Dance and Sing (alternative title Faery's Lament), 2-3 octaves, level 2, 2004, GIA Publications, G-6314
This traditional Scottish Gaelic lullaby “Pulling Bracken” was collected in the Hebrides by Marjorie Kennedy-Fraser (1857-1930) and the legend is that the faery who sang the song was in love with the young girl whom he met when she came out to cut the bracken.  When her family caught her they kept her locked up in their home.  Since she didn't come any more the faery became despondent and sang the song.  The melody has been set to the text of modern hymns "Dance and Sing All the Earth" (which follows the course of Creation as celebrated in Genesis Chapter 1) by John Bell and Graham Maule; and for Easter "Lifted High on Your Cross" by I. Cowie - writers of the Iona Community.  If performed using the title "Faery's Lament" then it would be performed at the slower marked tempo adding an optional rainstick throughout; if performing with the title "Dance and Sing all the Earth" then it would be performed at the faster marked tempo adding an optional light tambourine ad lib.  Massed selection for Scottish Schools Ring held in Dunblane Primary School with 200 pupils performing. 

Click play below to see and hear a performance of Dance and Sing (Pulling Bracken / Faery's Lament) performed by Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers in Dunblane Cathedral.

Dunblane, 3 octaves, level 3, 1986, Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, HRGB
The music is from a song by Jim Macleod, who was leader of one of Scotland's most popular dance-bands which featured in numerous radio, television and recording sessions as well as performing annually for the Queen at Balmoral Castle.  He was also musical director at one of Scotland's best known hotels, Dunblane Hydro.  This arrangement was used as a massed ringing item and conducted by Jim Macleod, at the Scottish Handbell Festival, held in Dunblane.  The words are:
When it's morning in Dunblane and I wake up to the rain
Drizzling down on sleepy rooftops on the hillside by Dunblane
That's the home that keeps on calling though I'm often far from home
That's the home that ties me dearly to Dunblane.
The old Cathedral City with its mem'ries by the score
I can share it all with someone, no-one really asks for more
Though the highways lead to fortune I can hear a soft refrain
For the bells they are ringing o'er the hillside by Dunblane
And wherever roads may lead me
And they take me far from home
That's the home that ties me dearly to Dunblane.

Click play below to hear a recording of this arrangement.

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Echoes through Eternity, 3-5 octaves, level 3, 2011, Flagstaff Publishing, FLHB620 (director/full score), optional French Horn or Bb Trumpet and drumset.

Commissioned by Suzanne Aiken in loving memory of her brother, John T. Aiken (1930-2008) of LaFayette. The title "Echoes through Eternity" reminds us that our actions in life are reflected through those whose lives we touch.
In the Oscar winning movie, "Gladiator", the character played by Russell Crowe, Maximus Decimus Meridius,
uttered these words "What you do in life echoes through eternity."

The style of this music was inspired by "Racing with the Moon", the signature tune of American singer, trumpet player
and big band leader, Vaughn Monroe (1911 – 1973).

If a drumset is available then a gentle jazz accompaniment may be added.

Click below to hear a midi recording of this music:

Festivamente, 3-5 octaves, level 3, 2011, FromTheTopMusic, 20259, optional percussion

Festivamente means: festively, cheerfully, celebratory. This music was slected as massed music for the 2012 International Handbell Symposium in Liverpool, England.
  

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• Click here to listen to a recording by Soundprint Productions
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Have you performed this music?  Do please write and let me know by clicking here.

Festive Exultation!, 3-5 octaves, level 4, 1994, Jeffers, JH S9149, optional chimes
Commissioned by Moorings Ringers of Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.   Selected for massed ringing at the 9th International Handbell Symposium in 2000 in Birmingham.