From Ukraine to the World: The Stories Behind Beloved Holiday Melodies
What is your favorite holiday song? Mine is Carol of the Bells. It’s a melody that immediately brings me joy and nostalgia, mainly since it’s featured in so many classic movies, like my mom’s favorite, Home Alone. But there’s something even more special about it for me – it’s originally a Ukrainian folk song called Щедрик (Shchedryk). In Ukrainian, “Щедрик” means “Bountiful” or ”Generous One.” This song tells the story of a little swallow flying into a home, bringing tidings of prosperity…