In the green grove

Kupalo songfolkComposerArranger

Mar 19

Written By andrew waller

Translated Text

Score Ukrainian

Score Transliterated

In the green grove | В зеленім ліску | V zelenim lisku

Arranger: M. Dauk | М. Даук

This style of Christmas music, known as shchedrivky, contains text typical to this genre. This song describes a family gathering together for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner to give thanks to God for the bounty they are about to enjoy. Ukrainian Christmas traditions reflect 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.

This well-known Christmas melody was arranged for women's voices by Toronto composer Zenoby Lawryshyn. Koljadky and shchedrivky are an important part of Vesnivka's repertoire and have been sung annually since the ensemble was established in 1965.