Carol of the Bells is one of the most popular Christmas carols that most people can't actually sing. I confess that I am one of those people who can't sing it. It's beautiful, but sung extremely fast and the words are not always clear.
This song is Ukrainian and was first titled Shchedryk. Try saying that ten times really fast. According to About.com, it is about "a sparrow and the bountiful year that awaits a family." Yeah, I somehow missed that. Maybe they mean it used to be about a sparrow.
The first line is like this
Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold.
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold.
So yes, I hope you all have a great Christmas. Even you meek ones.
For your listening pleasure, I'm including links to a couple different versions of Carol of the Bells.
For just the regular version, here is a random youtube video with pictures of presents.
For nice instrumentation and walk-dancing, here's Celtic Women.
For a slightly more amped up version, here is August Burns Red. But no worries, there is no screaming. Just awesome guitars.
Merry Christmas!
P.S. It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it's still in the sixties and seventies.
Walk-dancing. Teehee. SO TRUE.
ReplyDeletenice! i've always enjoyed that song too.
ReplyDeleteI really like the August Burns Red version.
ReplyDelete