This soothing, plaintive song is about Prince Charles’ escape to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Our arrangement for eight handbells and piano is fairly easy; you’ll enjoy playing it! Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailors cry; Carry the lad that’s …
Tag: handbells
Handbells were invented in 17-century England as a practice tool for tower bell ringers. They could then rehearse in warmer and cheerier places than belfries - to wit, the local pubs. At some point, someone noticed that it was possible to play tunes (rather than just "changes") on handbells, and so "tune ringing" began. The music available from Choraegus followed the tune ringing tradition as practiced and performed in the modern era,
Skye Boat Song – Eight handbells
The soothing, plaintive Skye Boat Song is about Prince Charles’ escape to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Imagine a defeated leader departing the battleground, seeking safety by crossing the water, and hoping to fight another day. In church services, this melody is matched with the hymn …
Nov 05
O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – for eight handbells
This hymn first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. Here’s our eight-bell arrangement! O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring; with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and …
O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise (GERMANY) – Eight handbells
O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise first appeared in W. Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies in 1815. O give the LORD wholehearted praise. / To him thanksgiving I will bring; with all his people I will raise / my voice and of his glory sing. His saints delight to search and trace / his mighty works and …
Nov 02
How Great Our Joy (JUNGST) – for six handbells and piano
Joy is celebrated many ways. In this carol, the contrast of soft and loud provides a way to show what handbells can do! While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in …
How Great Our Joy (JUNGST) – Six handbells and piano
Joy is celebrated many ways. This “call and response” carol provides a special opportunity to show what’s possible with handbells, because of consecutive phrases that are alternately forte and piano. While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, …
Oct 29
Funeral Tango – for eight handbells
This somewhat twisted Chopin arrangement/tango/twelve-bar blues came to life as part of the final Low Ding Zone concert series. We’re pleased to offer our seriously boiled-down eight-bell arrangement of this work. Red rose is optional, of course.
Funeral Tango – Eight handbells
Apocryphal story: Chopin, bored of hanging out with George Sand in Europe, decided to take a vacation to the then-young United States of America. He visited the Midwest, notably St. Louis, MO, and after that took a side trip to South America… and so we have the Funeral Tango. It’s all of the following: Classic …
Oct 26
Hills of the North, Rejoice – for eight handbells and piano
Hills of the North, Rejoice is usually sung in the United Kingdom as an Advent song. Here’s our arrangement for eight handbells and piano. Hills of the North, rejoice, river and mountain-spring, hark to the advent voice; valley and lowland, sing. Christ comes in righteousness and love, He brings salvation from above. Isles of the …
Oct 22
Now the Green Blade Riseth/Sing We Now of Christmas (NOEL NOUVELET) – for six handbells and piano
Here’s a brand new earworm for you – it’s the French tune NOEL NOUVELET in 7/8 meter. There are two hymn titles associated with the melody (Sing We Now of Christmas and Now the Green Blade Riseth), so you can play this two times each year! Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, …
