Choir Performs 'Shchedryk'- The Ukrainian Song That Inspired 'Carol Of The Bells'

December 5, 2019

"Shchedryk" is a Ukrainian New Year's carol, known in English as "The Little Swallow". It was arranged by composer Mykola Leontovych in 1916, and tells a story of a swallow flying into a household to sing of wealth that will come with the following spring.

The song was later adapted as an English Christmas carol, "Carol of the Bells", by Peter J. Wilhousky following a performance by Alexander Koshetz's Ukrainian National Chorus at Carnegie Hall in 1921.

Wilhousky wrote new lyrics and the song has been a popular Christmas Carol ever since.

Watch Lithuanian choir Bel Canto Choir Vilnius perform a breathtaking version of "Shchedryk" in the video below.