DESCRIPTION:
This is one of the most beautiful and old Christmas Carols I've ever heard. It comes from Transylvania and it's interesting how simple and almost unchristian (probably it has something to do with pre-Christian winter rituals) the lyrics are. In the old Romanian stories and Christmas carols, God is often seen as "walking among" people, very close to them - there's a perfect communion between the human and the divine. Moreover, although they're usually sung during Christmas Eve celebrating the birth of Christ, the carols are grouped depending on their addressee... for instance this one, although it seems simple, it's addressed to an unmarried man (the host) who hopefully will find love (sending the silver apples to princesses means finding a mate).

Instead of focusing on the Holy Child, the carol praises the host and the wealth of his house due to the local belief that people must welcome the groups of carol singers in their house as they're are a sign of prosperity and luck.

Also, the host has to reward the singers for their performance with apples and a type of knot-shaped bread specially made for Christmas.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays to you all!

This is a rough translation of the lyrics.

"ON A FOOTBRIDGE IN HEAVEN

On a footbridge in Heaven
Oh, God
On a footbridge in Heaven
Come and sing carols
On a footbridge in Heaven

The wealthy noble man*
Oh God,
The wealthy noble man,
Come and sing carols
[the wealthy noble man] Made a prayer...

And God gave him,
Oh God,
An apple tree in blossom
Come and sing carols
And the apple fruits were made of silver

The host picked the silver apples
Oh God,
And he sent them away at once
Come and sing carols
And he sent them away at once

On a footbridge in Heaven
Oh, God
[he sent them] to princesses
Come and sing carols,
On a footbridge in Heaven."

*referring to the host

p.s. Craciun fericit tuturor romanilor oriunde s-ar afla!