog revealed that we had an unaccompanied twelve-bell arrangement and an accompanied eight-bell arrangement. So, something close twice, but from different angles.

So we’ve taken the accompanied eight-bell score and created a CDEbF5 part as an add-on. That means the accompanied twelve-bell arrangement comes in three pieces:

  • The original accompanied eight-bell score,
  • the CDEbF5 add-on score, and
  • if you need it, the accompaniment MP3.

Each of these three items is available separately, so you only need to get the items you need. If, at some later point, you need the others, you can just drop by and purchase them, too.

Feb 20

That Easter Day with Joy was Bright (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

That Easter Day with Joy was Bright is sung to the 15th century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. It’s traditionally sung for Easter, but can be played for Advent asOn Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry. Our new arrangement for two octaves will work well with your ensemble, because it’s a very accessible Level 2+.

That Easter day with joy was bright:
The sun shone out with fairer light
When, to their longing eyes restored,
The_apostles saw their risen Lord!
His risen flesh with radiance glowed;
His wounded hands and feet He showed;
Those scars their solemn witness gave
That Christ was risen from the grave.
O Jesus, King of gentleness,
With constant love our hearts possess
That we may give You all our days
The tribute of our grateful praise.
O Lord of all, with us abide
In this our joyful Eastertide;
From ev’ry weapon death can wield
Your own redeemed forever shield.
All praise to you, O risen Lord, 
Now both by heav’n and earth adored;
To God the Father equal praise, 
And God the Spirit, now we raise!

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble. 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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Feb 17

Come Thou Almighty King (ITALIAN HYMN) – Eight handbells

Come, Thou Almighty King is a grand hymn about our need for the Lord to have our loyalty. The tune ITALIAN HYMN was written in 1769 by Felice de Giardini, who had a thoroughgoing musical career as a violinist and composer. Our arrangement for eight handbells provides excitement with a moderate technical challenge, so you and your listeners will both enjoy it.

Come, thou almighty King / help us thy name to sing / help us to praise.
Father, all glorious / o’er all victorious / come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, thou incarnate Word / gird on thy mighty sword / scatter thy foes.
Let thine almighty aid / our sure defense be made / our souls on thee be stayed;
Thy wonders show.

Come, holy Comforter / thy sacred witness bear / in this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art / now rule in every heart / and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of power.

To thee, great One in Three / eternal praises be / hence evermore!
Thy sovereign majesty / may we in glory see / and to eternity
Love and adore.

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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Feb 15

Winter Wonderland (Handbells, 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 5)

According to Wikipedia, Richard Bernhard Smith wrote the lyrics for “Winter Wonderland” while recovering from tuberculosis in 1934. That same year, Felix Bernard added the tune that has now been covered over 200 times! This song speaks fun and romance during the cold season, about playing in the snow, and planning for great time ahead, and people have been doing exactly that for a long time.

Sleigh bells ring – are you listenin’?
In the lane snow is glist’nin’,
A beautiful sight,
We’re happy tonight.
Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland!

Our five-octave handbell arrangement is Level 5, which means it has loads of opportunity for creating brilliant artistic expression. Your ringers will have a great time learning and performing this score!

Winter Wonderland for five octaves of handbells is now available from Sheet Music Direct!

Jan 16

Amazing Grace – Twelve handbells, version 2

I suppose that, given there are a finite number of hymn tunes in existence, that at some point there will arise the opportunity to make a second (or third, or…) arrangement of a melody that’s been done previously. Today, we’re publishing our second twelve-bell arrangement of Amazing Grace!

This new arrangement inhabits the same webpage as the first one, except that you have to scroll farther down. Both have demo videos so that you can compare them. While the first arrangement is written as a church Gospel waltz, the second version prides itself on being more accessible – so if you need Amazing Grace for twelve bells but have a tight practice schedule, our second version should be perfect for your ensemble!

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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Jan 09

Love is Patient, Love is Kind – a wedding song with a handbell part!

It’s our pleasure to publish Barbara Butcher’s original song Love is Patient, Love is Kind. This accompanied vocal solo based on I Corinthians 13 works perfectly with weddings, and has a very, very simple (and optional) eight-handbell part.

Barbara composed a long and a short version. The long version includes a narration/recitation as its middle section, and the short version has a piano interlude in that place. If you need an accompaniment MP3, we have the following versions:

  • Short version, without handbells (in case you have live ringers),
  • Short version, with handbells,
  • Long version, without handbells, and
  • Long version, with handbells.

The video here features the lovely voice of Tori Tedeschi Adams.