Category: Handbells

Somos del Señor (SOMOS DEL SEÑOR) – Eight handbells

This gentle Spanish-language hymn reflects on the fact that no matter what may happen to us, we belong to God. Pues si vivimos, para El vivimos y si morimos para El morimos. Sea que vivamos o que muramos, Somos del Señor, somos del Señor. If we live, we live for Him, and if we die, …

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Skye Boat Song – for eight handbells and piano

This soothing, plaintive song is about Prince Charles’ escape to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Our arrangement for eight handbells and piano is fairly easy; you’ll enjoy playing it! Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailors cry; Carry the lad that’s …

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Skye Boat Song – Eight 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 …

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O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – for eight handbells

This hymn first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement! O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring; with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and …

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O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – Eight handbells

O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring; with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and …

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How Great Our Joy (JUNGST) – for six handbells and piano

Joy is celebrated many ways. In this carol, the contrast of soft and loud provides a way to show what handbells can do! While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in …

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How Great Our Joy (JUNGST) – Six handbells and piano

Joy is celebrated many ways. This “call and response” carol provides a special opportunity to show what’s possible with handbells, because of consecutive phrases that are alternately forte and piano. While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, …

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Funeral Tango – for eight handbells

This somewhat twisted Chopin arrangement/tango/twelve-bar blues came to life as part of the final Low Ding Zone concert series. We’re pleased to offer our seriously boiled-down eight-bell arrangement of this work. Red rose is optional, of course.

Funeral Tango – Eight handbells

Funeral Tango - 8-bell BUC

Apocryphal story: 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 the following: Classic …

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Hills of the North, Rejoice – for 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 …

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