Danny Boy / Londonderry Air – Bass handbell solo

Here’s our bass handbell arrangement of the more-than-well-known Danny Boy (set to the Irish tune “Londonderry Air” by Frederic Weatherly in 1910). It’s a solid test of strength, stamina, and precision that involves many of the aspects of solo ringing. Larry performed it at the 2004 Area 12 conferences.

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer’s gone, and all the flowers are dying
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,
‘Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me.

And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be,
If you’ll not fail to tell me that you love me
I’ll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

Enjoy!

Range of bells: C3 – A5

Also available for 8 handbells.

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