Shchedryk: The Ukrainian Melody That Conquered the World and Outlived Its Creator

The success of “Shchedryk” in Ukraine was only the beginning of its world triumph. In the aftermath of World War I, the young Ukrainian National Republic sought to make its voice heard internationally. In 1919, the head of state, Symon Petliura, turned to cultural diplomacy – he commissioned Oleksandr Koshyts to form the Ukrainian National Chorus, a large choir that would carry Ukrainian music to the world​

“Shchedryk” was a cornerstone of the choir’s repertoire, showcasing Ukraine’s unique musical heritage. Thus began an ambitious tour: in 1919–1920, Koshyts’s choir performed in 17 countries across Europe – from Prague and Vienna to Paris and London​– introducing enchanted foreign audiences to the charming Ukrainian carol. When the chorus reached the United States, the triumph continued. On October 5, 1922, at New York’s Carnegie Hall, the American premiere of “Shchedryk” took place to rapturous applause​

The audience, utterly captivated, demanded an encore​. Newspapers reported that “Shchedryk had to be repeated” – the Ukrainian song had instantly won American hearts​

This concert was a turning point, as the carol cast its spell over America. Soon after, the choir recorded “Shchedryk” on a Brunswick record in New York, preserving the melody for a wider audience​

In that 1922 Carnegie Hall audience sat a young American conductor of Ukrainian descent, Peter J. Wilhousky. Upon hearing “Shchedryk,” he was struck by the magic of its music​

At the time, Wilhousky led a New York school choir and was seeking a fresh piece for a Christmas radio broadcast. Knowing that his students couldn’t sing the Ukrainian lyrics about a swallow, he decided to write new English words​

He later recalled that he discarded the original folk text about bounty and “concentrated on the merry tinkle of the bells which I heard in the music”​

And so, the swallow gave way to chiming bells, and the Ukrainian springtime carol was reborn as an American Christmas song. In 1936, Wilhousky introduced his version – “Carol of the Bells” – publishing the sheet music with the credit: “Ukrainian Carol. Words by Peter J. Wilhousky. Music by M. Leontovych.”​

From that moment, the melody began a new life. The English-language carol spread rapidly, becoming an integral part of Western Christmas celebrations​

Choirs across the United States – from school ensembles to professional choral groups – embraced it, and it soon became hard to imagine Christmas without the ringing strains of “Carol of the Bells.” Leontovych’s melody had become a true musical symbol of Christmas, even though it was originally born to welcome a very different season.

Interesting Facts about “Shchedryk”

• Five revisions – a composer’s quest for perfection: Mykola Leontovych rewrote “Shchedryk” no fewer than five times in the process of refining its arrangement​

  The composer was known for his humility and exacting standards – it’s said he would sometimes rework his choral pieces up to 20 times, always finding them imperfect​

   He deemed only the fourth version of “Shchedryk” (1916) good enough for public performance, and it was this version that first brought the song acclaim.

• From spring carol to Christmas song: The original Ukrainian lyrics of “Shchedryk” have nothing to do with Christmas or bells – they celebrate spring’s arrival and prosperity in the household. The English Christmas words and bell imagery were introduced by Wilhousky’s adaptation​

   In fact, “Carol of the Bells” is essentially a new Christmas song set to an old Ukrainian melody. Interestingly, because of this transformation, for many years few in the West realized the song’s Ukrainian origin. Generations of listeners abroad simply assumed it was part of their own holiday tradition – many Americans even believed “Carol of the Bells” was an American song​

• Over 1,000 versions: Today there are an astonishing number of interpretations of “Shchedryk,” ranging from classical choral renditions to modern electronic remixes. By some counts, more than a thousand different versions of this melody exist worldwide​

  It’s been translated into numerous languages and performed in every style imaginable. For instance, the popular U.S. a cappella group Pentatonix wowed audiences with their vocal arrangement of “Carol of the Bells,” garnering millions of views online​

  Meanwhile, the rock ensemble Trans-Siberian Orchestra created a dramatic instrumental medley, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” blending Leontovych’s tune with electric guitars – a global hit among modern Christmas rock pieces​

• A tragic footnote: Sadly, Mykola Leontovych did not live to witness the international fame of his song. In January 1921, the composer was killed – shot in his home village by an agent of the Soviet secret police (Cheka)​

   It is believed that the Bolshevik regime targeted Leontovych due to his deeply Ukrainian patriotic spirit and the power of his music to inspire national pride​

  This poignant fact lends an even deeper significance to the song of good tidings and hope, underscoring the difficult history behind the beauty of “Shchedryk.”