In the late nineteenth century, Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong was in love with a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath, and she wrote Fear A’ Bhàta (the title translates “the boatman”) for him. It must have worked – they were married shortly after it was composed! Often I look from the highest hill …
Category: Handbells
Botany Bay – Eight handbells
Botany Bay by William Meyer Lutz recalls the British colony where Undesirables of the Crown were sent to “start a new life.” It was popular in London musicals in the latter part of the 19th century, though it may have been written before that time. Farewell to old England forever / Farewell to my rum …
To God Be the Glory (TO GOD BE THE GLORY) – Eight handbells
Fanny Crosby and William Doane were a “dynamic duo” of hymn-writing in the decades on either side of the year 1900. She wrote the words, and he composed the music. One of their best-known hymns is To God Be the Glory Personal note: This was the favorite hymn of Larry’s great-aunt Pat! To God be …
This is My Father’s World (TERRA BEATA) – Eight handbells
Many traditional and folk melodies have made their way into hymnody. This is My Father’s World (hymn tune: TERRA BEATA, “beautiful earth/world”), speaks of the gorgeous things that God has made in creating our universe. This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of …
The Love of God (LOVE OF GOD) – Eight handbells
God’s love is beyond anything we can grasp or imagine… but He makes it tangible with a single word “love”, and proved it by sending Jesus Christ to manifest it to all of us. The Love of God contains this incredible poetry: The love of God is greater far / Than tongue or pen can …
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended (ST. CLEMENT) – Eight handbells
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended is about eternity in the “always” rather than the “forever” sense; the lyrics are about perseverance without letup as the Church continues her work night and day. The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended / The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended / …
Take the Name of Jesus with You (PRECIOUS NAME) – Eight handbells
The American nineteenth century saw the creation of many new hymns. Many of them, such as Take the Name of Jesus with You, inspired congregations to good deeds and great works. Take the name of Jesus with you / Child of sorrow and of woe; It will joy and comfort give you / Take it …
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (MEIN FREUDEN ZART) – Eight handbells
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above was first published in the Bohemian Brethren’s Kirchegesange in 1566. It speaks of constant reliance of God and His ability to make our lives what He wants them to be. Sing praise to God who reigns above / the God of all creation, The God of power, the …
Praise Him! Praise Him! (JOYFUL SONG) – Eight handbells
Fanny Crosby is one of the best-known American musicians of all time, writing over 8,000 hymns and songs, including this one, Praise Him! Praise Him! Perhaps her being blind is merely a small footnote to a brilliant life of service to God – after all, she clearly could see so much more than most of …
Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley (LONESOME VALLEY) – Eight handbells
The heritage of American hynmnody includes many Negro spirituals. Many of these originated with the slaves in the Deep South; they were a source of comfort to them as so many of them lived miserable existences which would have been utterly despair-permeated… but for the promise of a wonderful eternity in Christ. Jesus walked this …
