I heard the bells (Calkin)

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY - Calkin

Time signature: 4/4
Tempo: Moderate.

Words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)
Music: John Baptiste Calkin (1872)

There are two different tunes for this Christmas carol, A recent one by Johnny Marks in 1956, and an earlier one (given below) by John Baptiste Calkin back in 1872.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Notation & youTube keys need to be checked.

Accordion Notation

Beats per bar = 4
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent

Inside row (low) = Buttons 2* to 6 plus o1* & o6*
There are two important accidentals in this tune that are only available on the double-row Erica accordion when playing low on the inside row, as shown below.

Verse 1 (of 4)

.3 | ;4 "o1* .4 .4 | ;4* "4 .4*
I heard the bells on Christ-mas day,

.o6* | .5 .6 .6* .5* | ;5* "5 .5
Their old fa - mil - iar car - ols play. /

.5 | ;5 "4* .4 .4* | ;4 "3* .3
And wild and sweet the words re - peat  /

.3* | .4 .4* .5 .5* | ;2* "3* .3~
Of peace on earth good will to men.   /

Verses 2 to 4 follow the tune for verse 1, slowing near end of verse 4 and holding the final note for a count of "two" (or more, if you prefer) beats.

Guitar (Chord - strumming) Notation

Chords are given for keys of C (blue) and G (red). For other keys, use capo.

Verse 1 (of 4)

| G | D7
| C | G7
I heard the bells on Christmas day,

| G | Am D7
| C | Dm G7
Their old familiar carols play.

| G | Em
| C | Am
And wild and sweet the words repeat

| G | D7 G
| C | G7 C
Of peace on earth good will to men.

Embedded youTube VIDEOS

Total of 11 videos in various keys: D = 3; Eb = 4; E = 2; F = 1; G = 1

Key: F from time 0 to 0:49
G from 0:50 to 2:25 (End)

Singer: Johnny Cash

Posted by: Johnny Cash

Key: Eb from time 0 to 1:24
E from 1:25 to 2:33 (End)

Singer: Jimmie Rodgers

Posted by: Christmas Essentials

Key: D

Singer: Steven Curtis Chapman

Posted by: Steven Curtis Chapman

Key: F

Group: St. Peter's Choir

Posted by: 1finch2finch

Key: D

Singer: Anthony (Tony) Archibald

Posted by: threelegsoman

Tony's comments imply he is using the Calkin version. However, the tune departs in a number of places from the notes and rhythm shown above. Still, an enjoyable performance and interpretation.

Key: D

Arranged and performed by
www.hymncharts.com

Posted by: Celebrating Holidays

Key: E

Organist: Rodney Jantzi

Played on a reed organ, with church chimes added.

Posted by: Rodney Jantzi

Key: Eb

Pianist: Andrew Remillard

Posted by: Andrew Remillard

Key: Eb

Slides & Audio by CARadke

Posted by: HymnSite

Key: Eb from time 0 to 1:50
F from 1:51 to 3:06 (End)

Group: Gaither Vocal Band

Posted by: Diego James Christian

Key: Eb from time 0 to
Gb from 1:50 to 2:18
G from 2:19 to (End)

Group: The Heritage Chorale
UMKC Conservatory of Music

Posted by: jpbkc

Carol begins at time 0:24

Background Materials, Information & Links

Lyrics:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their words repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Background Links:
(wikipedia)

Click HERE for additional info about this song.

Click HERE for biographical info on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Click HERE for information about musician John Baptiste Calkin