This is My Father’s World (Bass Handbell Solo)

Many traditional and folk melodies have made their way into hymnody. This is My Father’s World (hymn tune: TERRA BEATA, “beautiful earth/world”), speaks of the gorgeous things that God has made in creating our universe.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas — His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world: The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world: O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!

My friend Marcy Winter organized the Rogue Valley Handbell Festival for 26 years, making a tremendous contribution to the handbell world. In 2006, I arranged Marcy’s favorite hymn, This is My Father’s World, as a bass handbell solo. True to form, it’s not for the faint of heart; in the (current) absence of an actual performance video, I can tell you that:

• The first verse is unaccompanied. You, as the soloist, get to mallet the melody with your left hand while playing double Shelley-marts (yes, with changes) with your right hand.
• The second verse is more standard – you have a single-line melody while your accompanist plays a countermelody.
• The third verse is all about mallets!
• The coda has a bit of a twist. You’ve played Shelleys… no problem! But your last chord is Db3/Ab3 F4\Db5 …

Range of bells used: Db3-G5

Have fun!

Price: $10.00 US

VIDEO COMING SOON!

Other arrangements available for eight handbells and handbell choir.

Purchasing this score gives you permission to print and maintain the number of copies needed by your ensemble – 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.