In 1916, Mykola Leontovych composed his most famous music work, the choral miniature "Shchedryk" (known in English as The Little Swallow. This is a work much beloved in Ukraine, and also around the world as its melody was later used for the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells". Somewhat poignant now in light of Leontovych's assassination in 1921 possibly on account of his Ukrainian nationalist leanings. In Shchedryk, Leontovych used the story from and a repeated four-note ostinato motif from an ancient Ukrainian pagan New Year / Spring song.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykola_Leontovych
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shchedryk_(song)
Verevka Ukrainian National Folk Choir in Kiev gives an enchanting performance in traditional costumes:
Just when you thought shopping malls were safe again, (Grigoriy) Verevka/Veryovka Ukrainian National Folk Choir flashmobs one in Kharkiv. Shoppers who came for the muzak ambience, be forewarned. Just kidding, shopping malls are just as safe as any other public place in these times.
A captivating mother-daughter duo of Alina and Teryn Kuzma give you a mellow instrumental version as a bandura duet. The smiles say it all.
Eileen from Post #14 gives you both the original Ukrainian and and English translation in song form:
A rousing artsy pop version by Svjata Vatra, permeated by symbolism of the swallow that portends good fortune:
Last, but by no means whatsoever the least, Nataliya Gudziy's version, accompanying herself on bandura. More Nataliya performances to be posted next. This recording might draw me into dancing around forest trees and campfires in ecstatic pagan rituals.