Our popular Christmas song, Carol of the Bells was first composed as The Little Swallow, a shchedrivka, a Ukrainian folk song sung at beginning of a new year. The Ukrainian lyrics tell the story of a swallow who flies into a household to announce that a bountiful year and fruitful springtime lie ahead. "The Little Swallow" was composed in 1916 by Mykola Leontovych who was assassinated by a Russian agent in 1921. Our English version was arranged with new lyrics by the American composer Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936.
As we find ourselves consumed with preparations for celebrating Christmas, my heart keeps turning to the people of Ukraine and the violent oppression they are experiencing. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ whose birth we will soon celebrate. The gospel was first preached in Ukraine in 988 and today nearly 70% of Ukrainians claim the Orthodox Church as their spiritual home.
Though we hail you as Prince of Peace, Lord,
we're unfaithful to you and your command
that we love one another as you have loved us...
We've learned to tolerate oppression and war
as segments on the evening news;
our sisters and brothers are dying,
their cities and homes are destroyed
and we change the channel
to a sitcom - or reality tv...
Send your Spirit as a sparrow
to the people of Ukraine,
anointing them with courage,
perseverance and relief...
Refresh the promise of your love
in their weary, wounded hearts
and bring them hope that peace will triumph
when the world has heard their cry...
Lift their eyes and hearts to you, Lord,
born to save them from their grief
and be for them the Prince of Peace
in whom they trust and put their faith...
Help all peoples work together
for a new year and new ways
to find a springtime of the mercy
born in you on Christmas day...
Protect us, Lord, while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Tonight's song, The Little Swallow, is the original composition,
sung in Urkainian and followed by an English translation. In
listening to this performance: keep in mind the little swallow
flying into someone's home - the music supports the image of
a small bird fluttering about the house as much as it does the
bells in a great steeple.
The Little Swallow by Mykola Leontovych
Bountiful evening, bountiful evening, a New Year's carol;
A little swallow flew into the household
and started to twitter,
to summon the master:
"Come out, come out, O master,
look at the sheep pen,
there the ewes have given birth
and the lambkins have been born
Your goods [livestock] are great,
you will have a lot of money, by selling them.
You have a dark-eyebrowed beautiful wife
If not money, then chaff from all the grain you will harvest.
Advent Blessing
composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding
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