Category: Handbell Choir

Boat on Lake Tai (太湖船) (Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 4-)

Lake Tai is a large lake near Shanghai. It’s in a central location, so it has many commercial connections; because it’s quite shallow, it’s a peaceful place to visit. The Chinese folk song Boat on Lake Tai (太湖船) draws a picture of a peaceful scene, where a small boat glides across the water. You’ll enjoy …

Continue reading

Happy Birthday!

(Larry here) It’s my birthday today, so we’re putting out a treat for those of you who’ve been wishing to congratulate your ringers, or family, or friends, or anyone else by having your bell choir play in their honor. Our arrangement of Happy Birthday to You is scored for three to seven (!) octaves of …

Continue reading

Happy Birthday (Handbells, 3-7 octaves)

Here’s our arrangement of the universal party favorite, Happy Birthday, for three to seven octaves of handbells (add handchimes if you wish!). After much history and (legal!) discussion between forces outside our control, the courts declared some years ago that Happy Birthday, the famous tune by the Hill sisters, was indeed in the public domain. …

Continue reading

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended (ST. CLEMENT) (Handbells, two octaves, Level 2+)

The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended is about eternity in the “always” rather than the “forever” sense; the lyrics are about perseverance without letup as the Church continues her work night and day. The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended / The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended / …

Continue reading

Kum Ba Yah (Handbells, 2 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

Kum Ba Yah is an African-American spiritual, most likely dating back to the eighteenth or nineteenth century. The first known recording of it dates back to 1926, and was a pretty upbeat version of the song that, since then, has become a more prayerful meditation. The phrase “kum ba yah” is a linguistic variation of …

Continue reading

WOODLANDS (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Our new two-octave arrangement is Level 2+, so it’s perfect if you have a smaller ensemble or need to …

Continue reading

WOODLANDS (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

The hymn tune WOODLANDS was written by Walter Greatorex in 1919. It’s a melody of grandeur and joy, and has been paired with texts such as Tell Out, My Soul and Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; Tender to me the …

Continue reading

Lift High the Cross (Handbells, two octaves, Level 2+)

Lift High the Cross undoubtedly is most sung in churches at Easter (and maybe on through Pentecost), but the message of salvation through Christ rings true the whole year round. Our new arrangement, for two octaves of handbells, will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ …

Continue reading

Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

Lift High the Cross undoubtedly is most frequently sung in churches at Easter (and maybe on through Pentecost), but the message of salvation through Christ rings true the whole year round. This arrangement will be a welcome addition to your repertoire. Refrain: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world …

Continue reading

Be Thou My Vision (SLANE) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

For those of you who need a slightly-smaller handbell choir piece, we have a new two-octave arrangement of Be Thou My Vision. It’s a Level 2 score, so you should have a great time putting it together! Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou …

Continue reading