26/11/2025
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE WELL-KNOWN CHRISTMAS "CAROL OF THE BELLS" HAS UTS ORIGINS IN A TRADITIONAL UKRAINIAN FOLK CHANT CALLED "Shchedryk"?
The song's journey from an ancient spring new year's well-wishing tune in Ukraine to a globally recognized Christmas classic in the West is a story of cultural adaptation, political diplomacy, and a composer's tragic fate.
The original tune for "Shchedryk" dates back to pre-Christian times in Ukraine.
It was a ritual song sung to welcome the New Year, which was celebrated in March with the arrival of spring.
The original Ukrainian lyrics tell the story of a swallow flying into a household to predict a prosperous and bountiful year for the family, with a rich harvest and healthy livestock.
The title comes from the Ukrainian word shchedryi, meaning "bountiful" or "generous".
Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych heard the simple four-note melody and spent years working on an intricate choral arrangement, completing his final version in 1916.
This choral masterpiece was first performed by a student choir at Kyiv University in December 1916.
Following Ukraine's declaration of independence in 1918, the new head of state, Symon Petliura, sought international recognition to counter Russian influence. He used a national choir, led by conductor Oleksandr Koshyts, as a tool of cultural diplomacy, sending them on a world tour to showcase a distinct Ukrainian culture.
The Ukrainian National Chorus toured Europe and the Americas, performing over 1,000 concerts. "Shchedryk" was one of their most popular pieces.
The song made its American debut on October 5, 1922, to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where it received rapturous reviews.
Tragically, Leontovych was murdered in his father's home in January 1921 by an undercover agent of the Soviet secret police, just hours before the choir's second Paris performance.
Peter J. Wilhousky, an American composer and conductor of Ukrainian descent who worked for NBC Radio, was in the audience at the Carnegie Hall concert.
Inspired by the four-note melody and its bell-like sound, he wrote new, English-language lyrics in 1936, discarding the original story about a swallow.
Wilhousky's version, which he titled "Carol of the Bells," was first broadcast by his school choir on NBC radio and became an instant hit. He copyrighted his lyrics, and the song quickly became an American Christmas staple, later featured in numerous films and television shows, including Home Alone.
The concert of a Ukrainian choir "Homin" which I visited together with my Ukrainian friend in The Hague this weekend was a true gathering of sober-minded people who treasure our tradition and culture.
As today, the song is a symbol of Ukrainian heritage and a reminder of the country's ongoing struggle for identity and independence.
There were many songs sung that evening in the Old Church, but the most famous was "Shchedryk", the story of which I decided to share with you, my dearest friends.
And can you remind me in which popular film you can hear this song?
So, you like it, you don't like it, LET ME KNOW!
With all my love,
Oksana S. -
Your Guide to Positive
From the Netherlands.
