Christmas Sheet Music – Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells

The Origins of Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells is one of the most recognizable holiday melodies in the world, but its roots reach far beyond Christmas. The music was written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovich. He transformed a traditional folk chant into the captivating piece we know today. You can find nearly 70 different arrangements of this delightful work on our website.

From Shchedryk to a Seasonal Tradition

Originally titled “Shchedryk,” the song takes its name from the Ukrainian word meaning “bountiful.” It belongs to a long tradition of winter well-wishing songs and is based on an ancient folk chant passed down through generations.

The Story Behind the Lyrics

The original text tells the story of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the good fortune and plentiful year that lies ahead. Traditionally, on January 13—New Year’s Eve according to the Julian calendar—Ukrainian villagers, often girls or young women, would travel from house to house singing these New Year songs. In return, householders rewarded them with baked goods and other treats.

A Simple Motif with Powerful Impact

Musically, Shchedryk is built on a simple but hypnotic four-note ostinato, confined to the narrow range of a minor third. This repeating pattern gives the piece its distinctive sense of urgency and motion.

Bringing Shchedryk to the West

The song gained international attention in 1920 when the Ukrainian Republic Capella, directed by Oleksander Koshetz, toured Western Europe and North America. Their performances introduced audiences to Ukrainian choral music and because of this, laid the groundwork for the song’s global popularity.

The Birth of Carol of the Bells

One audience member, Peter J Wilhousky, was particularly struck by the piece. Inspired by the music’s shimmering effect, he wrote entirely new English lyrics. This then, transformed the song into a Christmas carol he titled “Carol of the Bells.” Wilhousky copyrighted and published his version in 1936. While his lyrics bear no resemblance to the original text, they captured the sound of pealing bells so vividly that the song quickly became a holiday staple in the United States and Canada.

A Timeless Holiday Classic

Today, Carol of the Bells continues to enchant audiences worldwide. Its ringing motif a timeless echo of its Ukrainian folk origins.

We love the performance of Carol of the Bells on YouTube by the Fairfield County Children’s Choir 

Lyrics

Carol of the Bells vs Shchedryk

If that’s not enough to inspire you take a look at the previous post for 2024.