On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring.
On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth!

This joyous Christmas song was first published by Luke Wadding, an Irish bishop, in a 17th century collection called Small Garland of Godly and Pious Songs. It became known as ?Sussex Carol? in the early 20th century upon being collected by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who heard it being sung by a folk singer in Sussex, England. He later included it in his choral settings, Eight Traditional English Carols and Fantasia on Christmas Carols.

This lever harp arrangement is in the key of G (with a short section in D mixolydian for variety, from measures 56 to 65). There are no lever changes. It is suited for harps with at least 34 strings.

The right hand has the melody most of the time, with the left hand accompanying; but the left hand gets to take center stage from measures 33 through 47; again from measures 86 through 89; and again at the end, from measures 100 through 106.

This arrangement is great for all Christmas events, from church services to concerts to parties.
The YouTube video shows the pedal harp arrangement, which is exactly the same as the lever harp arrangement except that it is in the key of G flat instead of G; and it has ONE extra very low note at the very end.

For more harp arrangements by Stephanie Bennett, please subscribe to HarpworldMusicCo on Youtube, and visit www.harpworld.com/sheetmusic.html.
I hope you enjoy sharing this cheerful song with your listeners, during many happy holidays! - Stephanie Bennett

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major) is one of Mozart?s most beloved works. Written in 1787, it was scored for two violins, viola, and cello with optional double bass. The German title means ?a little serenade,? though it is often translated more literally as ?a little night music.?

In this arrangement of the second movement (?Romanza,? meaning ?Romance?), I have omitted the frenetic middle section of the movement, so that what is left is uniformly gracious, calm and romantic - lovely for concerts, for background music or for wedding processionals.

Meticulously notated with fingerings, muffles and pedal changes.

There are 3 pages of music, plus a page explaining all the notations & techniques.

CD is available on CDBaby.com (?A Beautiful Classic Wedding? by Lace & Roses Music). MP3 is available on CDBaby.com or on iTunes (search for ?Lace & Roses Music?).

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major) is one of Mozart?s most beloved works. Written in 1787, it was scored for two violins, viola, and cello with optional double bass. The German title means ?a little serenade,? though it is often translated more literally as ?a little night music.?

In this arrangement of the second movement (?Romanza,? meaning ?Romance?), I have omitted two sections that were too chromatic to work well on lever harp. What is left is uniformly gracious, calm and romantic - lovely for concerts, for background music or for wedding processionals.

Meticulously notated with fingerings and muffles. Lever changes are indicated by diamond-shaped notes.

There are 3 pages of music, plus a page explaining all the notations.

For an easier version, you could play just the first section (the first page of music), in which there are NO lever changes. For advanced lever harpers wishing to play the entire arrangement, there are 21 lever changes (not counting the repeats). Full levers needed (there are Bb?s, F#s, C#?s and D#?s.)

Range of harp needed: at least down to the G at the bottom of the bass clef.

This book is filled with short exercises and excellent descriptions and drawings. Even though this book assumes the reader is a beginner, it does not cover note-reading. However, it covers the basics of playing the double strung harp (two parallel rows of strings.) Exercises explain the unique sounds this instrument can produce. Focuses on placing, echoing, rolled chords, crossing over and under, scales, wandering thumb, and more.

Tunes are: All Through the Night, Rose Rose, Reflecting Moon, For Ruth, Nonesuch, Chanter?s Tune, Einini, Mairi?s Wedding, Si Beag Si Mor. All of these tunes have variations using methods unique to the double strung harp