We present our fifth “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell hymn collection! Here’s what it contains (which you can order separately… but getting the whole collection is a better deal!):
May 14
How Firm a Foundation (FOUNDATION) – for eight handbells
Jesus Christ is the solid rock on which our faith is founded. How firm, indeed, is our foundation! Here’s our new eight-bell arrangement of this glorious hymn.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
May 07
Zeg Kwezelken, Wilde Gij Dansen? – for eight handbells
Here’s a fun-to-play nineteenth-century Dutch tune. This lively arrangement will keep you on your toes!
Apr 30
Het Roosje – for eight handbells
Here’s our new arrangement of a pretty Dutch song whose title translates “The Rose”.
The boy saw a rose
Rose on the heath.
“It was such a colorful dress,
He went quickly.
It was as if it both served him.
Rose, rose, rose red,
Rose on the heath.
Apr 23
I Stand Amazed (MY SAVIOR’S LOVE) – for eight handbells
This was one of my favorite congregational hymns when I was a teenager. The trend today is to sing this beloved hymn in a quiet, meditative style – but in past decades, it was more of a marching song for the Church – and our new eight-bell arrangement is written with that in mind!
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.
Refrain:
How marvelous, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior’s love for me!
Apr 16
Alouette, Gentille Alouette – for eight handbells
Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of this French children’s song. We’re pleased to offer it as a freebie!
Apr 09
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (HAMBURG) – for eight handbells
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is a meditation on the Son of God who gave His life for us. Isaac Watts wrote this hymn which continues to draw us to the Savior. Here’s our new eight-bell arrangement for Holy Week.
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Apr 02
My Song is Love Unknown (RHOSYMEDRE) – for eight handbells
The tune for this hymn, RHOSYMEDRE, is named for the village where John D. Edwards, the composer, served as vicar for the last twelve years of his life. Here’s our new eight-bell arrangement of this melody.
My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake, my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
Mar 26
Go to Dark Gethsemane – for eight handbells
The hymn tune REDHEAD NO. 76 seems unusual; its background is that the composer, Richard Redhead, published a book of hymns in the nineteenth century. Learning this made it all clear for me!
This is one of our easier “standard” arrangements, and we know it will be a welcome addition to your small ensemble repertoire for Holy Week.
Go to dark Gethsemane, / You who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; / Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away; / Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
Mar 19
Song of Hope/Canto de esperanza (ARGENTINA, for eight handbells)
One of the teens at our church asked if we could make an arrangement of this lively Argentine melody for eight bells. Here’s the result!
