O Holy Night is perhaps one of the most dramatically-presented of all English language Christmas carols. It’s been performed by countless artists, and has been a favorite of many people all their lives.
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope–the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
Church Calendar: Christmas, Epiphany
Hymn Tune: CANTIQUE DE NOEL
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Other arrangements available for 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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2 comments
I just bought O Holy Night….was hoping it would say how to divide the bells up. Plan to go for the duet as you are doing.
Author
Hi Julie,
As a duet, we usually (but not always) divide the bells in an eight-bell arrangement by “bottom four” and “top four”. There are some exceptions, because we both do better when we maximize the number of bells we have in the usual positions in our hands. We did have enough questions from people about this very subject that Carla wrote an article about it – we hope you might find it helpful!
Have fun ringing O Holy Night!
Larry