The story of Carol of the Bells is hardly as well known as the song itself. It has been re-interpreted over and over by a variety of artists — most recently by Lindsey Stirling:
Stirling, who seems to command you watch as much as listen, captures the original spirit of Carol of the Bells simply by making it more about the music than of Christmas.
Such was the case originally with Carol of the Bells. The song was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914, who crafted the piece based on traditional Ukrainian folk chants that welcomed the New Year and the hope of spring. Christmas had nothing to do with it.
What’s more, Carol of the Bells was written to be performed by choirs — and it featured the acappella voice as it’s only instruments.
The original lyrics derived from Ukrainian folk songs celebrating the coming of spring in the form of a swallow who enters a house singing a song of coming wealth. Such folk songs were often performed by young girls who would go home...
