Once In Royal David's City
This arrangement was inspired by the iconic Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which has been presented by King's College, Cambridge University each Christmas since 1918. Afdahl emulates that style by beginning with a simple playing of the tune, then adding voices and additional layers of sound with each successive stanza.
At the beginning, a repeated melodic pattern rung by the treble bells can be rung with the bells suspended on a bell tree or rung LV by one or two ringers. Under this obbligato, the main melody may be played on handchimes, a C or Bb instrument, or sung by a soloist or unison choir.