Ding Dong Merrily on High is a beautiful 16th century French tune that remains a much loved Christmas carol. This piano arrangement of it is in theme and variations form.
Have a look/listen to it below:
I hope you enjoy learning it!
Ding Dong Merrily on High Sheet Music
This piano arrangement of Ding Dong Merrily on High is based on a theme and variations structure.
The theme is played at the beginning of the piece and then varied through a number of different variations.
The piano music is quite challenging due to the fast tempo of the piece and the key of B flat major (2 flats).
Some slow practice of the left hand movement will be particularly helpful when learning the piece.
Also, the right hand scalic runs (where the lyric “Gloria” is sung in the carol) will benefit from slow practice before speeding them up. It is important to try to create a sense of flow in this melodic line.
There are quite a number of articulation and phrasing marks on the sheet music to look for.
The staccato notes are crucial to providing the light touch needed throughout the piece.
Ding Dong Lyrics
The lyrics to Ding Dong Merrily on High were written in the early 20th century by George Ratcliffe Woodward, and English composer. The lyrics were published in 1924.
Each verse ends with the repeated refrain “Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!”.
Ding-dong! Merrily on high
in heaven the bells are ringing.
Ding-dong! Verily the sky
is riven with angels singing:
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
E’en so, here below, below,
let steeple bells be swungen;
and i-o, i-o, i-o,
by priest and people sungen!
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
Pray you, dutifully prime
your matin chime, you ringers;
may you beautifully rhyme
your evetime song, you singers:
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
