Christmas Songs: Away in the Manger - Handbell duet

Too much of a good thing?  Yes, if you use the bells too much, but during December I bring out the bells at least two weeks in a row.

Here are the posters for Away in a Manger. This song has two parts for the chorus (Asleep, "asleep") and is a great way to introduce harmony to the children.  Read the post on using bells with The First Noel, and use the same methods of introducing the bells with Away in a Manger.

Here is the poster of the verse:

(These colors are a little hard to see with the manger cutout, so here they are line by line.)

• light blue, light blue, green, yellow, light blue, green yellow

• orange, red, orange, yellow

• yellow, green yellow, orange, yellow, red

• yellow, light blue, green, yellow, orange

• light blue, light blue, green, yellow, light blue, green yellow

• orange, red, orange, yellow

• yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, light blue, green, yellow

• orange, yellow, orange, red

And the poster of the chorus:

Two lines are played at the same time to produce the harmony part!

I post these posters on a wall, chalkboard, or have two teachers hold them so that I can point to one line with the left hand, and one line with the right hand when the chorus comes. (Yes, I have to practice pointing...<grin>.) 

When the color has an arrow after it, it means to keep playing that note while the harmony note is played.  I keep touching the color in rapid succession, and the children usually somehow understand to keep playing it. 

I love how the children have to interact, take their turn, and how every note is just as beautiful as the other notes.  I love the look of delight in the children's eyes when they have successfully played through the song with their bells.

(And yes... you might want to warn the women in Relief Society the bell Sunday is coming but assure them it won't last long and will have wonderful results for the children!<grin>)