Now the Green Blade Rises
This fresh setting of the traditional French carol tune for handbells is
creative, unique, rhythmic, and so much fun to ring! It is a very accessible Level 3 - except for an amazing rhythmic section that moves from 4/4 to 6/8 to 3/4 - which is a Level 4 if rung accurately and at tempo! It is mostly malleted in the bass with a few mallet-lifts and marts appearing throughout for good measure. It was arranged for a youth bell choir and is a perfect piece for that age group - but all who enjoy rhythmic challenges will love this one - and audiences will definitely be poised to applaud at the last chord!
The quintessential question continues: is this title a Christmas or Easter song? The tune - Noël Nouvelet - a 15th-century French Carol - has been arranged countless times for every instrument and voice in existence and in every conceivable style imaginable, it seems. Lyrics set to this French tune in 1928 by John Campbell Crum is the source of the title, "Now the Green Blade Rises", the underlying theme being seeds waiting to spring from the earth and Jesus rising from the dark grave and similar. One choral setting has included both the Christmas, Easter, and French lyrics: something for every occasion!