Return to Handbell – Full Choir

Now the Green Blade Riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) (Handbells, 3 to 5 octaves, plus handchimes, 1 octave, Level 3+)

Here’s a dual-purpose arrangement that you can play as Sing We Now of Christmas for Christmas, or as Now the Green Blade Riseth for Easter!

Sing we now of Christmas,
Noel, sing we here!
Hear our grateful praises
to the babe so dear.

Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

Angels called to shepherds,
“Leave your flocks at rest,
journey forth to Bethlehem,
find the lambkin blest.

In Bethlehem they found him;
Joseph and Mary mild,
seated by the manger,
watching the holy child.

From the eastern country
came the kings afar,
bearing gifts to Bethlehem
guided by a star.

Gold and myrrh they took there,
gifts of greatest price;
there was ne’er a place on earth
so like paradise.

 Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead the risen One is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Church Calendar: Ester, Christmas

Hymn Tune: NOEL NOUVELET
Find metrically-matched hymn texts

Handbells (three to five octaves)
Level 3

And here’s a video of the Carillon Ringers (Third Reformed Church, Holland, MI):

Preview:

Individual copy: $5.00 US

Handbell choir: $25.00 US

Other arrangements available for six handbells and piano and eight handbells.

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.

Find Larry and Carla on Facebook!