Reprinted from the 1915 Elkin edition

Elgar composed "Carillon" as a recitation with orchestral accompaniment to words by the Belgian poet Emile Cammaerts. In August of 1914, Germany invaded and occupied Belgium, despite the resistance of King Albert and his army. That Christmas, in London, a patriotic anthology was produced entitled King Alberts' Book ("A tribute to the Belgian King and people from represetative men and women throughout the world") with contributions from leading artists, writers, and musicians. "Carillon" was Elgar's contribution. Hugh Blair, transcriber of the present solo organ version of the piece, was the organist of Worcester Cathedral, and a life-long friend of Elgar. It was he who gave the first performance of Elgar's one major organ work, the Sonata in G, Opus 28.