Hark how the Bells

	Hark how the Bells
	(Carol of the Bells)	music by Mykola Leontovich words by P. S Wilhousky
	arr. Roberto Di Marino

		MIDI	[1] Performance time - 3 min.
		MP3	[1] Computer Playback
		Video	[1]
		PDF	Score - Free sheet music

This famous song originated from a shchedrivka which is a Ukrainian folk song usually sung on Shchedry Vechir ("Bountiful Evening") or Malanka which is the Ukrainian New Year's Eve, January 13. It sends good fortune and success to the listener. The original music was arranged by Mykola Leontovich (1877-1921) using two melodic parts sung simultaneously.
Some years later English words were given to the song by an American school teacher, Peter J. Wilhousky, and it was re-named Carol of the Bells.

Hark how the bells
sweet silver bells
all seem to say
throw cares away Ding dong ding dong
That is their song
With joyful ring
All caroling Oh how they pound
raising the sound
o'er hill and dale
telling their tale

Christmas is here
bringing good cheer
to young and old
meek and the bold

One seems to hear
Words of good cheer
From ev'ry where
Filling the air

Gaily they ring
while people sing
songs of good cheer
Christmas is here
Merry Christmas.

First Performance: December 29, 1996 - Auditorium, Lavis (TN), Italy
Performer: Coro Calicantus conducted by Roberto Di Marino