It may surprise you to learn that today’s Advent carol originated
in Ukraine. It’s known around the world as “Carol of the Bells”, but it was
written in 1914, based on the Ukrainian folk chant “Shedryk”, about a swallow
that sings the first song of Spring. (Way back when, the New Year began in
Spring, and “Shedryk” is kinda focused on the New Year.)
I imagine you could hear a lot of versions of this all over
Ukraine, despite the Russian invasion; Ukrainians aren’t the type of folks to
let bullies (no matter how many missiles they use) interfere with what’s
important to them. So here’s Chornobrivtsi singing it at a Christmas concert in
Lviv, 12 years ago.
May the New Year bring the peace and solace that 2022 has failed
to deliver.
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