Carol of the Bells
| "Carol of the Bells" | |
|---|---|
| Christmas carol by Mykola Leontovych | |
 The four-note motif (shown four times) | |
| Text | by Peter J. Wilhousky |
| Based on | "Shchedryk" |
| Composed | before 1916 |
| ⓘ | |
"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, which is based on the Ukrainian New Years celebration song "Shchedryk". The music for the carol comes from the song written and arranged by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych between 1901 and 1916. English-language lyrics were written in 1936 by the American composer Peter Wilhousky.[1][2]
The music is based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3
4 time signature, with the B-flat bell pealing in 6
8 time. The carol is metrically bistable[3] (which means it is characterized by hemiola, or two different alternating meters), with a listener being able to focus on either meter or switch between them. It has been adapted for musical genres that include classical, heavy metal, jazz, country music, rock, trap, and pop. The music has been featured in films and television shows.
Background
[edit]Origins
[edit]
The conductor of the Ukrainian Republic Capella, Oleksander Koshyts, commissioned the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych to create a song based on traditional Ukrainian folk music. The resulting choral composition, "Shchedryk, was based on a four-note motif Leontovych found in the Ukrainian anthology.[4]
The original Ukrainian folk story related to the song was associated with the coming New Year that, prior to the introduction of Christianity, likely was celebrated in Ukraine in February or March, with the arrival of swallows, or with the spring equinox, in association with the coming of spring in April.[5] The original Ukrainian title translates to "the generous one",[6] or is perhaps derived from the Ukrainian word for bountiful (shchedryj),[4] and tells a tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the bountiful year that the family will have.
After the introduction of Christianity to Ukraine and the adoption of the Julian calendar the celebration of the new year was moved from April to January. The holiday with which the chant was originally associated became Malanka (Ukrainian: Щедрий вечір, Shchedry vechir), the eve of the Julian new year (the night of 13-14 January in the Gregorian calendar). The songs sung for this celebration are known as Shchedrivky.[7]
Leontovych wrote the tune for the song while he was living and working in Pokrovsk (Eastern Ukraine) between 1904 and 1908.[8] It was first performed by the Ukrainian students at Kyiv University in December 1916.[9] It was introduced to Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus during its 1919 concert tour of Europe. The tour was organized as a way to generate support for the fledgling independent nation of Ukraine, which had declared its independence, but which the Bolshevik government in Moscow refused to recognize.[10][11]
The song premiered in the United States on October 5, 1922,[12] to a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall and the American audience fell in love with the Ukrainian song.[4] The original work was intended to be sung a cappella by mixed four-voice choir.[9]
Two other settings of the composition were also created by Leontovych: one for the women's choir (unaccompanied), and another for the children's choir with piano accompaniment. These two are rarely performed or recorded.[according to whom?]
English lyrics versions
[edit]In 1936, Wilhousky rearranged the melody for the orchestra with new lyrics for NBC radio network's symphony orchestra, centred around the theme of bells because the melody reminded him of handbells,[9] which begins "Hark! How the bells".[13] It was first aired during the Great Depression.[9] Wilhousky secured copyright to the new lyrics and the published song, despite the song having been published almost two decades earlier in the Ukrainian National Republic.[4] Broad popularity of the song stemmed largely from Wilhousky's ability to reach a wide audience in his role as arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. His adaptation is now strongly associated with Christmas because of his new lyrics that reference bells and caroling, and his line "merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas".[4]
"Ring, Christmas Bells", an English-language variant featuring nativity-based lyrics, was written by Minna Louise Hohman in 1947.[14] Two other versions exist by anonymous writers: one from 1957 entitled "Come Dance and Sing" and one from 1972 that begins "Hark to the bells".[13]
American recordings by various artists began to surface on the radio in the 1940s.[4] The song gained further popularity when an instrumental was featured in television advertisements for André champagne in the 1970s. "Carol of the Bells" has been recorded in more than 150 versions and re-arrangements for varying vocal and instrumental compositions.[15]
Notable recordings
[edit]- 1962: The Ray Conniff album We Wish You a Merry Christmas included the "Ring Christmas Bells" version by Minna Louise Hohman.[16][17][18]
- 1963: Carol of the Bells in an orchestral version, conducted by Leonard Bernstein, and New York Philharmonic Orchestra: on the LP The Joy of Christmas, also featuring The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, directed by Richard P. Condie, recorded in Salt Lake City, September 3, 1963.
- 1982: George Winston arranged and recorded a version of the carol for his solo piano album "December", which went on to sell over 3 million copies.[19]
- 1988: Mannheim Steamroller recorded a prog-rock version on their second Christmas studio album A Fresh Aire Christmas, which has sold over 6 million copies in the U.S., making it one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time.[20]
- 1990: Wynton Marsalis recorded a syncopated version on the album Crescent City Christmas Card with the role of the bells carried by brass.[21]
- 1990: Composer John Williams conducted a version for the Home Alone: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Williams' "Carol of the Bells" charted at number 86 on Billboard's Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 chart, which measured chart data 1958–2016.[22]
- 1993: David Foster wrote a rendition for his album The Christmas Album. On Billboard's Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 chart, which measured chart data 1958–2016, Foster's take on "Carol of the Bells" charted at number 77.[22]
- 1995: Savatage recorded "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24", an instrumental, heavy-metal medley of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells". The song became the No. 1 requested song on the influential New York station WPLJ, which led to the band gaining label support to form Trans-Siberian Orchestra and create a new album based on the song.[23]
- 2002: California Guitar Trio recorded a unique version where all instrumentation, voices, and bells were represented by guitars on their 2002 album, A Christmas Album.[24]
- 2005: Nox Arcana performed this song on their album Winter's Knight that reached No. 8 on the Billboard Charts the following year.[25]
- 2007: The Bird and the Bee released this song on a non-album single.[26]
- 2007: Shawn Lee featured this song on his A Very Ping Pong Christmas: Funky Treats from Santa's Bag album.[27] This version was used as a part of the soundtrack for the video game Bully: Scholarship Edition, in 2008.
- 2011: The Piano Guys published a cello arrangement of the song on YouTube, and it has garnered over 30 million views. A mashup arrangement of the song with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was featured on their Christmas album A Family Christmas, which charted at No. 20 of US Billboard 200.[28]
- 2012: Metal band August Burns Red's "breakdown-infused" version of the song was used in a Christmas-themed promotional ad for Frank Miller's film The Spirit, although the song did not appear in the film.[29]
- 2012: Pentatonix covered the song on their album PTXmas, one of the highest selling Christmas albums of 2013.[30]
- 2013: Marillion released an extended version for charity.[31]
- 2013: Christopher Drake used the song as the Joker's main theme in Arkham Origins.
- 2016: Voctave performed this song a capella for their album "The Spirit of the Season". It was paired with Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken's Christmas edition of "The Bells of Notre Dame", a musical number from Disney's 1996 animated blockbuster The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- 2017: Lindsey Stirling released her version on her holiday album Warmer in the Winter.[32]
- 2017: Lena Meyer-Landrut released her version on the official album to the television show Sing meinen Song – Das Weihnachtskonzert, Vol. 4.[33]
- 2021: Mantikor released a German metal & rock version on the official Rookies & Friends, Vol. 3 XMAS Edition Compilation.[34]
- 2021: In their 2021-2022 album, The War to End All Wars, the Swedish metal band Sabaton included a segment from Carol Of The Bells in the intro and outro segment of their song single "Christmas Truce".
- 2022: Composer Andrea Vanzo released a solo piano variation on the theme of "Carol of the Bells", as the debut single from his EP “Little Christmas Variations”.
In popular culture
[edit]- The song appears in the 1990 film Home Alone as arranged by John Williams.[35] In 2018, this version charted at No. 20 on the Swedish Heatseeker chart.[36]
- The Muppets' 2009 parody of the song, climaxing with a large bell (set up by Animal) falling on the increasingly frenetic Beaker,[37] quickly became a viral video that Christmas season.[38]
Charts
[edit]Pentatonix version
[edit]| Chart (2013–2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[39] | 66 |
John Williams version
[edit]| Chart (2017–2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[40] | 34 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] | 50 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[42] | 47 |
| Germany (GfK)[43] | 68 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[44] | 45 |
| Greece International (IFPI)[45] | 21 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40)[46] | 12 |
| Hungary (Stream Top 40)[47] | 16 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[48] | 29 |
| Italy (FIMI)[49] | 54 |
| Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[50] | 17 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[51] | 28 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] | 45 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] | 33 |
| Norway (IFPI Norge)[54] | 44 |
| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[55] | 28 |
| Portugal (AFP)[56] | 56 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[57] | 60 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[58] | 36 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[59] | 36 |
| US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[60] | 47 |
Mantikor version
[edit]| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| DE Deutsche Compilationcharts[61] | 3 |
Certifications
[edit]Pentatonix version
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[62] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
John Williams version
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Sales since 2007 |
Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Greece (IFPI Greece)[65] | Gold | 1,000,000† |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Korchova, Olena (December 17, 2012). "Carol of the Bells: Back to the Origins". The Ukrainian Week. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018.
- ^ "Carol of the Bells". ukrainianweek.com. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ Large, Edward W.; Roman, Iran; Kim, Ji Chul; Cannon, Jonathan; Pazdera, Jesse K.; Trainor, Laurel J.; Rinzel, John; Bose, Amitabha (2023). "Dynamic models for musical rhythm perception and coordination". Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience. 17. Frontiers Media S.A. doi:10.3389/fncom.2023.1151895. PMC 10229831. PMID 37265781.
- ^ a b c d e f Peresunko, T. (2019). "100 years of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy: European mission of Ukrainian Republican Chapel (1919-1921)". Kyiv-Mohyla Humanity Journal. 5: 69–89. doi:10.18523/kmhj189010.2019-6.69-89. S2CID 214231721.
- Cited by
- ^ Snyder, Timothy, O Generous One! Christmas Carols, 2/2, Thinking About..., December 14, 2025
- ^ Collins, Andrew (2010). "Carol of the Bells". Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. p. 39. ISBN 9780310327950.
- ^ "Микола Леонтович: як "Щедрик" став світовою мелодією і символом української культури - Сутність" (in Ukrainian). September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ "The famous Christmas carol inspiring Ukraine's defenders". www.bbc.com. December 24, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Peterson, Lottie (December 20, 2015). "The creation of carols: A look at the history behind 7 beloved holiday songs". The Deseret News. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ Jim McDermott, "The story of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas classic born in Ukraine", America, Nov. 17, 2022.
- ^ Lydia Tomkiw, "Toll of the Bells: The forgotten history of nationalism, oppression, and murder behind a Christmas classic", Slate, Dec. 19, 2019.
- ^ "Carol of the Bells performance history". carnegiehall.org. New York, NY: Carnegie Hall. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ a b Crump, William D. (2013). "Carol of the Bells" in The Christmas Encyclopedia. 3rd Edition. McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers: Jefferson, NC. p. 62. ISBN 9780786468270.
- ^ Nobbman, Dale V. (2000). Christmas Music Companion Fact Book: The Chronological History of Our Most Well-Known Traditional Christmas Hymns, Carols, Songs And the Writers & Composers Who Created Them. Centerstream Publishing: Anaheim Hills, CA. p. 91. ISBN 1574240676.
- ^ Wytwycky, Wasyl (updated 2010). "Leontovych, Mykola". Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ Bratcher, Melissa (December 9, 2016). "Music Review: Ray Conniff And The Ray Conniff Singers, The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings". popshifter. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ "Ring Christmas Bells Chords and Lyrics – Ray Conniff". topchristianlyrics.com. November 18, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ "The Carol of the Bells: A personal meaning and reflection for this Christmas Season". December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ Kois, Dan (June 8, 2023). "Farewell to the Master of the Christmas Sads". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
- ^ "RIAA Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
- ^ Thompson, Matt (December 17, 2015). "The Ironic Intensity of 'Carol of the Bells'". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs". Billboard. November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ Journal, Neil Shah | Photography by Ryan Henriksen for The Wall Street (December 3, 2015). "How the Trans-Siberian Orchestra Became a Holiday Hit Machine". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ "A Christmas Album - California Guitar Trio | A... | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Billboard Music Charts". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
- ^ "The Bird And The Bee – Carol Of The Bells". discogs. November 6, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ "Carol of the Bells, by Shawn Lee".
- ^ ThePianoGuys (December 19, 2011), Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) - The Piano Guys, archived from the original on December 12, 2021, retrieved October 30, 2017
- ^ "August Burns Red's JB Brubaker On Being A Part Of 'The Spirit' Of Christmas". MTV. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Legg, Carlyn (December 2015). "Music for the holiday season". The East Carolinian. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Savić, Nikola (December 15, 2013). "Marillion Release 'The Carol Of The Bells' Christmas Single". Prog Sphere. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: Lindsey Stirling - 'Warmer In The Winter'". CelebMix. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ "laut.de-Kritik "Im Kopf rieselt leise der Schnee."". Laut.de. November 28, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ Scherer, Nicole (November 16, 2021). "Rookies&Friends Sampler – Vol. 3 XMAS Edition". Vollgas Richtung Rock (in German). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Paget, Antonia (December 20, 2015). "Have-a-go singers who formed a Christmas choir to perform concert in Walton". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 52, 2018" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ Lascala, Marisa (July 4, 2014). "The Muppets' Fourth of July Performance Will Be Incredible Because Of Course It Will". Bustle. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ Macleod, Duncan (December 26, 2009). "The Muppets sing Carol of the Bells Archived December 24, 2018, at the Wayback Machine". Inspiration Room. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
- ^ "John Williams – Carol of the Bells" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "John Williams Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ^ "John Williams Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 52/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 31, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 26/12/2025 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
- ^ "Latvijas mūzikas topā gada nogalē valda nostalģija un svētku noskaņa" [Nostalgia and festive mood prevail in Latvian music chart at the end of the year] (in Latvian). TV Net. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ^ "2025 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "John Williams – Carol of the Bells" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
- ^ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. December 26, 2025. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
- ^ "Singel 2025 uke 52". VG-lista. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 20.12.2024–26.12.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Top 200 Singles Semana 52 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 52, 2024". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "John Williams – Carol Of The Bells". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 27/12/2024 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ "John Williams Chart History (Holiday 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Official German Compilation Charts (December 3, 2021). "Chart Position #3, Week December 3, 2021 - December 9, 2021 ". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved December 04, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Pentatonix – Carol of the Bells". Music Canada. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – John Williams – Carol of the Bells". Radioscope. Retrieved December 5, 2025. Type Carol of the Bells in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "British single certifications – John Williams – Carol of the Bells". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 49/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
