The poem often comes first… Christina Rosetti wrote the words for Scribner’s Monthly in 1872, and then a few years later (1906, to be precise), Gustav Holst set her verse to music. The result: In the Bleak Midwinter, one of the most reflective and well-loved of all Christmas songs. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind …
Category: Handbells
Blessed Assurance (ASSURANCE) (eight handbells and piano)
Blessed Assurance is one of Fanny Crosby’s all-time classic hymns. It speaks of faith, dependence, and triumph through having an absolute reliance on God and His power. Our arrangement is for two octaves, and will be a welcome addition to your ensemble’s repertoire. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! …
Sep 21
Angels We Have Heard On High (GLORIA) – for six handbells plus piano
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of Angels We Have Heard On High (hymn tune: GLORIA) provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet where one ringer plays four bells and the other (perhaps a younger/newer player!) plays two bells. The six bells in the score are accompanied …
Angels We Have Heard On High (GLORIA)- Six handbells and piano
Angels We Have Heard on High is based on the nineteenth-century French song Les Anges dans nos Campagnes and is traditionally sung to the hymn tune GLORIA. The lyric tells us of how the angels came from heaven to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of Angels We Have Heard …
Sep 17
Shall We Gather at the River? – for eight handbells and piano
Our arrangement of Shall We Gather at the River for eight handbells and piano will work well with your small handbell ensemble (duet, trio, or quartet)! Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod; With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne of God? Yes, we’ll gather at the river, …
Shall We Gather at the River? (eight handbells and piano)
Shall We Gather at the River, traditionally, is regarded as a baptism hymn, but it also reminds us of the wonder and glory of that day when we shall be in heaven with God. Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod; With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne …
Sep 14
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) – for six handbells plus piano
Here’s our six-handbell arrangement of the usual American melody for this carol. We think it shows a bit of Richard Willis’ (the composer’s) musical background – did you know he studied with Felix Mendelssohn? It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps …
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) – Six handbells and piano
Edmund Sears wrote the words to It Came Upon the Midnight Clear in 1849, and it’s sung on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (just with different tunes). This arrangement is to the American melody, CAROL, composed by Richard Storrs Willis. It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending …
Sep 10
Jesus es Mi Rey Soberano (MI REY Y MI AMIGO) – for eight handbells
Isn’t it amazing that the King of Kings wants to be our Savior … and our Friend? It’s our joy to make our eight-bell arrangement of this hymn available. Jesús es mi Rey soberano, Mi gozo es cantar su loor; Es Rey, y me ve cual hermano, Es Rey y me imparte suamor. De jando …
Jesus es Mi Rey Soberano (MI REY Y MI AMIGO) – Eight handbells
Jesus es Me Rey Soberano (translated: “Jesus is my sovereign King”) is a Mexican hymn by Vicente Mendoza. It conveys the sense of amazement that Jesus Christ wants to be our King, and that He draws us into His heavenly family. Jesús es mi Rey soberano, Mi gozo es cantar su loor; Es Rey, y …
