The Lord is born

Kupalo songfolkComposerArranger

Mar 20

Written By andrew waller

Translated Text

Score Ukrainian

Score Transliterated

The Lord is born | Бог ся рождає | Boh sja rozhdaje

Arranger: Yakiv Yatsynevych | Яків Яциневич

This buoyant carol describes the scene at the manger and in the stable on the night of Christ’s birth. The focus of this carol is reflective of the agricultural foundations of Ukrainian villages, while the refrain references the animals and simple shepherds present on the night of the Nativity. The simple melody and repetitive refrain echo ancient folk songs in their simplicity and joyfulness. 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.