The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as we know it today, is adapted from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ would come to earth and make all things right.
O come, O come, Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, / Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show, / And teach us in her ways to go.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free / Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save, / And give them victory over the grave.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer / Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, / And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, / And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, / And close the path to misery.
O come, O come, great Lord of might, / Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law / In cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, / An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall; / All peoples on Thy mercy call.
O come, Desire of nations, bind / In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, / And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of O Come, O Come Emmanuel (tune: VENI EMMANUEL) provides an opportunity to play as a two-bells-each trio. Another possibility is to play as a duet where one ringer plays four bells and the other (perhaps a younger/newer player!) plays two bells.
The six bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.
Bells used: B5, C#6, D6, E6, F#6, G6
Key: B minor
Church Calendar: Advent, Christmas
Hymn tune: VENI EMMANUEL
Find metrically-matched hymn texts
| Six Handbells with Piano Accompaniment: | ||
| Score Package: | $10.00 US | |
| Piano Accompaniment MP3: | $4.00 US | |
Other arrangements available for eight handbells, sixteen handbells, and handbell choir.
Purchasing this 6-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to three copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score) – 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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