The title of this Dutch Christmas song translates “cold is this little Child’, referring to the tradition that the Christ Child was born during the Bethlehem winter. Hoe leit dit Kindeke hier in de kou ziet eens hoe alle zijn ledekens beven ziet eens hoe dat Het weent en krijt van rouw. Na na na …
Tag: Christmas
Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 25th as the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke 2).
Liturgically, Christmas is twelve days in length (hence the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"), ending on Epiphany (also known as Three Kings' Day).
Churches and celebrants who choose to be less precisely liturgical rejoice with Christmas music (and Epiphany music!) all the way through Advent as well. The important thing is to rejoice, of course.
Aug 31
Los Peces en el Rio (for eight handbells)
This Spanish Christmas carol was part of our “A Carol a Day” postings a couple of years ago, but somehow it escaped official publication! It’s a lively song about how the fish in the river – “los peces en el rio” – rejoiced at the birth of Christ. Here’s where you can find our eight-bell …
Los Peces en el Rio – Eight handbells
This traditional Spanish Christmas carol has an interesting story in the lyrics: The baby Jesus has been born, and because life has its demands, Mary is described as going about her normal doings in the same say you and I would (well, except for being a parent of the Child who is the Son of …
Binder Cover pages
If you’ve started gathering lots of our music for six to sixteen bells, you might be keeping it in binders. Here are some free cover pages that you can use to organize your music!. Six-Bell Pieces: $ US “Standard” Eight-Bell Pieces: $ US “Standard” Eight-Bell Christmas Pieces: $ US “Surprisingly Easy” Eight-Bell Pieces: $ US …
Cold December Flies Away (LO DESEMBRE CONGELAT) – Eight handbells
This Catalonian carol is called Cold December Flies Away in English. El desembre congelat / Confús es retira. Abril, de flors coronat, / Tot el món admira, Quan en un jardí d’amor / Neix una divina flor D’una ro, ro, ro, / D’una sa, sa, sa, D’una ro, / D’una sa, D’una rosa bella, / …
In the Bleak Midwinter – Eight Handbells and Organ
The poem often comes first… Christina Rosetti wrote the words for Scribner’s Monthly in 1872, and then a few years later (1906, to be precise), Gustav Holst set her verse to music. The result: In the Bleak Midwinter, one of the most reflective and well-loved of all Christmas songs. We have not only the eight-bell …
Oct 23
Accompanied twelve-bell music for Christmas!
We usually play unaccompanied eight-handbell music. Maybe that’s because it’s easier to get together to practice; only two of us have to head to the rehearsal room. However, we do realize that many of you may have larger groups, or might want to include a pianist. So we have a couple of new Christmas arrangements …
From Starry Skies Descending – Eight handbells
The Italian carol Tu scendi dalle stelle is lovely, though perhaps less familiar to Americans than others. This arrangement will bring new joy to your holiday services and celebrations. Tu scendi dalle stelle, O Re del Cielo, e vieni in una grotta, al freddo al gelo. O Bambino mio Divino Io ti vedo qui a …
Up on the Housetop – Eight handbells
Benjamin Hanby wrote this famous Christmas song in 1864. It’s excited children every Christmas Eve since then! Up on the housetop reindeer pause, Out jumps Good Old Santa Claus Down through the chimney with lots of toys All for the little ones Christmas joys. Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t …
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (WINCHESTER) – Eight handbells
The WINCHESTER tune sung with While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night comes from Est’s Whole Book of Psalmes from 1592. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around. “Fear not! said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled …
