Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Its lyric combines the image of Jesus Christ as the Rose of Sharon and the Root of Jesse, plus the traditional impression of celebrating Christmas in winter. It was translated to English by Theodore Baker in the nineteenth century.
Our “standard” eight-bell arrangement of this lovely carol has a fairly limited number of tricky bits (particularly the second verse), so today we’ve published the “Surprisingly Easy”™ eight-bell version. Enjoy
| Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came, a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter When half-gone was the night.Isaiah ’twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind: With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind. To show God’s love aright She bore to men a Savior When half-gone was the night. This Flower, whose fragrance tender Theodore Baker, 1894 |
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, Aus einer Wurzel zart, Wie uns die Alten sungen, Von Jesse kam die Art, Und hat ein Blümlein bracht Mitten im kalten Winter Wohl zu der halben Nacht.Das Reislein, das ich meine, So uns das Blumlein bringt, Maria ists, die Reine, Von der Jesaias singt; Nach Gottes ewgem Rath Hat sie ein Kind geboren Und bleibt doch reine Magd. So singen wir all’ “Amen!” Cologne Gesangbuch, 1599 |
Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, 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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