DESCRIPTION:
'Carol of the Bells' performed by the Golden Eggs.

http://www.thegoldeneggs.co.uk

Jools Scott
Beth Porter
Tim Petherick
Pete Gibbs
Nick Malcom

Mixed by Tim Petherick using Acustica Audio's Nebula Libraries.

"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, composed by Mykola Leontovych with lyrics created Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as "Shchedryk". Wilhousky's lyrics and the English name are copyrighted, although the original musical composition is not.

The song is recognised by a four-note ostinato motif (see image to the right). It has been arranged many times for different genres, styles of singing and settings and has been covered by artists and groups of many genres: classical, metal, jazz, rock, and pop. The piece has also been featured in films, television shows, and parodies.

The song is based on a traditional folk chant. It was associated with the coming New Year which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was originally celebrated with the coming of Spring in April. (This explains the reason why the original Ukrainian text speaks about a swallow returning and lambs being born.)

Notable Versions
1946 The Robert Shaw Chorale
1975 John Fahey
1978 Richard Carpenter
1980 George Winston
1981 Kenny Rogers
1983 David Benoit
1988 Chip Davis and his band Mannheim Steamroller
1993 Canadian musician and composer/songwriter David Foster
1994 French pop music icon Charles Aznavour,
1995 Savatage
1997 John Tesh
2001 Destiny's Child
2002 Dream Theater
2002 The Calling
2005 Krypteria "In Medias Res"
2006 Irish singer Moya Brennan
2007 Jennifer Hudson
2009 Family Force 5's Christmas Pageant
2010 Jessica Simpson
2010 Pink Martini
2010 Enter Shikari
2011 David Crowder Band

'Carol of the Bells' appears on Fireside Carols by the Golden Eggs.

Jools Scott | Film Composer
http://www.joolsscott.co.uk

Beth Porter | Composer & Cellist
http://www.bethporter.co.uk

Tim Petherick | Producer and Guitarist
http://www.timpetherick.co.uk