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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_PvG1aWu68

For the Ukrainian bell carol that the Carol of the Bells was based upon, see Shchedryk (song).
"Carol of the Bells"
Christmas carol by Mykola Leontovych
The four-note motif (shown four times)
Text by Peter J. Wilhousky
Based on "Shchedryk"
Composed 1919
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"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, which is based on the Ukrainian song called "Shchedryk.” The music to “Carol of the Bells” was taken from the original Ukrainian song written by Mykola Leontovych while the English-language lyrics were written by Peter Wilhousky.

Leontovych wrote "Shchedryk" in 1914, and in 1936 Wilhousky wrote English lyrics for it, creating "Carol of the Bells".[1] The Ukrainian music is in the public domain; Wilhousky's lyrics, however, are under copyright owned by Carl Fischer Music.

The music is based on a four-note ostinato and is in 3
4 time signature, with the B-flat bell pealing in 6
8 time. The carol is metrically bistable, and a listener can focus on either measure or switch between them. It has been adapted for many genres, including classical, heavy metal, jazz, country music, rock, trap, and pop. The piece also features in films, television shows, and parodies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_of_the_Bells

"Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" consists of four sections, alternating between soft and loud, as well as between the two component pieces in the medley. Part one consists of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" performed on a cello, accompanied only by a picked electric guitar and a flute in round. After a short ritard, part two abruptly begins, with "Shchedryk" (recognizable in the English-speaking world as the melody from "Carol of the Bells") being played at full volume, full orchestration and the synthesizers and electric guitars taking lead melody. The time signature also abruptly shifts from cut time to a driving triple meter, which persists through the rest of the piece.

After a short transition, the third section consists of a piano solo, featuring motifs from both melodies being played simultaneously, with light string backing that builds through the section. The transition to the fourth and final section is again abrupt; the final section closely resembles the second, with "Shchedryk" being the central melody, again led by guitar and synthesizer with piano added. The coda consists of backing strings continuing softly after the fourth section ends, fading to a close.

Both of the tunes used in "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" were in the public domain in 1995: "Shchedryk" was released in 1918 (although the English lyrics to "Carol of the Bells," dating to 1936, were still under copyright and were not included in the recording), while "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" dated back several centuries. Kinkel, O'Neill and Oliva received copyright protection and songwriting credit through ASCAP for their arrangement.[1]

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