The hymn tune VICTORY by Palestrina dates back to the seventeenth century. About a century later, Francis Pott translated the Latin text from the Symphonia Sirenum to English, giving us the hymn The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done. The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won; The song of …
Tag: international music
We admit to using "international music" as a bit of a catch-all for pieces that don't fit into our other categories, such as "hymns", "Christmas", and "classical". But having a catch-all simplifies things a bit, because we might have had to create dozens of other categories otherwise. Think of it as a place to view new vistas!
Chopsticks (handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, Level 5/6)
There’s a famous story about how a little boy found his way onto the great Ignacy Paderewski’s piano bench before a concert, and, oblivious to the audience, began playing Euphemia Allen’s world-famous 1877 hit Chopsticks. The ticket-holders in the seats were shocked, and angrily wanted the child removed. Paderewski, however, walked up behind the bench …
Feb 07
Wedding Bells – for eight handbells
In England, it’s important to have bells at your wedding; if you don’t, many think it’s bad luck. So if you’re fortunate enough to book a church with a functioning bell tower, you can request the services of the local tower ringers to bless your new life. There, however, are ceremonies where there’s no carillon …
Skye Boat Song (eight handbells and piano)
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 …
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (GABRIELS MESSAGE) – Six handbells and piano
Our Christmas carols come from many places and times. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came originated in the Basque country between Spain and France, and has a lovely, mysterious feel. The Angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; ‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly …
Somebody Loves Me (Handbells, 5-7 octaves, Level 5)
Somebody Loves Me, a joyous song by Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald, and George Gershwin entered the public domain in 2020. It’s our pleasure to bring our handbell arrangement of it to you! Somebody loves me, I wonder who, I wonder who she can be, Somebody needs me, I wish that I knew Who she can …
Rule, Brittania! – Eight handbells
Our eight-bell arrangement of Rule, Brittania! was one of the pieces used by Inspiration International to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 60th Jubilee. Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves! Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US This arrangement is also …
May 10
Kelvingrove (Handbells, 2-3 octaves, Level 2)
KELVINGROVE is an old Scottish tune. Where it appears in hymnals, it usually is under the title “The Summons”. We know you’ll enjoy playing our handbell arrangement of this melody! Historically, though, it’s a love song sung by a soldier to his love as he strolls with her one last time before he heads to …
May 06
Stowey (handbells, for 3 to 5 octaves, Level 2+)
Our new arrangement of the traditional English melody STOWEY is multipurpose: As the folk melody STOWEY As the hymn When a Knight Won His Spurs: When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old, He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold With a shield on his arm and a lance …
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
The children’s song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star has been around for a long, long time. The tune, “Ah! vous dirai-je, maman”, dates back to seventeenth-century France. You might also know it as “The Alphabet Song”, or “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”; if you took your first music lessons under the Suzuki method, this probably was the …
