Christmas Bells are Ringing

So I've defended my thesis, but I still haven't finished the final changes. I'm getting there. I worked on it for an hour today, but now I want to share this:

Our church Christmas party was tonight, and for entertainment we had a sing along and where all the children play bells. The organizer had a set of bells (more like chimes) that are made from thinwall conduit pipe. My mom has a few sets too and so I borrowed them and got excited about it. Each bell is numbered 0-20 and you can pass them out and each person plays their number when that note comes up. If you'd like to make your own set there are plans here. I found one site talking about using them in their family and they endearingly call them "sewer bells." Thats funny. I just thought I'd tell ya. There are a few tips about making and playing them, but I'm not going to focus on that.

The plans (I've seen 2 versions) always come with a few songs, which consist of lists of numbers. These lists are often seen transferred onto poster board which someone holds up to the choir and nobody knows what is going on and you usually have to play the song a few times before it sounds decent. Thats good and well and all, but I had bigger plans.



I thought: it will involve more people if we have everyone sing along, rather than just sit and listen to kids play bells. To sing along they'd need the words. It would also be good if we could indicate where in the song we are, so we stay together. Something like karaoke. I looked into how to make a karaoke video, but only found guides on trying to take the vocals out of popular music recordings (mostly by inverting the phase of one channel which effectively  removes anything panned to the center as well as attenuating anything that is not entirely panned left or right bla bla bla). So I gave up on that.

I thought about trying to do it with effects in a  presentation (powerpoint, but not Powerpoint), but trying to get the timing right was pretty well impossible. Then I realized I could just make a little coloured square behind the text and use many animations to make it jump from number to number. This requires someone to hit a button for each note, but that has benefits of flexibility in timing (which proved extraordinarily useful tonight while we were getting the hang of things). Just get a projector or large enough screen so everyone can see it even from the back of the gymnasium. Its a step up from poster board.

So I spent a really long time converting lists of numbers into big fancy Libre Office Presentations. Why Libre office? So many reasons. Most of which is because thats what I have on my computer and you can have it too for free! If I used Microsoft Powerpoint I would limit the users to people who can afford proprietary software. Libre office doesn't limit it from anyone. Its freedom. Pardon me while I get down from this soap box...

Anyway to do this I just used  a monospace font to put the appropriate note number over the appropriate syllable (or approximately above it as time went on and the cleanup took forever I settled for sloppier work). The big pain is moving the animations from to be over the numbers as syllables are wider or shorter between verses you really have to move all of them if you want it exact. Libre Office could use some work on their management of the effects (no copy/paste or group select), but they probably don't expect people to have 32 effects in one slide.

In the end, it maybe wasn't worth all the hours I spent on it, since we only sang 4 songs, but it was pretty awesome. We had some really good moments. Everyone had fun, and considering the number of 4-year-olds holding bells, it worked pretty well. With a little bit more experienced crowd you could have some good music going. Sure beats poster boards at least.

 If you just want more songs than you have already for your bells or want the lyrics with them they are copied below. If you actually want the presentations leave a comment and I'll send them to you. Maybe if demand reaches a level that it becomes measurable I'll figure out some sort of file hosting service so you can download them.
Enjoy!

I want a hippo    6,7 9,10,11,12,13,14,16,18
Jingle bells      3,5,8,10,12,13,15,17
Silent night      2,3,5,7,8,10,12,14,15,17,19,20
Rudolph           6,8,9,11,13,15,16,18
O Christmas Tree  1,5,6,8,10,11,13,15
Deck the Halls    7,8,10,12,13,15,17,19,20
I Heard the Bells 1,2,3,5,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,17,18
Away in a Manger  5,7,9,10,12,14,15,17
We Wish You       5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,17,20
White Christmas   2,3,5,7,8,9,10,12,14,15,17,19

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Bells: 6,7 9,10,11,12,13,14,16,18

9  14 14  9 9 11 11 6  6    9   9
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
14 14 14  9 9 11 11 6   6  9
Only  a  hippopotamus will do
 13    13  12 13   12 13 12 13  12  13
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
9  11 10 11 12 13 12 13 14  16   14  13  11 9
I want a hippo-po-tamus to play with and enjoy

9  14 14  9 9 11 11 6  6    9   9
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
14 14    14    9 9    11   11    6   6   9
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
12   13   13  12 13   12 13 12  13 12   13
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
  9    11   10   11    12    13   12
Just bring him through the front door,
  13   14  16 14  13  11 9
that's the easy thing to do!

9  11  12 16  9  12   11  14   7  11    
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
 9   12    6   16   14
creeping down the stairs,
14  14   13  11  13   16  9    11 13 14 13 14 18  9
Oh what joy and what surprise when I  open up my eyes
 9  11 13 16 14 13 7  11  9     9
To see a  hippo hero standing there

9  14 14  9 9 11 11 6  6    9   9
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
14 14 14  9 9 11 11 6   6  9
Only  a  hippopotamus will do
13  13 12 13   12 13 12 13 12 13
No crocodiles, no rhino-ceroses
11 11 11  11  16 14 13 11 9 9
I  on-ly like hippo-potamuses
9  11 10 11 12 13 12 13 18  14
And hippopotamuses like me too.

 13  13  12  13 13  12    13 12 13   12  13
Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
 11  9   11  12 13 11 13 14 16 14 13 11 9
Teacher says a  hippo is a  ve-ge-te-rian

   12    13  12  13   12  13 12  13  12 13   12 13
There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
 11  11   9   11   12   13   11   13   14  16   14  13  11 9
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

9  11  12 16  9  12   11  14   7  11    
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
 9   12    6   16   14
creeping down the stairs,
14  14   13  11  13   16  9    11 13 14 13 14 18  9
Oh what joy and what surprise when I  open up my eyes
 9  11 13 16 14 13 7  11  9     9
To see a  hippo hero standing there

9  14 14  9 9 11 11 6  6    9   9
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
14 14 14  9 9 11 11 6   6  9
Only  a  hippopotamus will do
13  13 12 13   12 13 12 13 12 13
No crocodiles, no rhino-ceroses
11 11 11  11  16 14 13 11 9 9
I  on-ly like hippo-potamuses
9  11 10 11 12 13 12 13 18  14
And hippopotamuses like me too.


Jingle Bells
Bells: 3,5,8,10,12,13,15,17


 3  12     10    8   3
Dashing through the snow
3  3  3   12  10 8     5
In a one horse open sleigh
 5   13    12   10 7
O'er the fields we go
 15  15  13  10  12
Laughing all the way
  3   12 10    8    3
Bells on bob tails ring
 3 12   10  8    5
Making spirits bright
 5    5  13 12 10  15  15   15
What fun it is to ride and sing
15  17  15   13   10 8
A sleighing song tonight

15   12 12  12     12 12  12
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
12  15  8   10  12
Jingle all the way
13   13   13 13 13 12  12
Oh, what fun it is to ride
12 12 12  10  10 12 10  15
In a one horse open sleigh
 12 12  12     12 12  12
Jingle bells, jingle bells
 12 15  8   10  12
Jingle all the way
13   13   13 13 13 12  12
Oh, what fun it is to ride
12 12 15  15  13 10   8
In a one horse open sleigh

3  3  12  10 8 3
A day or two ago
3    3    12   10  8  5
I thought I'd take a ride
 5   5    13  12 10   7
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
 15  17 15 13 10  12
Was seated by my side
  3   3    12  10   8    3
The horse was lean and lank
 3  3  12    10    8   5
Misfortune seemed his lot
 5  5 13 12 10 15 15   15
We got into a drifted bank
 15  17  15 13   10 8
And then we got upsot
 
15   12 12  12     12 12  12
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
12  15  8   10  12
Jingle all the way
13   13   13 13 13 12  12
Oh, what fun it is to ride
12 12 12  10  10 12 10  15
In a one horse open sleigh
 12 12  12     12 12  12
Jingle bells, jingle bells
 12 15  8   10  12
Jingle all the way
13   13   13 13 13 12  12
Oh, what fun it is to ride
12 12 15  15  13 10   8
In a one horse open sleigh


Silent Night
Bells: 2,3,5,7,8,10,12,14,15,17,19,20

10 12 10    7    10 12 10  7
7  8  7     3    7  8  7   3
Si - lent night, ho - ly night
17  17  14   15  15  10
 8  8   5     7  7    7
All is calm, all is bright
 12   12  15 14 12  10  12  10   7
 8    8   12 10 8   7   8   7    3
Round yon Vir - gin Mother and Child
12 12 15 14  12 10  12  10  7
8  8  12 10  8  7   8   7   3
Ho-ly Infant so tender and mild
 17   17 20 17 14 15 19
 8    8  14 8  5  7  10
Sleep in heavenly peace
15 10 7  10 8  5    15
7  7  3  7  5  2    3
Sleep in heavenly peace.

10 12 10    7    10 12 10  7
7  8  7     3    7  8  7   3
Si - lent night, ho - ly night
 17   17   14   15  15  10
  8   8    5     7  7    7
Shepherds quake at the sight
 12  12  15 14  12  10  12 10 7
 8   8   12 10  8   7   8  7  3
Glories stream from heaven afar
 12  12  15 14  12  10 12 10 7
 8   8   12 10  8   7  8  7  3
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-luia!
  17     17  20 17  14 15 19
  8      8   14 8   5  7  10
Christ, the Saviour is born
 15 10   7   10 8   5   15
 7  7    3   7  5   2   3
Christ, the Saviour is born.


10 12 10    7    10 12 10  7
7  8  7     3    7  8  7   3
Si - lent night, ho - ly night
17  17  14   15     15   10
 8  8   5     7     7     7
Son of God, love's pure light
 12 12  15 14  12  10  12 10  7
 8  8   12 10  8   7   8  7   3
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
 12  12   15  14 12 10 12 10  7
 8   8    12  10 8  7  8  7   3
With the dawn of re-dee-ming grace
 17 17  20   17 14  15 19
 8  8   14   8  5   7  10
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
15 10 7  10   8   5    15
7  7  3  7    5   2    3
Jes-us, Lord, at Thy birth.







Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Bells 6,8,9,11,13,15,16,18

 13  15  16 13   9  15  11  8   13  9   6  13 11
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
16 13  9  15 11  8  13  9   6  13  11
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
 8   8  8   8  13
But do you recall,
 13  15   16 16  16  15  13  11
The most famous reindeer of all?


 11  13   11  8    16   13  11
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
11 13 11 13 11 16  15
had a  very shiny nose.
 9  11  9  6 15  13 11
And if you ever saw it,
 11   13 11 13  11 13   8
you would even say it glows.

 11 13  11  8 16  13  11   
All of the other reindeer
 11  13   11   13  11   16  15
used to laugh and call him names.
  9  11  9  6   15   13  11
They never let poor Rudolph
 11  13 11 13  11  18    16
join in  any  reindeer games.

 13   13 16 13   11  8    11
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
 9 13  11   9  8
Santa came to say:
  6  8    11   13   15  15   15
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
 16    16   15  13   11    9   6
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

 11   13  11   8  16    13  11
Then all the reindeer loved him
11  13   11 13  11   16   15
as they shouted out with glee,
 9  11   9   6   15    13  1
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
 11    13  11  13 11  18 16
you'll go down in his-to-ry!
 

O Christmas Tree
bells: 1,5,6,8,10,11,13,15


1    6   6    6   8  10   10   10
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
10    8    10  11  5  8   6
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
1    6   6    6   8  10   10   10
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
10    8    10  11  5  8   6
Thy leaves are so unchanging;

13 13 10  15    13   13 13    11
Not only green when summer's here,
11  11 8  13   11   11  10   10
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
1    6   6    6   8  10   10   10
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
10    8    10  11  5  8   6
Thy leaves are so unchanging!


Deck the Halls
bells: 7,8,10,12,13,15,17,19,20


 15   13  12    10   8   10  12 8
Deck the halls with bows of holly
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la
15   13  12 10 8  10  12 8
Tis the season to be jolly
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la

10 12  13  10  12 13 15 10
Don we now our gay apparel
12 14 15 17 19 20 19 17 15
Fa la la la la la la la la
  15   13  12  10   8  10   12 8
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
17 17 17 17 15 13 12 10 8
Fa la la la la la la la la.

 15  13  12  10   8  10  12  8
See the blazing Yule before us,
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la.
  15   13   12  10   8    10  12 8
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la.

10 12  13 10 12 13  15 10
Follow me in merry measure,
12 14 15 17 19 20 19 17 15
Fa la la la la la la la la
  15  13 12  10   8   10   12  8
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
17 17 17 17 15 13 12 10 8
Fa la la la la la la la la.

 15 13 12  10  8   10   12 8
Fast away the old year passes,
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la.
 15   13  12  10   8  10   12 8
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
10 12 13 10 12 10 8  7  8
Fa la la la la la la la la.

 10  12  13 10  12  13 15 10
Sing we joyous, all together,
12 14 15 17 19 20 19 17 15
Fa la la la la la la la la
 15  13  12  10  8    10  12  8
Heedless of the wind and weather,
17 17 17 17 15 13 12 10 8
Fa la la la la la la la la.


 I Heard the Bells
bells: 1,2,3,5,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,17,18

6   10   9   10   10  11  10    11
1    6   6    6    6   8   8     8
     1   1    1        5   5     5
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
  12   13 18 17 15  15 13  13
   9   10 13 13 13  13 11  11
   6    6 10 10 10   6  5   5
Their old familiar carols play,
 13  13   11  10    11  10    8  6
 10  10    8   6     8   5    5  3
  6   6        1         2    2
And wild and sweet the words repeat
 8  10   11   13    15   5    8  6
     6    8   10    10   1       1
     1    3    6     6
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

6   10     9   10  10  11  10  11
1    6     6    6   6   8   8   8
     1     1    1       5   5   5
I thought how, as the day had come,
 12  13  18  17  15  15  13  13
  9  10  13  13  13  13  11  11
  6   6  10  10  10   6   5   5
The belfries of all Christendom
 13  13   11  10    11 10   8  6
 10  10    8   6     8  5   5  3
  6   6        1        2   2
Had rolled along the unbroken song
 8  10   11   13    15   5    8  6
     6    8   10    10   1       1
     1    3    6     6
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 6  10  9  10 10  11   10  11
 1   6  6   6  6   8    8   8
     1  1   1      5    5   5
And in despair I bowed my head:
  12   13 18  17   15  15    13  13
   9   10 13  13   13  13    11  11
   6    6 10  10   10   6     5   5
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
  13  13  11   10    11  10    8   6
  10  10   8    6     8   5    5   3
   6   6        1         2    2
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
 8  10   11   13    15   5    8  6
     6    8   10    10   1       1
     1    3    6     6
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

 6     10    9   10    10   11   10  11
 1      6    6    6     6    8    8   8
        1    1    1          5    5   5
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
 12  13  18  17    15  15  13   13
  9  10  13  13    13  13  11   11
  6   6  10  10    10   6   5    5
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
 13   13   11    10    11  10    8   6
 10   10    8     6     8   5    5   3
  6    6          1         2    2
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
   8  10   11   13    15   5    8  6
       6    8   10    10   1       1
       1    3    6     6
With peace on earth, good will to men."

  6    10  9  10  10   11  10  11
  1     6  6   6   6    8   8   8
        1  1   1        5   5   5
Till, ringing singing, on its way,
 12  13    18  17   15   15   13  13
  9  10    13  13   13   13   11  11
  6   6    10  10   10    6    5   5
The world revolved from night to day,
13  13   11  10   11  10    8  6
10  10    8   6    8   5    5  3
 6   6        1        2    2
A  voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
 8  10   11   13    15   5    8  6
     6    8   10    10   1       1
     1    3    6     6
Of peace on earth, good will to men!


Away in a Manger
bells:

17 17 15 14 14 12 10 10 9 7 5
5 5 7 5 5 12 9 7 5 10 14
17 17 15 14 14 12 10 10
9 7 5 5 15 14 12 14
12 10 12 7 9 10

17 17 15 14 14 12
Away  in  a manger,
10  10   9   7   5
No crib for His bed
 5   5  7    5   5 12
The little Lord Jesus
  9    7   5    10   14
Laid down His sweet head
   
 17   17  15  14 14 12
The stars in the sky
  10    10    9    7  5
Looked down where He lay
 5   15 14  12  14 12
The little Lord Jesus
 10 12  7  9   10
Asleep on the hay

 17  17 15  14  14 12
The cattle are lowing
 10  10   9 7   5
The poor Baby wakes
 5   5  7    5   5 12
But little Lord Jesus
 9  7  5  10  14
No crying He makes


 17   17  15  14 14 12
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
 10   10    9   7   5
Look down from the sky
 5   15 14  12  14 12
And stay by my side,
 10 12  7  9   10
'Til morning is nigh.

17 17 15 14 14 12
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
10 10   9  7   5
I ask Thee to stay
  5   5  7   5 5 12
Close by me forever
 9    7  5  10  14
And love me I pray

 17   17  15  14    14 12
Bless all the dear children
10  10  9  7   5
In Thy tender care
 5   15 14  12  14 12
And take us to heaven
10  12   7    9    10
To live with Thee there.



We Wish You a Merry Christmas
bells: 5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,17,20

 8   13  13 15 13 12  10 10
      5   5  5  5  5   6  6
We  wish you a Merry Christmas;
10   15  15 17 15 13  12   8
 6    7   7  7  7  7   8
We  wish you a Merry Christmas;
 8   17  17 18 17 15  13 10    
      8   8 10  9  5   6  6    
We  wish you a Merry Christmas
 8  8 10 15 12  13
 5  5  6  6  6   5
and a Happy New Year.
  8   13 13  13  12   12 13  12   10   8
       5  5   5   8    8  5   8    7
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
 15   17 15  13    20   8 
 12   13  8   5           
Good tidings for Christmas
 8  8 10 15 12   13
 5  5  6  6  6    5
and a Happy New Year.

 8   13  13 15 13 12  10 10
      5   5  5  5  5   6  6
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
10   15  15 17 15 13  12   8
 6    7   7  7  7  7   8
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
 8   17  17 18 17 15  13 10  
      8   8 10  9  5   6  6  
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding
 8  8 10  15  12   13
 5  5  6   6   6    5
and a cup of good cheer.

 8   13  13 15 13 12  10 10
      5   5  5  5  5   6  6
We won't go until we get some;
10   15  15 17 15 13  12   8
 6    7   7  7  7  7   8
We won't go until we get some;
 8   17  17 18 17 15  13 10   
      8   8 10  9  5   6  6   
We won't go until we get some,
 8  10    15  12   13
 5   6     6   6    5
so bring some out here.

 8   13  13 15 13 12   10 10
      5   5  5  5  5    6  6
We  wish you a Merry Christmas;
10   15  15 17 15 13   12   8
 6    7   7  7  7  7    8
We  wish you a Merry Christmas;
 8   17  17 18 17 15   13 10    8  8 10 15 12  13
      8   8 10  9  5    6  6    5  5  6  6  6   5
We  wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.


White Christmas
bells: 2,3,5,7,8,9,10,12,14,15,17,19

(Instrumental)
19 17 15 14 12 10 8
19 17 15 14 12 10 8
7    8   7   6 7   8     9 10
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
 12   14  15   17 15  14  12  10
Just like the ones I used to know
  3    5   7   7    7  12    10    3  3   3 10
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen
8   7   8       7    5  3    5
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

19 17 15 14 12 10 8
7    8   7   6 7   8     9 10
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
 12  14 15   17 15  14  12  10
With every Christmas card I write
 3    5    7   7  7 12  10   15
May your days be merry and bright
 3   5   7    7    12  2 2    2   3
And may all your Christmases be white