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 …
Category: Handbells
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 …
Sep 07
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) – for six accompanied handbells
This Advent hymn originates from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. O come, O come, Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come …
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) – Six handbells and piano
The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as we know it today, is adapted from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ …
Sep 03
Angels We Have Heard on High – our second version for eight handbells!
We love the Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard on High so much that we now have a second “standard” eight-bell version! We hope you’ll enjoy it enough to play both arrangements during the holidays!
Aug 31
Simple Gifts – for six accompanied handbells
Shaker songs are fantastically good as six-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the …
Simple Gifts – Six handbells and piano
Shaker songs are fantastically good as six-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement of Simple Gifts is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find …
Aug 27
The Spider Song – for eight handbells (and free!)
Okay… we hedged our bets with respect to the title, because this children’s song is called Itsy Bitsy Spider in the US, Incy Wincy Spider in the UK. Fortunately, the hand motions are the same in both places. You’ll have fun with our free eight-bell arrangement!
