Wexford Carol is a traditional Irish Christmas song from long ago (historians put its origin in the 15th or 16th century). It’s unusual in that the melody has some wonderful accidentals. This arrangement for sixteen handbells sets the melody line in mysterious, mildly (and pleasantly!) dissonant chords reflective of a lone singer wandering on the moorlands.
Good people all, this Christmas time / Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done / In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray / To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn / There was a blessed Messiah born.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep / Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear / Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go,” the angels said, / “To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you’ll find, this happy morn / A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.”
With thankful heart and joyful mind / The shepherds went, this Babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold / They did our Saviour Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid / And Hy his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of life / Who came on earth to end all strife.
Good people all, this Christmas time / Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done / In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray / To God with love this Christmas day
In Bethlehem upon that morn / There was a blessed Messiah born.
Church Calendar: Christmas
Hymn tune: WEXFORD CAROL
Bells:
| D5-Bb6 version: | D5, E5, F5, F#5, G5, A5, Bb5, B5, C6, D6, E6, F6, F#6, G6, A6, Bb6 |
| G4-Eb6 version: | G4, A4, Bb4, B4, C5, D5, Eb5, E5, F5, G5, A5, Bb5, B5, C6, D6, Eb6 |
| D5-Bb6 version: | Price: $10.00 US | |
| G4-Eb6 version: | Price: $10.00 US | |
Purchasing this 16-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to eight 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.
