Beyond the courtyard

Kupalo songfolkComposerArranger

Mar 19

Written By andrew waller

Translated Text

Score Ukrainian

Score Transliterated

Beyond the courtyard | Ой, там за двором | Oj, tam za dvorom

Composer: Mykhailo Haivoronskyj | Михайло Гайворонський

This song is typical of the style of Ukrainian Christmas music known as shchedrivky. The text describes everyday activities in a simple village life, with thanks to God for the bounty enjoyed during the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Ukrainian Christmas traditions reflect the achievements of an ancient culture, impressive in the musical and contextual diversity of its songs. 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 as they stem from 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's establishment in 1965.