While much of the world sings the iconic ‘Carol of the Bells’ melody this holiday season, the tune’s birthplace is slowly being erased by Russia. Oleksandr, a priest, witnessed this destruction firsth
What a terrible and sad thing to hear about Pokrovsk and its church. The song, however, will live in beautiful refrain throughout the world. When I was in High School in Virginia, our Madrigal choir sang this song several times over the various Christmas holiday performances. I remember one particular rehearsal during my final year in school (1975) where our choir, a large one with good basses, tenors, altos & sopranos, absolutely NAILED the song. Our Director stood there at the end of it, the last 'dong' echoing through the room, all of us standing there in shock at the sound and feeling of knowing we had performed it perfectly, with his mouth open and his hands still raised. I still get goose bumps thinking of that moment. We all whooped and hollered in joy and surprise. To this day, I cannot remember if we nailed it for the performance that night, but the rehearsal, fifty years later, is still ringing in my memories. 'Carol of the Bells' remains one of my favourite carols.
This is so freaking heartbreaking! I'm not a big person of faith but the anger I'm feeling for all the UA war victims at Christmas and the Trump regime bastards is overwhelming. A lot of us are not abandoning your plight ❤️
What is sadder is that the world stands by while Autocrats carry out such atrocities - Ukraine , Gaza , Syria and now the US attacking boats inInternational waters..
I first heard Carol of the Bells when I was about three on a 78rpm shellac, pre WWII recording of the Hood College and Naval Academy choirs that my mom would get out every year on Christmas Eve and play once. My dad would go outside and pick a thorn off a cactus to use for a needle so the recording wouldn't degrade the way it would have with a standard diamond needle.
It was haunting then and even more so now that I know the history of the song. May the Russians culminate and crawl back from whence they came. May Povrosk be rebuilt.
I am learning that Carol of the Bells ‘Shchedryk’ is originally a Ukrainian composition and this fills my heart with warmth for every Winter of my life. It reminds me of sleighbells and carolers during holiday season and any place that ever plays classical music and the Ukrainian Orthodox church near my old place. It reminds me of singing. Of being with community and feeling connected. That is not lost and feels stronger knowing this story of the attempt to stamp it out. This magical piece of music that is integral to societies and popular culture and hearts worldwide cannot be wiped out. I will share this story so that everyone knows the truth. And listens to this beautiful rendition. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to your heroes.
my high school choir ensemble sang "carol of the bells' joyfully for many seasons but now tears appear every time I hear the first three notes of Shchedryk. Putin may erase the birthplace but the song will live forever and he cannot stop the sound nor hold the wind. Glory to the defenders and victory in 2026!
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). I do not recall hearing Shchedryk until around thirty years ago, by which time throat issues made it difficult for me to sing (I sang in choirs as a teen, and sang treble, then descant, then tenor). Have long loved this beautiful melody and have five or six different digital versions. Take care, guys, and stay safe. ❤️
What a terrible and sad thing to hear about Pokrovsk and its church. The song, however, will live in beautiful refrain throughout the world. When I was in High School in Virginia, our Madrigal choir sang this song several times over the various Christmas holiday performances. I remember one particular rehearsal during my final year in school (1975) where our choir, a large one with good basses, tenors, altos & sopranos, absolutely NAILED the song. Our Director stood there at the end of it, the last 'dong' echoing through the room, all of us standing there in shock at the sound and feeling of knowing we had performed it perfectly, with his mouth open and his hands still raised. I still get goose bumps thinking of that moment. We all whooped and hollered in joy and surprise. To this day, I cannot remember if we nailed it for the performance that night, but the rehearsal, fifty years later, is still ringing in my memories. 'Carol of the Bells' remains one of my favourite carols.
This is so freaking heartbreaking! I'm not a big person of faith but the anger I'm feeling for all the UA war victims at Christmas and the Trump regime bastards is overwhelming. A lot of us are not abandoning your plight ❤️
Heartbreaking ❤️🩹.
What is sadder is that the world stands by while Autocrats carry out such atrocities - Ukraine , Gaza , Syria and now the US attacking boats inInternational waters..
My heart is broken.
It’s a beautiful song! And I’m sure Pokrovsk will again one day be rebuilt into a beautiful Ukrainian city!
I first heard Carol of the Bells when I was about three on a 78rpm shellac, pre WWII recording of the Hood College and Naval Academy choirs that my mom would get out every year on Christmas Eve and play once. My dad would go outside and pick a thorn off a cactus to use for a needle so the recording wouldn't degrade the way it would have with a standard diamond needle.
It was haunting then and even more so now that I know the history of the song. May the Russians culminate and crawl back from whence they came. May Povrosk be rebuilt.
This was a very poignant story about Carol of the Bells. My heart breaks for Ukraine and so grateful this song touches all our hearts. ❤️
I am learning that Carol of the Bells ‘Shchedryk’ is originally a Ukrainian composition and this fills my heart with warmth for every Winter of my life. It reminds me of sleighbells and carolers during holiday season and any place that ever plays classical music and the Ukrainian Orthodox church near my old place. It reminds me of singing. Of being with community and feeling connected. That is not lost and feels stronger knowing this story of the attempt to stamp it out. This magical piece of music that is integral to societies and popular culture and hearts worldwide cannot be wiped out. I will share this story so that everyone knows the truth. And listens to this beautiful rendition. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to your heroes.
my high school choir ensemble sang "carol of the bells' joyfully for many seasons but now tears appear every time I hear the first three notes of Shchedryk. Putin may erase the birthplace but the song will live forever and he cannot stop the sound nor hold the wind. Glory to the defenders and victory in 2026!
Do you think forcing Venezuelan oil off the market will save Putin from the pending economic collapse?
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). I do not recall hearing Shchedryk until around thirty years ago, by which time throat issues made it difficult for me to sing (I sang in choirs as a teen, and sang treble, then descant, then tenor). Have long loved this beautiful melody and have five or six different digital versions. Take care, guys, and stay safe. ❤️