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. In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind …
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!
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL) – Six handbells and piano
Edmund Sears wrote the words to It Came Upon the Midnight Clear in 1849, and it’s sung on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (just with different tunes). This arrangement is to the American melody, CAROL, composed by Richard Storrs Willis. It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending …
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL) – Six handbells and piano
The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as we know it today, is adapted from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ …
Simple Gifts – Six handbells and piano
Shaker songs are fantastically good as six-bell music! “‘Tis a gift to be simple”, yes… but this arrangement of Simple Gifts is a lot of fun to play! ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find …
Aug 27
The Spider Song – for eight handbells (and free!)
Okay… we hedged our bets with respect to the title, because this children’s song is called Itsy Bitsy Spider in the US, Incy Wincy Spider in the UK. Fortunately, the hand motions are the same in both places. You’ll have fun with our free eight-bell arrangement!
The Spider Song
Okay… we hedged our bets with respect to the title, because this children’s song is called Itsy Bitsy Spider in the US, Incy Wincy Spider in the UK. Fortunately, the hand motions are the same in both places! Bells used: G5, A5, B5, C6, D6, E6, F6, G6 Key: C major This arrangement is provided …
Aug 24
Al die willen te kaap’ren varen – for six accompanied handbells
Clearly, there’s a tiny bit of (ancient) gender bias when you announce “all who want to be privateers, must be bearded men”. But eating rancid bread doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps it’s a somewhat silly song in today’s world, but it’s fun to play! Al die willen te kaap’ren varen Moeten mannen met baarden …
Al die willen te kaap’ren varen – Six handbells and piano
Clearly, there’s a tiny bit of (ancient) gender bias when you announce that all who want to be privateers (Al die willen te kaap’ren varen) must be bearded men. But eating rancid bread doesn’t sound like much fun. Perhaps it’s a somewhat silly song in today’s world, but it’s fun to play! Al die willen …
Nyanyikanlah (NYANYIKANLAH) – Six handbells and piano
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of the Indonesian melody NYANYIKANLAH (translated as “Hallelujah!”) provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet where one ringer plays four bells and the other (perhaps a younger/newer player!) plays two bells. The six bells in the score are accompanied by piano; …
Kingsfold – Six handbells and piano
The English tune KINGSFOLD has been matched with many hymn texts. Its solemn/meditative feel lends itself well to thoughts of great depth. One such text is O Sing A Song of Bethlehem; the metrical index search link below provides a way to identify other lyrics matched with the tune. O sing a song of Bethlehem, …
