Twelve-Bell Folk Songs
List of Folk Song Arrangements for Twelve Handbells
Here’s a quick compilation of our folk song arrangements for twelve handbells. Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE HYMN TUNE Accompaniment available Annie Laurie Country Gardens Flow Gently, Sweet Afton Greensleeves/What Child is This? GREENSLEEVES Hanukkah, O Hanukkah Ma’oz Tzur My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Sevivon Sov Sov Sov She’ll …
Annie Laurie – Twelve handbells
The Scottish song Annie Laurie (also known as Maxwelton Braes), is about a young woman, a soldier, and their romance. Although her father opposed their marriage, the story of their love still remains today. Maxwelton’s braes are bonnie, Where early fa’s the dew, ‘Twas there that Annie Laurie Gi’ed me her promise true. Gi’ed me …
Country Gardens – Twelve handbells
People in England treasure their gardens, and many of them have one that’s truly fine. Country Gardens relates some of the wonders of having a truly glorious one! How many kinds of sweet flowers grow in an English country garden? We’ll tell you now of some that we know; those we miss you’ll surely pardon …
Flow Gently, Sweet Afton – Twelve handbells
There’s written poetry, and there’s musical poetry. In Flow Gently, Sweet Afton, verse by Robert Burns weds a tune by Jonathan Spilman to become this arrangement, played by Inspiration International. It also is known as the hymn As Rain from the Clouds. Flow gently, sweet Afton! amang thy green braes, Flow gently, I’ll sing thee …
Greensleeves/What Child is This? – Twelve handbells
There are many stories about Greensleeves. Some historical references say that Henry VIII wrote it… but it had to be someone else because it was written after he’d died. However, it was “on the charts” by Shakespeare’s time, so it’s been around for quite a while, and often appears during Christmas in the form of …
Hanukkah, O Hanukkah – Twelve handbells
Hanukkah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights”. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. In particular, the candles of the menorah remember the miracle where a consecrated jar containing one day’s worth of oil was touched by God and provided enough for eight days of light in the temple. Hanukkah, …
Ma’oz Tzur – Twelve handbells
Hanukkah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights”. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. In particular, the candles of the menorah remember the miracle where a consecrated jar containing one day’s worth of oil was touched by God and provided enough for eight days of light in the temple. Ma’oz …
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean – Twelve handbells
There’s some speculation that My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean came into being because of those who hoped that Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) would one day return to the throne. On the other hand, if anyone asked, you could just claim that you were singing about your girlfriend (and keep yourself intact, of …
Sevivon Sov Sov Sov – Twelve handbells
Hanukkah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights”. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. In particular, the candles of the menorah remember the miracle where a consecrated jar containing one day’s worth of oil was touched by God and provided enough for eight days of light in the temple. Sevivon …
She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain When She Comes – Twelve handbells
She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain is an American folk song that, according to Wikipedia, was first presented as we know it today in 1927. The melody is identical to the spiritual “When the Chariot Comes”, so the original spiritual (and possible reference to the Underground Railroad) has been covered by the modern lyrics. As …
Shenandoah – Twelve handbells
The American folk tune Shenandoah, also known as “Across the Wide Missouri”, speaks of journeying through the American Midwest. It’s idyllic tune has inspired many settings – and here’s the twelve-bell one! O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, you rolling river O Shenandoah, I long to hear you Away, I’m bound away ‘Cross …
Skye Boat Song – Twelve handbells
The soothing, plaintive Skye Boat Song is about Prince Charles’ escape to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Imagine a defeated leader departing the battleground, seeking safety by crossing the water, and hoping to fight another day. In church services, this melody is matched with the hymn …
The Dreidel Song – Twelve handbells
Hanukkah is the Jewish “Festival of Lights”. It commemorates the dedication of the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. In particular, the candles of the menorah remember the miracle where a consecrated jar containing one day’s worth of oil was touched by God and provided enough for eight days of light in the temple. The …
The Star-Spangled Banner – Twelve handbells
Francis Scott Key wrote the words for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 1814 after seeing the American flag raised over Fort McHenry in celebration of victory. The modern rendition (most often at patriotic and sports events, with biennial playings at the Olympics) usually consists of just Key’s first verse. All four of his verses, as kept …
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