Our Australian friends have songs commemorating some interesting events! Eugowra Rocks, a city Down Under, experienced the biggest gold heist in Australian history. The criminals got away – for a few years – with about £14,000 of the precious metal. That was in 1862, so their haul would be worth millions of dollars today. It’s …
Category: Handbells
The Humours of Whiskey – Eight handbells
We’re not entirely certain as to which definition of “humour” applies, but perhaps the most apt is “state of mind” or “disposition”. Our arrangement of this happy jig comes with some fun twists (no pun intended…) – and quite possibly is a bit more challenging for a quartet of two-bell ringers than a duet of …
What a Friend We Have in Jesus (CONVERSE) – Eight handbells
In the 1970s, our friend Kevin Inn created a lovely guitar/voice arrangement of the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus. When we looked at this hymn as a possible eight-bell arrangement, it came to mind. Enjoy! What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege …
The Butterfly – Eight handbells
Here’s our first Irish slip jig arrangement! It turns out that this is one of the most popular – if not the most popular – slip jigs of all! We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we have. Alternate Titles: Barney’s Goat The Bug The Butterfly Gig Eitil Im Fiona Im Ag Eitilt Kick …
Earth and All Stars (EARTH AND ALL STARS) – Eight handbells
David N. Johnson wrote Earth and All Stars in 1968. Despite the short span of time since then, this hymn has become a favorite to some with its ability to fit into the most grandiose and awe-inspiring of worship. It’s our pleasure to make the eight-bell version of this hymn available! Earth and all stars, …
LDZ Arrangements – Funeral Tango – Bass handbell ensemble
Apocryphal story behind Funeral Tango: Chopin, bored of hanging out with George Sand in Europe, decided to take a vacation to the then-young United States of America. He visited the Midwest, notably St. Louis, MO, and after that took a side trip to South America… and so we have the Funeral Tango. It’s all of …
LDZ Arrangements – Outta My Way Blues – Bass handbell ensemble
Welcome to what probably is one of the strangest handbell pieces in existence. The Outta My Way Blues is scored for seven or eight ringers, four of whom must be clarinetists (don’t worry, there are C insrument parts in case you’d rather play with this four oboes…). But… here’s the video, so you can see …
Tico tico no fubá (Handbells, 5-7 octaves plus handchimes, 3 octaves, Level 5+)
Tico tico no fubá is a truly exciting Brazilian piece written by Zequinha de Abreu. You’ll dance to this arrangement… but remember that you have bells to play too! 🙂 We also have some terrific percussion parts, created by Alex Guebert, for guiro, maracas, cabasa, tamborim, and claves! Handbells (five, six, or seven octaves) plus …
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (ODE TO JOY) – Eight handbells
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Joyful, joyful, we …
Shalom Aleichem – Eight handbells
According to online references, “Shalom Aleichem is a traditional song sung Friday night at the beginning of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, welcoming the angels who accompany a person home on the eve of the Sabbath.” Peace be unto you, ye ministering angels, angels of the most High, ye that come from the Supreme King of …
