Shchedryk

In America, we know this song as 'Carol of The Bells,' which is sung as a Christmas song, but it was originally a pre-christian Ukranian folk song sung on New Year's Eve on the Julian calendar (January 13th) and was known to have magical properties.

In 1921, it was adapted as a Christmas Carol, and was played at Carnegie Hall with the new English lyrics.

According to the original lyrics, it is about a swallow that flies into a house and sings about the bounty of the coming year.

If you'd like to hear an edgier, more contemporary version with really nice cinematography, go here.

May your holidays have the warmth of friends and family, and your new year be filled with bounty!