who made carol of the bells

“Carol of the Bells” is based on the Ukrainian choral work “Shchedryk,” composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in the early 20th century.

Who “made” Carol of the Bells?

• The music (the famous four-note bell-like motif) was written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, originally as “Shchedryk,” first performed in 1916.

• The well-known English lyrics (“Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells…”) were written later, in 1936, by American composer and arranger Peter J. Wilhousky , who adapted Leontovych’s piece into the Christmas carol now called “Carol of the Bells.”

Quick timeline

• 1900s–1910s: Leontovych arranges the Ukrainian folk chant into the choral work “Shchedryk.”

• 1916: “Shchedryk” premieres in Kyiv and later tours internationally with Ukrainian choirs.

• 1936: Wilhousky writes new English Christmas-themed lyrics and popularizes it as “Carol of the Bells.”

So, if you are asking “who made Carol of the Bells?” in general:

• Composer of the melody: Mykola Leontovych.
• Author of the famous English lyrics and arrangement: Peter J. Wilhousky.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.