Where did carol of the bells come from?

The original piece, "Shchedryk", was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1916. Leontovych was inspired by a traditional Ukrainian folk song about a swallow flying into a house on New Year's Eve and singing about a bountiful harvest. The piece was originally written for a cappella choir and debuted in Kyiv in 1916.

In 1921, American composer Peter Wilhousky heard "Shchedryk" performed by the Ukrainian National Chorus during a concert in New York City. He was so enamored with the piece that he decided to create an English-language version. Wilhousky titled his arrangement "Carol of the Bells" and added lyrics that describe the ringing of bells on Christmas Eve.

"Carol of the Bells" was first published in 1922 and quickly became a popular Christmas carol. It has been recorded by numerous artists, including Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Despite its association with Christmas, "Carol of the Bells" is actually not a religious song. The original lyrics of "Shchedryk" make no mention of Christmas or any religious holiday.