One of my favorite songs, Carol of the Bells, didn't start out as a carol for Christmas. The song is based on a traditional folk chant, associated with the coming New Year, which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was originally celebrated with the coming of spring in April.
It was introduced to Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus during its concert tour of the Americas, in 1921 at Carnegie Hall. A copyrighted English text was created by Peter Wilhousky in the 1930s, and since then it has been performed and sung during the Christmas season. Its initial popularity stemmed largely from Wilhousky's ability to perform it to a wide audience in his role as arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
There are many variations of this carol. Here are some I'd like to share. Enjoy!
we don't have carols here, but my fave Christmas song is WONDERFUL DREAM from late Melanie Thornton which often appears in Coca Cola commercials
ReplyDeleteWonderful Dream - I'll have to find it. Right now I'm blank on whether or not I've heard it. I drink Pepsi, dahlink, but not very often(smile).
DeleteHere's the link :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiBoWNo6xDs
DeleteHi Dezz. Found it last night after I left here. I watched her last interview before she caught that plane that crashed. That was so sad. But yes, I'd heard the song before - just didn't know the artist. I plan to do a post on her. Thanks so much - it's the best song!!
DeleteI did not know that. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
You're welcome!
DeleteOne of my fave carols and it's especially beautiful played on handbells. I'd never seen a handbell group until I moved to Alberta. For some reason, this province seems to be jam-packed with handbells. Christmas is their busiest time of year, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the hand bells too and this group was surprisingly good to be so small.
DeleteAll of these links were so different, but were quality performances. I'd been hard-pressed if it were a battle of the bands, so to speak. Hope you got to hear them or a couple or one!!!
Interesting history. I don't remember hearing the carol of the bells until fairly modern times. Certainly don't remember it as a youngster. It is a pretty carol.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo. i don't recall hearing until the 1980's really. It was on the Mannheim Steamroller album.
DeleteI specifically chose these versions for their variety and quality. I hope you liked one!!
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS VERSION.
ReplyDeleteAh Billy! Anything Piano Guys gets my attention! I do love their version but because they combined two carols, I decided to only go with versions of the one song - Carol of the Bells.
DeleteHave you ever seen their video on the Star Wars movie theme? It's hysterical!
Thank you kind sir - maybe I should do a instrument vs instrument version of some song?? Or you???
Blimey! I've been away from my computer for a few days and you have posted millions of times. I am away at a wedding in Bristol this weekend so I will catch up next week. Keep well!
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
I know, Bazza and it doesn't seem to be a good thing that I do. Time to take it down a notch. Have a wonderful and safe visit in Bristol!
DeleteAh, Pentatonix - better heard than seen. Those smug/sexy smirk faces they love to mug for the camera just makes me want to line them all up and give them one big consecutive Three Stooges-style slap.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the rest of those, though. Especially the handbell one. What a soothing sound.
Hello B &B! Have you ever counted the number of body piercings between those five people? Actually I needed an a capella group and they qualified. But the Three Stooges-style slap would be fun to watch too!!
DeleteIf all I can offer you two, is a sooth-job for the holidays - my work here is complete(smile).
I was too late for your airline post comments - but I have to say, your cartoons are outrageously funny!