Oct 21

Away in a Manger (CRADLE SONG) for six handbells and piano

The Christ Child has been born, and sleeps in the manger. This gentle arrangement for six handbells and piano tells the Christmas story with a quiet elegance.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the heavens looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Christmas carol Away in a Manger (hymn tune: CRADLE SONG) 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 by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.


Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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.

Oct 18

The Heavens Declare Your Glory (FAITHFUL) – for eight handbells

Our arrangement of this joyous hymn is generally appropriate for worship services. It also can be played at Easter as O Joyous Easter Morning.

The heavens declare your glory, the firmament your power;
day unto day the story repeats from hour to hour.
Night unto night replying, proclaims in every land,
O LORD, with voice undying, the wonders of your hand.

The sun with royal splendor goes forth to chant your praise,
and moonbeams soft and tender their gentler anthem raise.
O’er every tribe and nation the music is outpoured,
the song of all creation to you, creation’s Lord.

All heaven on high rejoices to do its Maker’s will;
the stars with solemn voices resound your praises still.
So let my whole behavior, each thought, each deed I do,
be, LORD, my strength, my Savior, a ceaseless song to you!

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.

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Oct 14

Gesu Bambino (Handbells, 3 or 5 octaves with piano, Level 3)

Gesu Bambino (“the Christ Child”) is a Nativity song from 1917. It’s a lullaby for the Child, but also a call to worship for all others as He awaits them at the Bethlehem manger. Pietro A. Yon, the composer, created the melody so that it would mesh perfectly with VENITE ADOREMUS (“O come, let us adore Him”).

This piano-accompanied arrangement for three or five octaves is Level 3. The score package includes a full score which the pianist can use, and a separate handbell part for the bell choir. For the director’s convenient review, the handbell part is available separately.

Additionally, the piano accompanimnent is available as an MP3.

Nell’umile capanna
nel freddo e povertà
è nato il Santo pargolo
che il mondo adorerà.

Osanna, osanna cantano
con giubilante cor
i tuoi pastori ed angeli
o re di luce e amor.

Venite adoremus
venite adoremus
venite adoremus
Dominum.

When blossoms flowered ‘mid the snows
Upon a winter night,
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose,
The King of Love and Light.

The angels sang, the shepherds sang,
The grateful earth rejoiced;
And at His blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.

O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

(Martens lyric)

Purchasing the score package of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble and full score copies for director and accompanist; purchasing the handbells-only review score grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

Oct 11

We have an add-on flute part for Ding Dong, Merrily on High!

Some years ago, Carla and I created an accompanied eight-bell arrangement of Ding Dong, Merrily on High. Well, that was so much fun that when we were preparing to perform a miniconcert with Gary and Martha Matthews, we added a flute part so that Martha, flutist extraordinaire, could be part of the fun – and now it’s available as an add-on item from Choraegus!

Oct 07

Jesus, Good Above All Other (Handbells, 3 octaves, Level 2+)

Jesus is good, and wonderful, and holy, and well… He’s God. What else could He ever be? This is a relatively simple arrangement of the gentle hymn Jesus, Good Above All Other.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

Oct 04

Beautiful Savior / Fairest Lord Jesus (St. ELIZABETH) (Bass Handbell Solo)

Wonderful things happen on social media from time to time. In this case, the suggestion for a bass handbell solo on ST. ELIZABETH came via Facebook. This solo is “reasonably easy”, with a pleasant countermelody in the middle verse. The ending has an option for a hook and Shelley, but comes with the notation “play what you can manage safely.”

Purchasing this score gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed by your ensemble – 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.

Sep 30

Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah (PRAISE JEHOVAH) (Handbells, 3-5 octaves, Level 2+)

God is in charge of everything. He created the universe, and it’s only because of His power that it all holds together. Yet He’s interested in each of our lives, and even about the smallest things we do. He knows how many hairs we have on our heads, and accounts for each sparrow and tree. It’s a great comfort that no matter what happens, the Lord is still in control.

This nineteenth century hymn attests to God’s sovereignty, provision, and love. It’s our pleasure to publish our Level 2+ arrangement of Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah.

Praise the LORD! Sing hallelujah! Come, our great Redeemer praise.
I will sing the glorious praises of my God through all my days.
Put no confidence in princes, nor on human help depend.
They shall die, to dust returning; all their thoughts and plans shall end.

Happy are the ones professing Jacob’s God to be their aid.
They are blest whose hope of blessing on the LORD their God is stayed.
Heaven and earth the LORD created, seas and all that they contain.
He delivers from oppression; righteousness he will maintain.

Food he daily gives the hungry, sets the mourning prisoner free,
raises those bowed down with anguish, makes the sightless eyes to see.
God our Savior loves the righteous, and the stranger he befriends,
helps the orphan and the widow, judgment on the wicked sends.

Praise the LORD! Sing hallelujah! Come, our great Redeemer praise.
I will sing the glorious praises of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever; through all ages he is King.
Unto him, your God, O Zion, joyful hallelujahs sing.

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

Sep 27

Love Came Down at Christmas (GARTAN) – for eight handbells and piano

Christina Rossetti wrote this poem in 1885. It traditionally has been set to the Irish traditional tune GARTAN. This arrangement for eight handbells and piano expresses her words quietly and peacefully.

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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.

Sep 23

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (GABRIELS MESSAGE) – for six handbells and piano

Our Christmas carols come from many places and times. This one originated in the Basque country between Spain and France, and has a lovely, mysterious feel. Take a look at our arrangement for six handbells and piano!

The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.’
Gloria!

Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (hymn tune: GABRIEL’S MESSAGE) 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 by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.

Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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.

Sep 20

Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen – for eight handbells

The title of this traditional Swiss Christmas carol translates as “Unto us a time has come”. It’s from the canton of Lucerne, and traditionally has been sung by Epiphany singers (groups that wear costumes appropriate to the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem). Our eight-bell arrangement of this carol will share the joy of the finding the Christ Child with your congregations/audiences!

Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen,
es ist für uns eine große Gnad’.
Unser Heiland, Jesus Christ,
der für uns, der für uns, der für uns Mensch geworden ist. 		Unto us a time has come,
it is a great grace for us.
Our saviour, Jesus Christ,
has become man for us.

Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four 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.