Product Description
A simple, versatile, and beautiful arrangement (by a Canadian) of a classic Canadian carol. The text, originally written by a 16th-century French missionary, re-tells the Christmas story in North American First Nations terms: the holy child is wrapped in a rabbit skin, sheltered in a birch-bark lodge, and worshipped by hunter braves. The tune, in the Aeolian mode, is also of French origin, and is here arranged for unison and 2-part voices (in whatever octaves you may have!) with a very simple handbell (or handchime) accompaniment. Only 8 bells are needed, and they may be played by the singers or by a separate ensemble. Verse 1 is just the melody with a simple, ostinato-based handbell accompaniment. Verse 2 adds an easily-learned vocal countermelody to the tune, while the bells play a background part. Verse three combines the melody, the vocal countermelody, and the original handbell accompaniment, and ends with a brief but satisfying coda which includes a few optional divisi notes.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.