Carol of the Bells

Christmas » Christmas Carols » Carol of The Bells

Carol of the bells is a very old and an awesome Christmas carol in the West. This is a carol which was composed by Ukrainian Mykola Leontovych as "Shchedryk" and was later translated in English by Peter J Wilhousky. The unique element in this song was that the English translation was not at all similar to the Ukrainian version. The new song was meant for the ancient era which described the pagan chant which was performed by the Ukrainians during the New Year celebration.

This is a song which has a four note ostinato motif. This is a favorite song of the English speaking people around the world in the holiday season. This song has been produced in several genres and many different styles of singing. This is a song which is available in many genres like pop, rock, jazz and classical. The lyrics of the song are under the copyright of Peter J Wilhousky.

Versions of the song: -

There are basically 4 versions of this song. They are as follows: -

1. Version 1: - Carol of the Bells; sung by: Wilhousky release year 1936; start of the song: - "Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells.")

2. Version 2: - Carol of the Bells; sung by: Anonymous; release year 1972; start of the song: - "Hark to the bells, Hark to the bells"

3. Version 3: - Carol of the Bells; sung by: Minna Louise Hohman; release year 1947; start of the song: - "Ring, Christmas Bells,"

4. Version 4: - Carol of the bells sung by Erica Avery)

   The translation and its composition

   The song was composed in the year 1904. The song was introduced in the year 1916 in the month of December. It was first performed by a group of students who were present in the University of Kiev. It was also sung to the Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus. This was done during its concert tour of Europe and America. This song was premiered in the United States of America in the year 1921 on 5th October. This premier took place in Carnegie Hall. This song has a copyright on it. This copyright was created by Peter Wilhousky in the year 1930; after this, there was no looking back. This song has been one of the most common and famous Christmas carol and one of the most sung carols during the Christmas season.

   How did Carol of the bells originate?

   This is a very typical folk song. One can listen to just the beginning of this song and can understand its characteristic. This song was originated in Ukraine after Christmas and before New Year. This was also the time when Christianity was introduced in Ukraine in the month of December and the New Year celebrations spread from January to April. The songs sung for this celebration are known as Schedrivky.

   Lyrics of this song: English

   Hark how the bells,
   Sweet silver bells,
   All seem to say,
   Throw cares away

   Christmas is here,
   Bringing good cheer,
   To young and old,
   Meek and the bold,
   

   Oh how they pound,
   Raising the sound,
   O'er hill and dale,
   Telling their tale,
   

   Gaily they ring
   While people sing
   Songs of good cheer,
   Christmas is here,
   

   Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
   Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
   On on they send,
   On without end,
   Their joyful tone to every home
   Dong Ding dong ding, dong Bong

   This is a very lively song and people love to listen to it. It starts in a peaceful manner gets louder and louder as it progresses. This is a song which everyone likes to hum and sing aloud in the spirit of Christmas. This is one of the most famous Christmas carols and is loved by people of any age group. It is not only famous in the United States of America but all around the world.