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Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (MENDELSSOHN) – Accompanied handbell duet

We bring you a fresh and unusual arrangement of the beloved Christmas song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The irregular meters will keep your ringers on their toes, and will give your congregation a different look at rejoicing during Christmas season!

If played as a four-in-hand duet, a table will be needed. Also, it would be advantageous to add a couple of duplicate bells to facilitate the changes; exactly which ones you need will depend on how your pair your bells, and which are primaries/secondaries. This arrangement could also be played as an accompanied handbell quartet.

And an optional flute part is also available!

While the AGEHR level system applies specifically to scores for handbell choirs, this piece would have an approximate challenge rating of Level 5.

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Church Calendar: Christmas

Hymn Tune: MENDELSSOHN
Find metrically-matched hymn texts

The 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.

Handbells used: G5, Ab5, A5, Bb5, B5, C6, D6, Eb6, E6, F6, F#6, G6

Score plus handbell part: $12.00 US
Piano accompaniment MP3: $4.00 US
Optional flute part: $5.00 US

Also available for 16 handbells, handbells (3 octaves, Level 2) and handbells (3/5 octaves, Level 5).

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.

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