“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.