The English lyrics for “Carol of the Bells” were written by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936. Wilhousky’s version of the song tells the story of the bells announcing the arrival of Christmas. The melody for “Carol of the Bells” is derived from a Ukrainian folk chant called “Shchedryk” (sometimes spelled “Shchedrik”), which was composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1916. The original Ukrainian lyrics have nothing to do with Christmas; instead, they describe a swallow flying into a household to predict a prosperous year. The melody was later adapted to create the Christmas carol.
“Carol of the Bells” demands a moderate to advanced skill level from pianists due to its intricate and rapid passages. The piece is characterized by its use of ostinato patterns, where a repeating musical motif creates a hypnotic effect. The left hand is responsible for maintaining a steady rhythm reminiscent of chiming bells, while the right hand carries the intricate and agile melody.
