The hymn tune VICTORY by Palestrina dates back to the seventeenth century. About a century later, Francis Pott translated the Latin text from the Symphonia Sirenum to English, giving us the hymn The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done.
The strife is o’er, the battle done; the victory of life is won;
The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped; He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head. Alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell; the bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell. Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee, from death’s dread sting Thy servants free,
That we may live and sing to Thee. Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Our piano-accompanied six-handbell arrangement of Angels We Have Heard On High (hymn tune: GLORIA) 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, C6, D6, E6, F#6, G6
Key: G major
Church Calendar: Holy Week, Easter
Hymn tune: VICTORY
Find metrically-matched hymn texts
| Six Handbells with Piano Accompaniment: | ||
| Score Package: | $10.00 US | |
| Piano Accompaniment MP3: | $4.00 US | |
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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