As you may have realised as a long-term reader of this blog- that every year, I write a song for my school children to sing at their performance at the church. Now that I have been doing this for a good few years, I have built up quite a lot of the parts of the nativity service- one year, a Donkey song, another year, a Census story, a subsequent year, a Wise Men and Herod song, another an introductory song, another an Inn-keeper song, several others and finally last year, a Shepherd song.
This year I wanted a celebratory song to be inspired by a song I have used with the choir a few times called, "Ring out the bells" by Roger Emmerson, published in Voiceworks Christmas (published by OUP) - you can listen to it here on Youtube.
I began writing this one on a horrendous journey home where I was delayed for over an hour on the train- so I sat on the train and subsequently in the waiting room, writing the tune and lyrics. Often this is how it happens- I will not be at an instrument, I will just hear it and write it down somewhere random.
Ring out the bells:
Ding- dong, Ding-dong
Ding- dong, Ding-dong
Dingdong Ding-dong
Dingdong Ding-dong
Ding-ding, dong-dong Ding-ding, dong-dong
Ding-ding, dong-dong Ding-ding, dong-dong
Ring out the bells merrily,
Jesus is born verily
Angels above in the sky, FLY!
Hear Bethlehem shout for joy,
"Unto us is born a boy!"
Ring out the bells merrily, ring!
Ring out the bells merrily, ring!
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
Shepherds in fields play your tunes,
Your time to pipe's coming soon,
Gather your flocks ready for news!
Angels will sing, "Gloria!",
Praise God with euphoria
Hurry to seek Bethlehem soon!
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
Kings from the east watch the stars,
Your journey will take you far,
A star is now ready to shine!
Choose finest gifts for a King,
Gold, Incense, Myrrh offering,
Hurry to seek Bethlehem soon!
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
Ring out those, ring out those,
Ring out those Bells________
(Build up of repeated ostinati with the effect of bell peals)
Ring out the bells merrily,
Jesus is born verily
Angels above in the sky, FLY!
Hear Bethlehem shout for joy,
JOY!
Ring out the bells merrily,
Jesus is born verily
Angels above in the sky, FLY!
Hear Bethlehem shout for joy,
"Unto us is born a boy!"
Ring out the bells merrily, ring!
Ring out the bells merrily, ring!
Words and music by K.Allin (c) October 2017.
It strikes me in retrospect that it would have been nicer to end with a final verse inviting everyone to join in the celebration, so maybe I'll add this in in:
Join us to now praise the King,
There's room for you all to sing,
Everyone is now welcome to join!
Jesus is for everyone,
Lift up your voice for the son,
Ring out the bells merrily, ring!
The recording is of my children singing at a concert a few weeks ago. The balance isn't great as you can hear one girl very strongly and less of the others, but it isn't bad.
One other point in the writing of this song is that the time signature is 5/4- that means there are 5 beats in a bar which gives it a slightly lopsided wonky feel- trying to cover different times, genres and musical teaching points with my songs.
Whilst the composing of this happened before Advent, this is always part of my preparation for Christmas, one which I relish and enjoy.
My children also performed 2014's song and in addition, the younger choir sang my very first song- Manger Lullaby which sadly, I didn't get a recording of- maybe I'll ask them to sing it again in January so I can get a recording of it!
This is my pause for Advent with Ang et al ( a day early!) and it works for my Scavenger Hunt with Julie because it is indeed, something handcrafted for Christmas! :-)
Julie's list:
Letterbox- Something handcrafted for Christmas
Favourite Christmas recipeChristmas book(s)Stained glass windowRobinBell(s)SleighChristmas BaubleHolly and IvySnowmanAngelFirst Christmas card received in the postChristmas crackersTree before dressedTree after dressed- C
hristmas wrapping paper MistletoeStocking or Christmas Sack/BagWrapped present(s)WinterFather ChristmasNativity- The Night Before Christmas
Hope you enjoyed it!
x