Mar 04

For the Beauty of the Earth (DIX) – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version

The hymn tune DIX is usually sung with the texts For the Beauty of the Earth and As with Gladness Men of Old (the latter most often at Christmas). We started with what we considered our standard version, and now we have a “Surprisingly Easy”™ one!

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,

For yourself, best gift divine,
To the world so freely given,
Agent of God’s grand design:
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav’n and earth adore;
So may we, with willing feet,
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Mar 04

O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go is a lovely hymn that reminds us of the infinitely deep peace and protection that God offers those who trust Him. Today we’re publishing our “Surprisingly Easy”™ arrangement of this hymn!

O love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.

O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.

O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Feb 27

ATTENDE DOMINE – Eight handbells

The plainchant Draw Near, O Lord has a double origin, with its Latin text from the 10th century and its melody from the 19th century. It is often referred to as the “Lent[en] Prose”. Our new arrangement for eight handbells is straightforward to play, with lots of LV to sound like an ancient stone monastery.

Here is the Latin text and a translation as presented at the Thesaurum Precum Latinarum.

Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.

1. Crying, we raise our eyes to Thee, Sovereign King, Redeemer of all.Listen, Christ, to the pleas of the supplicant sinners.

2. Thou art at the Right Hand of God the Father, the Keystone, the Way of salvation and Gate of Heaven, cleanse the stains of our sins.

3. O God, we beseech Thy majesty to hear our groans; to forgive our sins.

4. We confess to Thee our consented sins; we declare our hidden sins with contrite heart; in Thy mercy, O Redeemer, forgive them.

5. Thou wert captured, being innocent; brought about without resistance, condemned by impious men with false witnesses. O Christ keep safe those whom Thou hast redeemed.

Attende Domine, et miserere Quia pecavimus tibi.

1. Ad te Rex summe, omniam Redemptor, Oculos nostros sublevamus fientes, Exaudi, Christe, supplicantum preces.

2. Dextera Patris, lapis angularis, Via salutis, janua caelistis, Ablue nostri maculas delicti.

3. Rogamus Deus, tuam majestatem, Auribus sacris gemitus exaudi; Crimina nostra placidus indulge.

4. Tibi fatemur crimina admissa: contrito corde pandimus occulta: tua Redemptor, pietas ignoscat.

5. Innocens captus, nec repugnans ductus, testibus falsis pro impiis damnatus: quos redemisti, tu conserva, Christe.


Feb 21

[GENEVAN] PSALM 22 – Eight handbells, Standard version

[GENEVAN] PSALM 22 is a sixteenth-century hymn from the Genevan Psalter. The referenced psalm starts with “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”, declaring King David’s remorse after sin. The text was spoken centuries later when Jesus died on the cross, accepting the punishment for our failure to live up to God’s perfect standard. It’s sung during Lent, and one of the texts married to PSALM 22 is When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son Take a look at our new arrangement for eight handbells!eight handbells


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Feb 21

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – Eight handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross is a meditation on the Son of God who gave His life for us. Isaac Watts wrote this hymn which continues to draw us to the Savior. Today we’ve added our “Surprisingly Easy”™ version for eight handbells to our catalog! eight handbells

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.”

“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.”

“See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?”

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Jan 22

The Harvest Home – Eight handbells

Here’s more fun for the fall with the autumnal hornpipe The Harvest Home for eight handbells! (Yes, it’s January… but having lots of time to practice sounds great…

Alternate Titles:

  • Cincinatti
  • The Cork
  • Fred Wilson’s Clog
  • Harvest Time


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Dec 26

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (Handbells, 3 octaves, plus optional D7, Level 3+)

John Rox wrote the novelty song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas in 1950. Three years later, Gayla Peevey, a ten-year old from Oklahoma City, OK, recorded it with Mitch Miller’s orchestra as the supporting cast. It’s been a holiday earworm ever since – and now it’s available for three octaves of handbells (plus optional D7).

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
I don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinkertoy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy.

By the way… shortly after that, the Oklahoma City Zoo sought donations to get a hippo. Although it wasn’t because of the song and Gayla, but when they had accumulated $3000, they acquired a baby hippopotamus. And then they “gave” it to Gayla, which was followed by Gayla “giving” her new pet back to the zoo. Perhaps it’s much better to have someone who knows how to walk a hippo every day to be doing the caretaking…

Wikipedia tells us that Gayla embraced her fame. Apparently her parents might have thought that recording a single song would be a fun opportunity, and that would be it. What became one of the most popular (not-necessarily-church-based) Christmas songs of all time led to loads of attention, and a lasting happy musical legacy!


Dec 14

Pie Jesu – Fauré – handbell duet

The Fauré Requiem, a magnificent funerary work, contains the song Pie Jesu. It’s a prayer that the departed will receive everlasting rest and peace from the Lord Jesus. Here’s our new duet arrangement!

Pie Jesu, Domine,
dona eis requiem.
Dona, dona,
dona eis requiem,
sempiternam requiem. 		Merciful Jesus, Lord,
Grant unto them rest.
Grant them, grant them,
Grant unto them rest,
Eternal rest.

If you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.


Purchasing this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed your handbell ensemble (plus the accompaniment score) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Dec 07

Hyfrydol – Twelve handbells

Rowland Prichard composed the popular Welsh tune HYFRYDOL It matches many hymn texts such as:

  • Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
  • Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
  • Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
  • Jesus What A Friend of Sinners
  • I Will Sing of My Redeemer

Our arrangement for twelve handbells can be used all through the year!


Purchasing this 12-bell score gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also grants permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

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Dec 01

ENGELBERG, 8 handbells, “Surprisingly Easy”™ version

The hymn tune ENGELBERG has been used with several texts: eight handbells

  • All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine
  • When in Our Music God is Glorified
  • We Know that Christ is Raised

No matter which one you’re singing, it’s an inspiring melody! Here’s our new “Surprisingly Easy”™ arrangement!


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) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!