capri0mni | Okay... I think this song is finished

pretty much the same, except I expanded the fourth verse into two seperate verses, and I puzzled out that question of how to get the really bad kids tied up in Old Nick's sack -- and how to add rests to the score, so it sounds a bit "sharper."

Bells on the Wind
by Ann Magill

Oh, the garlands are hung and the candles shine bright,
and we're gathered together on this joyful night.
In moments of quiet, if you will attend,
you will hear the glad ringing of bells on the wind
(Bells on the wind, bells on the wind)
You will hear the glad ringing of bells on the wind.

From his home far away, wild Nicholas flies,
and his whoops, and his hollers, they ring through the skies.
He's calling his coursers to speed on their way
With their hooves and horns flash-ing as they pull his sleigh.
(They pull his sleigh, they pull his sleigh)
With their hooves and horns flashing as they pull his sleigh.

Yes, old Nicholas laughs as he flies through the air,
for he's bringing the treasures he's gathered all year.
The gifts that he brings, oh, you know that it's true:
They reveal all the secrets he knows about you
(Knows about you, knows about you)
They reveal all the secrets he knows about you.

Oh, if you have been generous, and you've been kind,
Then the gifts that he brings will delight heart and mind -
To help keep you warm, and invite you to play
And to gladden your spirit through cold winter days.
(Cold winter days, cold winter days)
And to gladden your spirit through cold winter days.

But if you have been miserly, or you've been mean,
Then the fate meant for you will be harsh and be keen.
He'll bundle you up, in the back of his sleigh --
Tie you up in his sack, and he'll take you away!
(Take you away, take you away!)
Tie you up in his sack, and he'll take you away!

Oh, the garlands are hung and the candles shine bright,
and we're gathered together on this joyful night.
In moments of quiet, if you will attend,
you will hear the glad ringing of bells on the wind
(Bells on the wind, bells on the wind)
You will hear the glad ringing of bells on the wind.

If you want to hear the tune (or download a .pdf file of the score) you can copy and paste the bold text Tune-o-tron and click submit. Remember: It's important to turn off any pop-up blockers, though, or it won't work.

X:1
T:Bells on the wind
M:4/4
L:1/8=210
C:Ann Magill
K:Db
B,B,E2EEG2|GGE2DEG2|GGD2DDE2|EEG2EDE2|zGB2BBA2|
AAG2EGA2|GGE2EED2|B,DG2EDE2|zE2DB,D2z|G2EDE3z|
GGE2EED2|B,DG2EDE2|-E2z6||

Now, I want to learn the art of arranging, so I can add ringing bells to the background of the midi... I think this is the first song I've done where I can imagine accompaniment to go with it...

Oh, and I pulled my Secret Santa package from the box.... I have strict orders not to open it until the appointed day, but I couldn't help noticing that the return address is Derbyshire, England, and that the customs label said there was a book, a CD, chocolates, and a homemade ornament inside... (which as we all know, is not really spoilering [whistles innocently], as I don't know anything until I read the book, taste the chocolate, listen to the CD, and hang the ornament...)

Ho, ho, ho!

(oh and my Secret Santa package got to its destination safely. Way to go Amazon.com! And has been hidden away from my Santee until Christmas. Way to go, Hubby!) ;-)