Nov 24

Once in Royal David’s City – for six handbells and piano

There are a number of hymns where the lyrics preceded the music by being written as a poem. Once in David’s Royal City was written by Cecil Frances Alexander, and a year after its publication Henry John Gauntlett composed the melody that we know and love.

Historical footnote: Mrs. Alexander wasn’t a one-hit wonder… she also wrote the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful!

Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ, her little child.

Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848

Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Christmas carol Once in Royal David’s City 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.

Nov 19

St. Anthony Chorale – for eight handbells

Joseph Haydn wrote this chorale in the 18th century. Our arrangement for eight handbells is quite accessible, and will be a welcome addition to any church service.

Nov 16

Marvelous Grace – for six handbells and piano

This was one of my favorite hymns as a teenager. The message is timeless, and the singing was always strong and glorious. Our arrangement for six handbells and piano will be a great addition to your repertoire!

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.

Nov 12

Somos del Señor (SOMOS DEL SEÑOR) – for eight handbells

This gentle Spanish-language hymn reflects on the fact that no matter what may happen to us, we belong to God. We hope you’ll enjoy this eight-bell arrangement!

Pues si vivimos, para El vivimos
y si morimos para El morimos.
Sea que vivamos o que muramos,
Somos del Señor, somos del Señor. 		If we live, we live for Him,
and if we die, we die for Him,
Whether we live or die,
We are the Lord’s, we are the Lord’s.

Nov 09

Skye Boat Song – for eight handbells and piano

This soothing, plaintive song is about Prince Charles’ escape to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Our arrangement for eight handbells and piano is fairly easy; you’ll enjoy playing it!

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.

Nov 05

O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – for eight handbells

This hymn first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement!

O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring;
with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing.

His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and wondrous ways.
Majestic glory, boundless grace, / and righteousness his work displays.

God’s wondrous deeds of faithfulness / his people ever keep in mind.
His works of love and graciousness / reveal that God the LORD is kind.

God’s promise shall forever stand; / he cares for those who trust his word.
Upon his saints his mighty hand / the wealth of nations has conferred.

His works are true and just indeed; / his precepts are forever sure.
In truth and righteousness decreed, / they shall forevermore endure.

From God his saints’ redemption came; / his covenant sure no change can know.
Let all revere his holy name / in heaven above and earth below.

In reverence and in godly fear / we find the key to wisdom’s ways;
the wise his holy name revere. / Through endless ages sound his praise!

Nov 02

How Great Our Joy (JUNGST) – for six handbells and piano

Joy is celebrated many ways. In this carol, the contrast of soft and loud provides a way to show what handbells can do!

While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright.

How great our joy!
Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Christmas carol How Great Our Joy 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.

Oct 29

Funeral Tango – for eight handbells

This somewhat twisted Chopin arrangement/tango/twelve-bar blues came to life as part of the final Low Ding Zone concert series. We’re pleased to offer our seriously boiled-down eight-bell arrangement of this work. Red rose is optional, of course.

Oct 26

Hills of the North, Rejoice – for eight handbells and piano

Hills of the North, Rejoice is usually sung in the United Kingdom as an Advent song. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano.

Hills of the North, rejoice, river and mountain-spring,
hark to the advent voice; valley and lowland, sing.
Christ comes in righteousness and love, He brings salvation from above.

Isles of the Southern seas, sing to the listening earth,
carry on every breeze hope of a world’s new birth:
In Christ shall all be made anew, His word is sure, His promise true.

Lands of the East, arise, He is your brightest morn,
greet Him with joyous eyes, praise shall His path adorn:
your seers have longed to know their Lord; to you He comes, the final word.

Shores of the utmost West, lands of the setting sun,
welcome the heavenly guest in whom the dawn has come:
He brings a never-ending light who triumphed o’er our darkest night.

Shout, as you journey home, songs be in every mouth,
lo, from the North they come, from East and West and South:
in Jesus all shall find their rest, in Him the universe be blest.

Oct 22

Now the Green Blade Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas (NOEL NOUVELET) – for six handbells and piano

Here’s a brand new earworm for you – it’s the French tune NOEL NOUVELET in 7/8 meter. There are two hymn titles associated with the melody (Sing We Now of Christmas and Now the Green Blade Riseth), so you can play this two times each year!

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of Now the Green Blade Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas (hymn tune: NOEL NOUVELET) 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.