Jul 14

I Surrender All – Eight handbells

Judson Van DeVenter, the writer of I Surrender All, shared a heartfelt message that Christians have expressed time and time again for centuries. William S. Weeden write the hymn tune that many of us know well. Our new version of this classic hymn of dedication presents the hymn tune SURRENDER in a signable fashion.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make my, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

 

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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Jul 09

Beloved Friend (Handbells, 3-7 octaves, plus handchimes, 2 octaves, Level 3)

Bernie Foulk rang with the Kalamazoo Ringers from 2022 to 2025. I and the rest of the ensemble had hoped to have many more years of ringing with him, but that was not to be. After a short illness, Bernie headed for the next life, and we started missing his wit, charm, enthusiasm, and especially his kindness.

This original composition came together in time for the Kalamazoo Ringers to premiere it in our 2025 spring concerts. Because of the confluence of events, we had only a couple of rehearsals to put it together, but it went very wonderfully, and it was our special way of celebrating Bernie’s effect on our lives.

In Bernie’s memory, all proceeds from sales of this work will be donated to the Kalamazoo Ringers.

 

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this score grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen work for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

Jun 30

Every Time I Feel the Spirit – Twelve handbells

The African-American spiritual Every Time I Feel the Spirit represents a bit of rich musical history. Many such spirituals had their origin from a time when and a place where injustice and oppression was chronic. In such circumstances, hope came from knowing that God still watched over His children, no matter where they were. Here’s our arrangement for twelve handbells!

Refrain:
Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.
Yes, ev’ry time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart, I will pray.

Upon the mountain when my God spoke,
out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke.
All around me, it looked so fine,
I asked my Lord if all was mine. [Refrain]

Jordan River, chilly and cold,
it chills the body, but not the soul.
There ain’t but one train that’s on this track,
it runs to heaven and runs right back. [Refrain]

 

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to six copies for your handbell group – 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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Jun 29

Brother James’ Air – Twelve handbells

In 1913, James Leith Macbeth Bain composed a melody to go with the words of the 23rd Psalm; it’s recognized as BROTHER JAMES’ AIR. The tune lilts gently, reflecting on the peace and hope this psalm has given to many generations. Our arrangement for twelve handbells is available in three keys (C#5-G5, B5-F5, and F#5-C7) to suit the needs of your ensemble.

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev’n for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forever more
My dwelling place shall be.

 

Purchasing this 12-bell arrangement 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 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.

Jun 25

Silver Bells (Handbells, 3 to 7 octaves, Level 4)

The film Lemon Drop Kid from 1951 has a scene with a grumpy, unhappy Santa standing by a donation kettle. The impression he presents is completed with a gruff singing voice and a clanky bell. He’s, shall we say, doing poorly at generating donations. Along come Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. They straighten him out with a cheery revision of the song he’s singing – Silver Bells.

Our thoughtful, reflective arrangement of Silver Bells is scored for three to seven octaves of handbells, plus three octaves of handchimes.

Silver bells, silver bells,
It’s Christmas time in the city,
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
Soon it will be Christmas Day.

Jun 05

All Things Bright and Beautiful (ROYAL OAK) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

Cecil Frances Alexander wrote All Things Bright and Beautiful in 1849. The joyous text and its happy melody are perfectly matched! If your ensemble is on the smaller side, this two-octave arrangement is for you!

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

Each little flow’r that opens, each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,
the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden: He made them ev’ry one.

He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

 

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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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May 28

We Place Upon Your Table, Lord (DISTRESS) – Eight handbells

Walker’s Southern Harmony (1835) contains many hymns of the day. We Place Upon Your Table, Lord celebrates the Lord’s Supper, reminding us of how the simple elements bread and wine direct us to reflect and act on the profundity of the eternal life that Christ gives us. This short and simple, yet elegant, arrangement for eight bells will enhance your communion service.

We place upon your table, Lord,
where you by grace have bid us dine,
these tokens of our daily work,
the food of life, the bread and wine.

Within these simple things there lie
the height and depth of human life:
our pain and tears, our thoughts and toils,
our hopes and fears, our joy and strife.

Accept them, Lord; they come from you;
we take them humbly from your hand;
put these your gifts to higher use:
the holy meal that you command.

 

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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May 26

My Jesus, I Love Thee (GORDON) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2)

My Jesus, I Love Thee presents the truth of salvation simply: Christ’s giving Himself on the cross for our sins offers us everlasting life, but also demands our complete devotion when we accept that marvelous gift. The hymn also states that truth elegantly; the easy-to-understand words allow the deep truth of God’s love to come through beautifully. Our Level 2 arrangement for two octaves of handbells will be a welcome addition to your music library!

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
for Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
and praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

 

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May 08

It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) (Handbells, 2 octaves, Level 2+)

The story behind “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio Spafford and Philip Bliss – look it up – testifies of the incredible peace God gives through our faith in Him, and how He continues to give that comfort to believers today. It’s amazing how one man’s experience and faith can touch the hearts and lives of so many thousands of others! You’ll find our arrangement for two octaves of handbells to be easy to learn because it’s Level 2+.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

 

Purchasing the handbell choir version of this arrangement grants permission to print and maintain up to fifteen copies for your handbell ensemble; purchasing the single copy version grants permission to print and maintain one copy. 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.

May 05

Adoro Te Devote – Eight handbells

The Latin plainchant Adoro Te Devote dates back to the 13th century. Our arrangement for eight handbells works well as an introit, or to enhance a thoughtful time during your church service.

It is one of the five Eucharistic hymns composed and set to music for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, instituted in 1264 by Pope Urban IV. This solemn feast occurs on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost).

Adoro te devote, latens deitas,
Quæ sub his figuris vere latitas;
Tibi se cor meum totum subicit,
Quia te contemplans totum deficit.Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur,
Sed auditu solo tuto creditur.
Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius;
Nil hoc verbo Veritátis[6] verius.

In Cruce[6] latebat sola Deitas,
At hic latet simul et Humanitas,
Ambo tamen credens atque confitens,
Peto quod petivit latro pœnitens.

Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor:
Deum tamen meum te confiteor.
Fac me tibi semper magis credere,
In te spem habere, te diligere.

O memoriale mortis Domini,
Panis vivus, vitam præstans homini,
Præsta meæ menti de te vívere,
Et te illi semper dulce sapere.

Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine,
Me immundum munda tuo Sanguine:[6]
Cujus una stilla salvum facere
Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.

Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio,
Oro, fiat illud quod tam sitio:
Ut te revelata cernens facie,
Visu sim beátus tuæ gloriæ. Amen.

 I devoutly adore you, hidden deity,
Who are truly hidden beneath these appearances.
My whole heart submits to You,
because in contemplating You, it is fully deficient.Sight, touch, taste all fail in their judgment of you,
But hearing suffices firmly to believe.
I believe all that the Son of God has spoken;
There is nothing truer than this word of Truth.

On the cross only the divinity was hidden,
But here the humanity is also hidden.
Yet believing and confessing both,
I ask for what the penitent thief asked.

I do not see wounds as Thomas did,
But I confess that You are my God.
Make me believe much more in You,
Hope in you, and love You.

O memorial of our Lord’s death,
Living Bread that gives life to man,
Grant my soul to live on You,
And always to savor your sweetness.

Lord Jesus, Good Pelican,
clean me, the unclean, with Your Blood,
One drop of which can heal
the entire world of all its sins.

Jesus, whom now I see hidden,
I ask You to fulfill what I so desire:
That the sight of Your Face being unveiled
I may have the happiness of seeing Your glory. Amen.

 

Downloading this arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain copies for your handbell group, and 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!