Shchedryk

The tune known around the world as the “Carol of the Bells” has nothing to do with bells, actually — and isn’t even a Christmas carol.

Plenty! A New Year’s wish for plenty!

A swallow flew by

She started twittering

To call the head of household from his home.

"Come outside, master of the house!

Look at your flocks:

The sheep have given birth,

And lambs have been born.

Your goods are of fine quality;

You will have money in good measure!

And if no money, then that's OK:

Your wife is dark-eyed and beautiful.”

Plenty! Plenty: a New Year’s wish!

A swallow flew by.

—

The Ukrainian word for Christmas carol, koliadka, is distinct from the word shchedrivka, which denotes a song containing good wishes for the New Year. The very title of this piece, Shchedryk, is a form of the latter word, identifying this piece as a New Year’s song.

The lyrics place the traditional good wishes for a bountiful New Year in an agrarian context, with wishes for healthy livestock, a plentiful harvest of wheat — and for love within the home. I have depicted the swallow’s wishes quite literally… adding only a small, toppled belltower in reference to this “carol’s” misunderstood identity.

The genesis of the English-language version is a separate story, about which much has been written.¹ In this context, I will only point out one thing: the repeating melodic motive in this song is likely based on a sparrow's lively twittering; the final, deep note added in the Wilhousky arrangement was a fanciful addition, not found in the original.

¹Peresunko, Tina. Cultural Diplomacy of Simon Petliura: 'Shchedryk' against the 'Russian World' and the mission of the Alexander Koshyts choir (1919-1924). Tina Peresunko has lectured extensively on the Koshyts tour, and on the reception – and transformation – of this composition.

This recording is a track from "Glory to God in the Highest: Christmas Music from the Ukrainian Orthodox Tradition," St. Andrew Memorial Church Choir; Taras Pavlovsky, Director. Recorded 2000.

The album is not available digitally, but may be ordered at https://uocofusa.org/music