Ethan Walker
Carol of the Bells is a popular Christmas carol with a fascinating history. Despite its association with Christmas, the song's origins lie not in a religious text but in a Ukrainian folk song called Shchedryk, which has been dated to 1914, 1916 or 1919. With lyrics inspired by ancient Ukrainian folk traditions, Shchedryk tells the tale of a swallow flying into a home, foretelling a bountiful year to come. This song, with its haunting four-note melody, underwent a transformation in 1936 when Ukrainian-American composer Peter Wilhousky wrote new lyrics with an explicit Christmas theme, thus giving birth to Carol of the Bells.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original Song | Shchedryk |
| Original Song Writer | Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych |
| Original Song Writer's Other Works | N/A |
| Original Song Language | Ukrainian |
| Original Song Genre | Ukrainian folk song |
| Original Song Theme | Winter well-wishing song |
| Original Song Year | 1916 |
| Adapted Song | Carol of the Bells |
| Adapted Song Writer | Peter Wilhousky |
| Adapted Song Writer's Other Works | N/A |
| Adapted Song Language | English |
| Adapted Song Genre | Christmas carol |
| Adapted Song Year | 1936 |
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What You'll Learn
- Carol of the Bells is based on a Ukrainian folk song
- The original song, Shchedryk, was written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych
- The song was not originally a Christmas carol
- The English lyrics were written in 1936 by American composer Peter Wilhousky
- The song has been recorded in over 150 versions
Carol of the Bells is based on a Ukrainian folk song
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol that has been recorded in over 150 versions and re-arrangements. It is based on the Ukrainian New Year's song "Shchedryk", which was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in or before 1916. The song is based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3/4 time signature, with the B-flat bell pealing in 6/8 time.
The original "Shchedryk" is a Ukrainian folk song, with lyrics describing a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the bountiful year that the family will have. The song's title is derived from the Ukrainian word "shchedryj", which means "bountiful". The swallow is a herald of spring, and the song may have pre-Christian origins. The original lyrics describe the swallow calling out to the master of the home, foretelling a year of healthy livestock, money, and a beautiful wife.
In 1936, American composer Peter Wilhousky of Ukrainian origin wrote English lyrics for "Shchedryk", giving it a Christmas theme with references to silver bells, caroling, and the line "merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas". The new song, "Carol of the Bells", became popular in the United States and has since been recorded by various artists, including Fred Warring and his Pennsylvanians, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and Phil Spitalny's "Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra".
"Carol of the Bells" has been featured in films and television shows and has been adapted for various musical genres, including classical, heavy metal, jazz, country music, rock, trap, and pop. It has become a Christmas staple in the United States and other parts of the world, while the original "Shchedryk" remains less popular in Ukraine, where songs like it are traditionally performed on the eve of the Julian New Year.
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The original song, Shchedryk, was written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol that is based on the Ukrainian New Year song "Shchedryk". The original song, "Shchedryk", was written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych (or Leontovich). It is adapted from an old Ukrainian folk song, "The Little Swallow", which describes a swallow flying into a house and foretelling a bountiful new year. The Ukrainian word "shchedryj" means "bountiful".
The song was commissioned by Ukrainian choral conductor, arranger, composer, writer, musicologist, and lecturer Oleksander Koshyts (or Alexander Koshetz) in 1919. Leontovych adapted the folk song into "Shchedryk", which premiered in Kyiv in December 1916. The song is a four-part choral work with a haunting four-note melody based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3/4 time signature.
In 1936, over a decade after it debuted in the US, American composer Peter Wilhousky, who had Ukrainian roots, wrote English lyrics with an explicit Christmas theme and named it "Carol of the Bells". Wilhousky copyrighted his new lyrics and, as director of music in New York City schools, broadcast it on NBC Radio, making the song immensely popular. The song has since been recorded in over 150 versions and rearrangements and has become a Christmas classic in the United States.
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The song was not originally a Christmas carol
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol with a haunting four-note melody. However, the song was not originally a Christmas carol. Instead, it was a Ukrainian folk song written as a "winter well-wishing song". The original lyrics, written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, are titled "Shchedryk", derived from the Ukrainian word "shchedryj", which means "bountiful". The song tells the tale of a swallow flying into a household and proclaiming the wealth and prosperity that the family will possess in the coming year. This includes healthy livestock, money, and a beautiful wife. The swallow is a herald of spring, suggesting possible pre-Christian origins for the song.
The song's transformation into a Christmas carol began in 1936 when American choir director and arranger Peter Wilhousky heard Leontovych's choral work. The melody reminded him of bells, and he wrote new lyrics to convey that imagery for his choir. Wilhousky copyrighted the new lyrics and published the song, despite it being originally published almost two decades earlier in Soviet Ukraine. The new lyrics included references to silver bells, caroling, and the line "merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas". The song quickly gained popularity, with American recordings in English surfacing in the 1940s by notable groups such as Fred Warring and his Pennsylvanians, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and Phil Spitalny's "Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra".
The song's popularity continued to grow, and it became a beloved Christmas carol, particularly among choirs. Despite its widespread association with Christmas, Shchedryk" remains less popular in its country of origin, Ukraine. When Anthony Potoczniak, a Rice University anthropology graduate student studying the song's history, directed a group of amateur carolers in Ukraine, he was told that it was too early and "out of place" to sing melodies like "Shchedryk" during Christmastime.
The journey of "Carol of the Bells" from a Ukrainian folk song to a modern choral favorite is quite remarkable. It showcases the power of music to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, as audiences around the world fell in love with the song's uplifting message and enchanting melody, even without understanding the original Ukrainian lyrics.
Today, "Carol of the Bells" has been recorded in over 150 versions and rearrangements, showcasing its versatility and enduring appeal. It has been adapted for various musical genres, including classical, heavy metal, jazz, country, rock, trap, and pop. The song's ubiquitous presence during the holiday season in the West is a testament to its ability to bring joy and cheer to people of all backgrounds.
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The English lyrics were written in 1936 by American composer Peter Wilhousky
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol that has been recorded in over 150 versions and re-arrangements. The song is based on the Ukrainian New Year's song "Shchedryk", which was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in or before 1916. The English-language lyrics were written in 1936 by American composer Peter Wilhousky, who had Ukrainian roots.
Wilhousky, who was a choir director and arranger, heard Leontovych's choral work and was reminded of bells. He wrote new lyrics to convey that imagery for his choir and copyrighted the new version in 1936. The song, now called "Carol of the Bells", became associated with Christmas due to its references to silver bells, caroling, and the line "merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas". Wilhousky's position as the director of music in New York City schools and his broadcast of the song on NBC Radio helped it gain immense popularity.
The original Ukrainian folk song, known as "The Little Swallow", described a swallow swooping into a house and foretelling a bountiful new year to the master of the house. It was a "winter well-wishing song" and had possible pre-Christian origins. The song was adapted by Leontovych into "Shchedryk", which premiered in Kyiv in December 1916. The Ukrainian word "shchedryj" means "bountiful".
"Carol of the Bells" has a four-note ostinato that is as recognizable as the opening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The song has been adapted into various musical genres, including classical, heavy metal, jazz, country music, rock, trap, and pop. It has also been featured in films and television shows, including the 1990 film "Home Alone". The song has brought joy and cheer to listeners and become a beloved part of the Christmas season.
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The song has been recorded in over 150 versions
"Carol of the Bells" has been recorded in over 150 versions and rearrangements for varying vocal and instrumental compositions. The song's popularity soared in the 1940s, with notable groups such as Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and Phil Spitalny's "Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra" recording American versions in English. The song's fame continued to grow when it was featured in television advertisements for Andre champagne in the 1970s.
In 1995, Savatage recorded a heavy-metal medley of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells," which became the No. 1 requested song on New York's influential WPLJ station. This success led to the formation of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the release of a new album based on the song. In 2002, the California Guitar Trio recorded a unique version for their album "A Christmas Album," with all instrumentation, voices, and bells represented by guitars.
The song continued to be recorded and performed by various artists, including Nox Arcana, The Bird and the Bee, Shawn Lee, Voctave, Lindsey Stirling, Lena Meyer-Landrut, and Mantikor, each putting their unique spin on the beloved carol. In 2021, the Swedish metal band Sabaton included a segment from "Carol of the Bells" in their album "The War to End All Wars."
The song's enduring popularity is evident in its diverse interpretations, ranging from heavy metal to a capella, and its inclusion in films and television shows, such as the 1990 classic "Home Alone." "Carol of the Bells" has become a staple of the holiday season, bringing joy and cheer to people worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
'Carol of the Bells' is a Christmas carol with roots in Ukraine. It is based on the Ukrainian New Year's song 'Shchedryk' and was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in or before 1916. The English lyrics were written in 1936 by American composer of Ukrainian origin, Peter Wilhousky.
The song is about the joy and cheer that bells bring to people during the Christmas season. The original Ukrainian version, 'Shchedryk', is about a swallow flying into a house to herald a bountiful new year.
The song became a Christmas carol in 1936 when Peter Wilhousky wrote new lyrics with an explicit Christmas theme. The carol begins, "Hark! How the bells...", and includes the line, "Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas".
The song was originally a Ukrainian folk song that was popular in pre-Christian Ukraine. It was adapted by composer Mykola Leontovych into the song 'Shchedryk', which premiered in Kyiv in December 1916. The song debuted in the US in 1919 and became a Christmas carol when Wilhousky wrote the new lyrics in 1936.
'Carol of the Bells' is a popular Christmas song that has been recorded in over 150 versions and re-arrangements. It has been featured in films and television shows and has brought joy and cheer to people during the Christmas season. The song also reminds us about the important need for hope during difficult times.
