Dec 26

Merry Second Day of Christmas!

You’ve probably seen social media reminders that the twelve days of Christmas start on December 25th and continue through January 6th. Today, the second day of Christmas, is known as Boxing Day, from an era when the practice was for the more affluent to give gifts to those less fortunate, such as their house staff.

Today we share our eight-bell video of I Saw Three Ships, an English carol. Celebrate!

Dec 25

Merry First Day of Christmas!

Today is Christmas Day, and so we’re starting the twelve-day celebration with Gaudete, an English piece from the Renaissance (or earlier). Joyous Christmas to you!

Dec 24

Merry Christmas!

As I write this from our home in Michigan, the storms pummeling most of the country have brought us lots of white, fluffy snow. It’s been accumulating all over our neighborhood, and has been constantly falling because of the “lake effect”. We love it here in winter!

We hope you’ve had a good year, wherever you are. Thank you for playing our music, and for giving us the opportunity to see the videos you’ve made of yourselves in performance. It’s heartwarming to have the privilege of enhancing the music in your lives.

We’ll be looking forward to bringing more music in 2023. Blessings and joy in the new year ahead!

Larry & Carla
Lego Larry & Carla

Nov 29

We Wish You a Merry Christmas – for eight handbells

If you’ve been around for even a short while, this English Christmas carol will be familiar to you. Do you remember going out in the cold (and if you’re in the right area, the snow), and then finishing your visit to each house by singing this song?

Here’s our new arrangement of this carol for eight bells!

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year

Oh, bring us some figgy pudding and bring it right here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year

We won’t go until we get some, so bring it right here
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year

We all like our figgy pudding with all its good cheers
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Nov 17

O Holy Night – for twelve handbells

This Christmas classic has been performed and recorded by countless professionals. Our twelve-bell arrangement is fairly accessible, and will bring your congregation into the Christmas season with wonderment and rejoicing.

O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope–the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Nov 08

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (GOD REST YE MERRY) – for eight handbells and piano

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen is an 18th century English carol that’s been a source of Christmas celebration for generations. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano – with a delightful and exciting metric twist!

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay;
remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day
to save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav’nly Father a blessed angel came
and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same,
how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

“Fear not,” then said the angel, “Let nothing you affright;
this day is born a Savior, the true and radiant light,
to free all those who trust in him from Satan’s pow’r and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,
and in true love and fellowship each other now embrace;
this holy tide of Christmas is filled with heav’nly grace.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Nov 03

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (JEFFERSON) – for twelve handbells plus piano

The words for this Advent hymn fit many hymn tunes such as HYFRYDOL. Here’s our accompanied twelve-bell version on the less well-known hymn tune JEFFERSON.

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Oct 28

Singing I Go – for twelve handbells

We’ve arranged William Kirkpatrick’s happy, lively hymn Singing I Go (also known as The Trusting Heart to Jesus Clings) as a very accessible score for twelve bells. Your ensemble of three to six ringers will enjoy playing this!

The trusting heart to Jesus clings,
Nor any ill forbodes,
But at the cross of Calv’ry sings,
Praise God for lifted loads!

Refrain:
Singing, I go along life’s road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing, I go along life’s road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Oct 25

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (PUER NOBIS) – for eight accompanied handbells

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry is sung to the 15th century hymn tune PUER NOBIS. It’s traditionally sung for Advent, but can be played for Easter as That Easter Day with Joy was Bright.

Our piano-accompanied eight-handbell arrangement will work well with your small handbell ensemble (duet, trio, or quartet)!

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh.
Awake and harken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every life from sin:
make straight the way for God within,
and let us all our hearts prepare
for Christ to come and enter there.

We hail you as our Savior, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward.
Without your grace we waste away
like flowers that wither and decay.

Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,
and make us rise to fall no more.
O let your face upon us shine
and fill the world with love divine.

All praise to you, eternal Son,
whose advent has our freedom won,
whom with the Father we adore,
and Holy Spirit, evermore.

The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!

Oct 17

Gaudete – for sixteen handbells

Gaudete! is a Christmas song dating back to at least the sixteenth century. You’ll find this sixteen-bell arrangement exciting and fun to play!

Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine,
gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus.

Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante.

Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra cantio
Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro.

 Rejoice, rejoice!
Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary –
Rejoice!

The time of grace has come—
What we have wished for;
Songs of joy
Let us give back faithfully.

God has become man,
With nature marvelling,
The world has been renewed
By the reigning Christ.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Is passed through,
Whence the light is risen;
Salvation has been found.

Therefore, let our preaching
Now sing in brightness
Let it bless the Lord:
Greeting to our King.

Purchasing this 16-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight copies for your handbell group – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.