A new joy is heralded

Kupalo songfolkComposerArranger

Mar 22

Written By andrew waller

Translated Text

Score Ukrainian

Score Transliterated

A new joy is heralded | Нова радість стала | Nova radist' stala

Composer: Yakiv Yatsynevych | Яків Яциневич

This carol describes the joy of Christ’s birth, heralded by a Star over the manger. Shepherds and angel choirs welcome Him with song and foretell of peace on earth. Shepherds kneel and praise the baby Jesus. Ukrainian Christmas traditions reflect achievements of an ancient culture, impressive in the musical and contextual diversity of its songs and in the number of its carols and epiphany carols. There are two distinct groups of Ukrainian Christmas music. Koljadky (Ukrainian Christmas Carols) are sung in church alongside traditional liturgical texts and hymns from Christmas Eve (January 6, according to the Julian Calendar) to Epiphany (January 19). Shchedrivky (New Year’s songs), being much older and having pagan roots, are rarely sung in a liturgical setting given their secular themes of bounty and prosperity. These delightful and festive new-year folk songs of felicitation, with their charming and rhythmic melodies, reflect sectarian life and express wishes for health, happiness and bountiful harvests.

Koljadky and shchedrivky are an important part of Vesnivka's repertoire and have been sung annually since the ensemble was established in 1965.