In 1933, John Jacob Niles heard a bit of music from Annie Morgan, a Appalachian girl, and used it as the basis of his song “I Wonder as I Wander”. It brings out the mystery of Christmas in a way unique to the celebration of Christ’s birth.
This medium difficulty arrangement for eight handbells provides ample room to express the interpretation of the carol. Two transpositions, F5-A6 and Eb5-G6, are provided, the latter fitting within the range of a two-octave set of handbells.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus, ’twas in a cow’s stall with wise men and farmers and shepherd and all.
but high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall, and the promise of ages it did then recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
or all of God’s angels in heaven for to sing, he surely could have it, ’cause he was the King.
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
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