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For the Beauty of the Earth (DIX) – Eight handbells

The hymn tune DIX is usually sung with the texts For the Beauty of the Earth and As with Gladness Men of Old (the latter most often at Christmas).

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,

For yourself, best gift divine,
To the world so freely given,
Agent of God’s grand design:
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav’n and earth adore;
So may we, with willing feet,
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

Church Calendar: Harvest/Thanksgiving

Hymn Tune: DIX
Find metrically-matched hymn texts


Standard Version:
”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $7.00 US
G5-based practice track: $2.00 US
F5-based practice track: $2.00 US

Also available for 12 handbells and handbells (3-5 octaves, Level 3-).

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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2 comments

    • Sarah Stoel on October 3, 2019 at 2:36 pm
    • #

    I have a question:
    Can the 8 bell version of For the Beauty of the Earth be used by 4 ringers easily?
    Thanks for your reply.
    Sarah Stoel

    • admin on October 4, 2019 at 8:43 am
      Author
    • #

    Hi Sarah,

    It should be no problem to play For the Beauty of the Earth (aka As With Gladness Men of Old at Christmas!). We’ve heard from lots of ringers who play our eight-bell music as quartets simply by taking two bells apiece.

    Happy Ringing!
    Larry

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