George Croly, a minister from Dublin, wrote Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart in the nineteenth century. It’s a profound statement of what the leading of the Holy Spirit means to the Christian. Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart, Wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, …
Category: Church Music
Morning Has Broken (BUNESSAN) – Eight handbells
The traditional Gaelic tune BUNESSAN is better known to most of us as the music to the popular hymn Morning Has Broken (popularized by Cat Stevens in the 1970s). Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the hymn tune BUNESSAN provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet …
Simple Gifts (SIMPLE GIFTS) – Eight handbells
Shaker songs are fantastically good as eight-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the …
Just As I Am (WOODWORTH) – Eight handbells
Charlotte Williams wrote Just as I Am in 1840. It’s been used for altar calls with tremendous frequency, but it also is a poignant solitary meditation of faith. Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, …
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (CWM RHONDDA) – Eight handbells
Fanny Crosby wrote Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, which is sung as a prayer to God for leading and strength. Guide me, O my great Redeemer / pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty / hold me with Your powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven / feed …
All the Way My Savior Leads Me (ALL THE WAY) – Eight handbells
Fanny Crosby wrote some of America’s most beloved hymns in the nineteenth century. All the Way My Savor Leads Me is one of her songs of faith and devotion to God. All the way my Savior leads me / What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy / Who through life …
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (ST. COLUMBA) – Eight handbells
Henry Baker wrote The King of Love My Shepherd Is based on Psalm 23, first publishing it in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1868. This arrangement will appeal to you because of its beauty as well as its musical variety! The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if …
O Worship the King (LYONS) – Eight handbells
The text O Worship the King has been matched with a number of melodies. This arrangement uses the LYONS hymn tune. O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and his love: Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. O tell of His might …
When Morning Gilds the Skies (LAUDES DOMINI) – Eight handbells
We just love this eight-bell arrangement of When Morning Gilds the Skies because it has… well, that “morning” quality on a cool spring day when the sun rises gently in the east over hills of flowers. When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer, …
Were You There? (WERE YOU THERE?) – Eight handbells
The familiar African-American spiritual does indeed fit into eight bells! Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? Were you …
