User:Amitchell125/Music of Ukraine


 * https://ul.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A70735/attachment/ATT-0/ (follows https://dais.sanu.ac.rs/bitstream/id/43864/bitstream_43864.pdf)

Origin
Shchedryk ("Bountiful Evening") is a Ukrainian shchedrivka, or New Year's song,ref known in English as "The Little Swallow".ref It tells a story of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the plentiful and bountiful year that the family will have.

The song is based on a traditional Ukrainian folk song whose language was thought to have magical properties. The original Ukrainian text used a device known as hemiola in the rhythm (alternating the accents within each measure from 3/4 to 6/8 and back again).

The song, based on an ostinato four-note pattern within the range of a minor third,ref is thought to be of prehistoric origins.ref p.18

The English content of "The Little Swallow" identifies it as a kolyadka, traditionally sung during the Christmas holiday season.

With the introduction of Christianity to Ukraine, the celebration of the New Year was moved from April to January,ref and "Shchedryk" became associated with the Shchedry vechir ("Generous Evening") on the night of January 13, New Year's Eve or December 31 in the Julian Calendar.ref