Eight-Bell International Music
List of International Music for Eight Handbells
Here’s a quick compilation of our international music for eight handbells. Each title is a link to the corresponding webpage. TITLE Standard “Surprisingly Easy”™ Accompaniment available Al de willen te kaap’ren varen x Alouette, Gentille Alouette x Auld Lang Syne x Aura Lee x Beautiful Dreamer x Botany Bay x By the Light of the …
Al die willen te kaap’ren varen
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 …
Alouette, Gentille Alouette
We bring you a traditional (children’s) song from France. It’s about a lark (“alouette”); I think I’ll leave it at that! Standard Version: Score Package: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) …
Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish reference to “the old times”, the “times gone by”. That’s why we sing it as December 31st vanishes into history. Happy New Year! Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! For auld lang syne, my dear, For …
Aura Lee
Aura Lee is a Civil War love song. Elvis Presley made this tune famous as Love Me Tender, and that’s why it’s popular at weddings. As the blackbird in the spring / ‘neath the willow tree sat and piped I heard him sing / praising Aura Lee. Aura Lee! Aura Lee! Maid of golden hair …
Beautiful Dreamer
Stephen Foster’s classic tune Beautiful Dreamer comes to life in this 8-bell arrangement for two four-in-hand players (or a quartet of ringers with two bells apiece). This one is dedicated to our friend Meg. Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world heard in the day, …
Botany Bay
Botany Bay by William Meyer Lutz recalls the British colony where Undesirables of the Crown were sent to “start a new life.” It was popular in London musicals in the latter part of the 19th century, though it may have been written before that time. Farewell to old England forever / Farewell to my rum …
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
By the Light of the Silvery Moon, he classic song by Gus Edwards and Edward Madden from 1909 (yes, that far back!) comes to life in this happy, bouncy eight-bell arrangement. You’ll have loads of fun playing it! Place park, scene dark, silvery moon is shining through the trees; Cast two, me, you, sound of …
Danny Boy
Here’s our eight-bell arrangement of the more-than-well-known Danny Boy (set to the Irish tune “Londonderry Air” by Frederic Weatherly in 1910), written for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee, the celebration of the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the …
Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron
Yes… Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron is a song about laundry. But it’s a piece of music full of energy and fun. This is our full-powered version of the song we previously released as one of our “surprisingly easy” pieces.. Nevertheless, we hope you’ll try it, and find it to be as wonderful as …
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, is a pretty English love song was paired, long ago, with Ben Jonson’s poem “To Celia”. Here’s our “surprisingly easy” eight-bell arrangement. Drink to me only with thine eyes And I will pledge with mine. Or leave a kiss within the cup And I’ll not ask for wine. …
Eugowra Rocks / The Morning of the Fray
Our Australian friends have songs commemorating some interesting events! Eugowra Rocks, a city Down Under, experienced the biggest gold heist in Australian history. The criminals got away – for a few years – with about £14,000 of the precious metal. That was in 1862, so their haul would be worth millions of dollars today. It’s …
Fear A’ Bhàta / The Boatman
In the late nineteenth century, Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong was in love with a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath, and she wrote Fear A’ Bhàta (the title translates “the boatman”) for him. It must have worked – they were married shortly after it was composed! Often I look from the highest hill …
Gwerzy
Colm O’Snodaigh and Dee Armstrong, members of the Irish band Kíla, wrote Gwerzy a lively – insanely lively – piece. Our eight-handbell arrangement will keep you busy for a while, and is loads of fun to play! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US And in case you want to compare it to the original …
Happy Birthday (Eight handbells)
Here’s our eight-handbell version of the universal party favorite, Happy Birthday. After much history and (legal!) discussion between forces outside our control, the courts declared some years ago that Happy Birthday, the famous tune by the Hill sisters, was indeed in the public domain. It’s our pleasure to provide this as a gift to you! …
Het roosje
This pretty Dutch folk song’s title Het roosje translates “the rose”. ‘t Knaapje zag een roosje staan ‘t Roosje op de heide. ‘t Had zo’n kleurig kleedje aan, Snel is hij er heen gegaan. ‘t Was of het hem beidde. Roosje, roosje, roosje rood, Roosje op de heide. ‘t Knaapje zei: Ik pluk u af, …
Iona Boat Song
Iona Boat Song was the funerary song of the kings of Scotland as they rowed to their final resting place by monks. Here’s our “surprisingly easy” eight-bell arrangement. Softly glide we along, Softly chant we our song, For a king who to resting is come; Oh, beloved and best, Thou art fairing out west, To …
Klein vogelijn (Little bird)
The Dutch folk song Klein vogelijn is about little bird singing in a tree, and reminds us that God is responsible for creating the wonderful music that we hear. Klein vogelijn op groenen tak wat zingt g’ een lustig lied! Wij hebben in ons heele boek zoo’n vroolijk wijsje niet. O, zeg ons, zeg ons, …
Land of Hope and Glory
Also to known by the title Pomp and Circumstance, this famous Elgar processional Land of Hope and Glory provides the musical backdrop for many ceremonies and celebrations. Here’s our “surprisingly easy” eight-bell arrangement. Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free, How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee? Wider still, and …
Linstead Market
The Jamaican song Linstead Market tells of a woman who goes to town to sell some ackee fruit to earn money so she can feed her children. Unfortunately, she isn’t able to sell enough, and exclaims “what a Saturday night!” This melody is present in our churches as the hymns “Break Not the Circle” and …
Ma Navu (How Lovely on the Mountains)
Ma Navu is the first Jewish song that we played as an eight-bell duet. Its lyrics come from Isaiah 52:7, and the melody is meditative and positively lovely! How pleasant on the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good tidings. How pleasant on the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good …
Morag’s Cradle Song
Morag’s Cradle Song, is a gentle lullaby from Scotland. Here’s our “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell arrangement. Would she were here, my little one Would she were here, my joy my treasure Would she were here, my little one Blue her eye, as skies in summer Sweet her smile as flower at blooming Soft her cheek, as …
Moreton Bay
Even in miserable times, the resilience of the human spirit makes it possible to create music that recalls both good and bad times. The Australian folk song Moreton Bay is about a place where exiles from Ireland… uh, “disembarked”, and is also known as the “Convict’s Lament”. One Sunday morning as I went walking / …
Music for the Royal Fireworks
G.F. Handel was commissioned to write a celebratory suite by King George II in 1749. This “surprisingly easy” arrangement of Music for the Royal Fireworks is just a small part of the greater work! “Surprisingly Easy”™ Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US This arrangement is …
Rule, Brittania!
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 …
Sakura
One of the most-beloved melodies from Japan is Sakura. The translation of the title is “cherry blossoms”. This thoughtful, melancholy tune affords lots of oppportunity for expressive, flowing playing. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print …
Sandmännchen
Sandmännchen is a lullaby by Johannes Brahms that speaks of how the flowers work hard making wonderful scents during the day, and rest at night. Die Blümelein, sie schlafen schon längst im Mondenschein, sie nicken mit den Köpfen auf ihren Stengelein. Es rüttelt sich der Blütenbaum, er säuselt wie im Traum: Schlafe, schlafe, schlaf du, …
Shalom Aleichem
According to online references, “Shalom Aleichem is a traditional song sung Friday night at the beginning of Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, welcoming the angels who accompany a person home on the eve of the Sabbath.” Peace be unto you, ye ministering angels, angels of the most High, ye that come from the Supreme King of …
Shalom Chaverim
“Shalom chaverim” means “peace, friends, until we meet again.” This Israeli folk song offers that blessing in musical form! Shalom, o my friends, Shalom, o my friends, Shalom, shalom; Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, shalom. Shalom, chaverim, Shalom, chaverim, Shalom, shalom; L’hitra’ot, L’hitra’ot, Shalom, shalom. Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ …
Skye Boat Song
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 Ants Go Marching
You may have sung The Ants Go Marching when you were young. It’s the kids’ version of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (hint: give this one a go to get an idea of how much more fun the “big kids’ version” will be!). Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives …
The Bells of St. Mary’s
In 1917, Emmett Adams visited St. Mary’s Cathedral in Southampton, England, and was inspired to write The Bells of St. Mary’s. It was later used in a 1945 movie by the same name. The movie may not have done as well as hoped, but the song has been well-remembered! The bells of St. Mary’s / …
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 …
Waltzing Matilda
Australia is famous for its outback, where the hardly and adventurous sometimes go it alone, perhaps as a rite of passage. Interestingly, Waltzing Matilda isn’t about a girl – it’s about walking through the bush (“waltzing”) with your bag (Matilda) slung over your shoulder! Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade …
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
This tribute to Ireland was written by Americans. Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr. wrote the lyrics, and Ernest Ball composed the music. In 1912, this was an expression of the then-romanticization of Ireland. Over a century later, this song is still popular. There’s a tear in your eye, And I’m wondering why, For it …
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
It was fashionable for nineteenth-century (American) composers to publish original works under pseudonyms. Frank Gilmore, therefore, wrote When Johnny Comes Marching Home in 1863 as Louis Lambert. Regardless of what name we attach to the tune, it turns out to be a wonderful piece for eight handbells! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based …
You’re a Grand Old Flag
George Cohan wrote You’re a Grand Old Flag to celebrate the American flag in 1906. You’re a grand old flag, You’re a high flying flag And forever in peace may you wave. You’re the emblem of The land I love. The home of the free and the brave. Ev’ry heart beats true ‘neath the Red, …
Zeg Kwezelken, Wilde Gij Dansen?
Zeg Kwezelken, Wilde Gij Dansen? is a fun-to-play nineteenth-century Dutch tune. This lively arrangement will keep you on your toes! Standard Version: ”Dual-Range”™ Score Package: $ US G5-based practice track: $ US F5-based practice track: $ US Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell …
