I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is a pre-Civil War song that sets a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to the tune WALTHAM by John Baptiste Calkin. The theme is “peace on earth, good will to men”, and the words reflect on how hopelessness will give way to glory. The score for our piano-accompanied …
Category: Handbell Ensemble
Dec 01
Happy Birthday to Us!
Thank you to those of you who have purchased and played our music! We’ve enjoyed seeing your videos, and have sometimes even been able to been there to see you from the audience. We appreciate having a part in your performances, and even more, in your ministries. Perhaps it underscores the thought that we’re all …
Nov 29
Jesus Paid It All (ALL TO CHRIST) – for eight handbells
The message of Jesus Paid It All goes far beyond the title. True enough, He gave Himself to pay the penalty of our sins, but the hymn text also intimates that we have an infinite debt to Him that goes along with receiving the free gift that He offers. Of course… it’s impossible to repay …
Nov 08
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (BENEDICTION) – for Sixteen-Handbells
Peter Lutkin composed this famous benediction in 1900. It’s a favorite farewell song at the Bay View Association, a Chautauqua institution located near Petoskey, Michigan. Our arrangement is written in the same key as the original, so your congregation or vocal ensemble can sing the SATB parts along with the handbells. The Lord bless you …
Nov 04
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (AUSTRIAN HYMN) – for eight handbells
Here’s the grandiose hymn that also serves as the national anthem of Germany. It was composed by Haydn (possibly with a Croatian song as source material), and today it still inspires Christians around the world. We’ve added our “standard” arrangement for eight handbells to our repertoire! Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print …
Skye Boat Song (eight handbells and piano)
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 …
Praise God, Ye Servants of the Lord (ANDRE) (eight handbells and piano)
William Bradbury wrote hymn tunes that are still well-known more than a century later. He Leadeth Me and Sweet Hour of Prayer are two that still appear in hymnals of today. His lively tune ANDRE, matched with Praise God, Ye Servants of the Lord, may be less familiar, but it still suggests praise and rejoicing …
Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER) (eight handbells and piano)
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 …
In the Sweet By and By (SWEET BY AND BY) (eight handbells and piano)
The peaceful hymn In the Sweet By and By has been a comfort to Christians for over 150 years. It speaks of the eternal destination of believers, and how they will all reunite in a place beyond all the difficulties they experienced in this life. There’s a land that is fairer than day, And by …
Hills of the North, Rejoice (LITTLE CORNARD) (eight handbells and piano)
Hills of the North, Rejoice is usually sung in the United Kingdom as an Advent song. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano. Hills of the North, rejoice, river and mountain-spring, hark to the advent voice; valley and lowland, sing. Christ comes in righteousness and love, He brings salvation from above. Isles of the …
