Shchedryk / Щедрик. Carol of the Bells. Original Ukrainian Version With English & Ukrainian Lyrics

“Shchedryk” (the original “Carol of the Bells”) with lyrics I’ve translated from Ukrainian into English, as well as with original lyrics in Ukrainian.

“Shchedryk” was arranged by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych at the beginning of the 20th century. The song is based on the traditional Ukrainian folk chant welcoming the New Year (“shchedrivka”). In 1921, the Ukrainian National Chorus sung the song in the United States to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall. Later, Peter J. Wilhousky rearranged the melody for orchestra and wrote the new lyrics in English thus creating “Carol of the Bells”. The original “Shchedryk” by Leontovych was intended to be sung a cappella by mixed four-voice choir.