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.
We have not only the eight-bell version, but also an augmented score with an organ accompaniment written by our friend T. Paul Rosas!
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan / earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow / in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain / heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed / the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there / cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss / worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am? / If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part / yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
Church Calendar: Christmas
Hymn Tune: CRANHAM
Standard Eight-Bell Score: 7.00 Standard Eight-Bell Score with Organ Accompaniment: 12.00 |
Other arrangements available for eight accompanied handbells and accompanied twelve handbells.
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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5 comments
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Hello! I would like to order some of your music and I was just wondering – Do I order just one copy of each piece or two? When I order ensemble music, I order as many copies as ringers that will be playing it. I just wasn’t sure since there are two people playing, if I should order a piece for each person.
Thanks!
Mary
Author
Hi Mary,
Thank you for your interest in our music! You should pay for each copy you plan to use, so if both ringers in a duet are sharing a single copy, you should be paying for just one.
Hope this helps!
Larry
Is this available for ordering? I don’t see the prompts. THank you
Hi there.
Is the 8-bells alone version the same as the 8-bells with organ accompaniment version as far as the bell parts go? In other words, if I order the bells with organ version, can I also use it with stand-alone bells?
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Richard Walker
Author
Hi Richard,
Thanks for shopping for music with Choraegus!
Yes, the part for eight handbells is identical in both versions, so if you purchase the bells+organ score, you’ll be able to play the bells on their own.
Have fun!
Larry