Carol of the Bells
Carol of the Bells: history, origin, meaning and why this traditional Christmas carol still belongs on the December songbook.
The familiar English Christmas song uses the melody of the Ukrainian Shchedryk, composed by Mykola Leontovych from a traditional chant.
- Origin
- Ukraine
- Era
- 20th century adaptation
Why it belongs in the Christmas songbook
Carol of the Bells survives because it has a strong musical identity. You can usually recognise it before the first line is finished, which is exactly what a seasonal song needs after generations of repetition.
Listening tip
Try one traditional choir or acoustic arrangement before reaching for the modern pop versions. Old carols often make more sense when you hear the space, tempo and harmonies they were built around.
Rights note: the underlying historical composition may be public domain, but modern recordings and arrangements can have separate copyright. Use recordings you are licensed to play.