Koly ne bylo z naščada svita,

poduy že. Poduy, Hospody,
iz sviatym dukhom po zemli.

Tohdy ne bylo neba, ñi zemli, poduy že.

A no lem bylo syñeye more, poduy že.

A sered moria zelenyi yavir, poduy že.

Svitle-soñinko, yasen misiaček, poduy že.

Yasna zirnytsia, dribñi zvizdočky,

poduy že. Poduy, Hospody
iz sviatym dukhom po zemli.

In the beginning, before there was a world,

o breathe. Breathe, O Lord,
with the Holy Spirit over the Earth.

Then there was neither heaven nor earth,
o breathe

But there was a blue sea, o breathe.

And amid the sea, a green tree, o breathe.

Radiant sun and bright moon, o breathe.

Bright star, little twinklers,

o breathe. Breathe, O Lord
with the Holy Spirit over the earth.

Dnes’ poyušče, kupno ihraymo!

Tsaria roždennoho vsi voskhvaliaymo!

Poyušče, slavliašče,

“Slava vo vyšñikh” hlaholiušče.

Voskhvalimo ž brattia, Vseblahoho!

Vospivaymo mudrist’ promyslu Yoho:

Ščo ne ubiyen Khrystos narožden,

Od Mariï Divy dnes’ voploščen!

Today let’s sing, make music together!

Let’s praise the newborn King!

Singing, praising,

“Glory in the Highest” exclaiming.

Brothers, let’s praise the All-Blessed One!

Let’s sing to the wisdom of his deed:

That Christ was born immortal,

Incarnate from the Virgin Mary!

Slava vo vyšñikh Bohu

i na zemli myr,

v čelovietsiekh blahovoleñiye.

Glory to God in the Highest

and on earth peace,

good will among mankind.

—Sticheron after Psalm 51

for the Nativity of Christ

(Tenors and Basses)

Nova radist’ stala,

Ščo na nebi khvala:

Zvizda yasna nad vertepom

Uves’ svit osiyala.

Pastuškhy z yahñatkom

Pered tym dytiatkom

Navkolintsia prypadayut’,

Tsaria, Boha voskhvaliayut’.

Oy Ty Tsariu, Tsariu,

Nebesnyi šafariu!

Daruy lita ščaslyviï

Tsioho doma hospodariu!

New joy has come,

announced in the heavens:

above the manger, a bright star

has illumined the whole world.

Shepherds with their lambs

before this child

fall upon their knees,

praising God, their King.

Oh Thou King, King,

celestial creator!

Bestow happy years

to the master of this house!

Po vsiomu svitu stala novyna:

Diva Mariya Syna rodyla.

Sinom prytrusyla, v yaslakh polozhyla

Hospodñoho Syna.

Ziyšly yanholy z neba do zemli,

Prynesly dary Divi Mariï.

Try sviči voskovi, ščey ryzy šovkovi

Isusovi Khrystovi.

Osiyala zvizda z neba do zemli,

Iziyšly yanholy k Divi Mariï.

Poyut’ Bozhi pisñi Hospodñiy nevisti,

Radosti prynosiat’.

Good tidings came all around the world:

the Virgin Mary gave birth to a son.

She covered him with hay, and in a manger

placed the Lord ‘s son.

Angels descended from heaven to earth,

bringing gifts to the Virgin Mary.

Three wax candles, and silk robes

for Jesus Christ.

A star shone from heaven to earth,

angels descended toward Mary.

They sing divine songs to the Lord’s bride;

and bring joy.

Nebo i zemlia nyñi torzestvuyut’.

Anhely y liudy veselo spraznuyut’:

“Khrystos rodyvsia, Boh voplotyvsia!”

Anhely spivayut’, tsari vitayut’,

Poklin viddayut’, pasteriye hrayut’.

Čudo, čudo povidayut’!

Vo Vyfleyemi vesela novyna,

Čystaya Diva porodyla Syna.

“Khrystos rodyvsia, Boh voplotyvsia,”

Anhely spivayut’, tsari vitayut’,

Poklin viddayut’, pasteriye hrayut’.

Čudo, čudo povidayut’!

Heaven and earth celebrate today.

Angels and humans happily announce:

“Christ is born, God became incarnate!”

Angels sing, kings greet,

bowing down, shepherds play music.

All proclaim the miracle, the miracle!

In Bethlehem, there are glad tidings,

A pure Virgin gave birth to a Son.

“Christ is born, God is made incarnate.”

Angels sing, kings greet,

bowing down, shepherds play music.

All proclaim the miracle, the miracle!

O Tebi raduyetsia, Blahodatnaya,

vsiakaya tvar.

Anhel’syi sobor i čelovičestkyi rod.

Osviačennyi khrame i rayu slovesnyi.

Ložesna bo tvoya prestol sotvorï,

i črevo Tvoye prostranneye nebes sodila.

O Tebi raduyetsia, Blahodatnaya

vsiakaya tvar. Slava Tebi.

About Thee, Blessed One,

all creation rejoices.

The angelic host and mankind.

Blessed temple and paradise.

Your body became a temple,

and Your womb more spacious than the heavens.

About Thee, Blessed One,

all creation rejoices. Glory be to Thee.

—Hymn to the Mother of God from the

Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (excerpt)

Prečystaya Diva Syna porodyla,

Oy ta tak rano.

Oy rano raneñko, raduysia zemleñko,

Khrystos narodyvsia.

A za blyskom zory, ydut’ v pokori

Try slavñi tsari.

Try slavñiï tsari

I prynosiat’ dary Khrystu v ofiru.

A vo Vyfleyemi myr z’yavyvsia

Oy ta tak rano.

I my razom nyñi, Isusu Dytyñi

Poklin vsi viddaymo.

Poklin vsi viddaymo, Yoho proslavliaymo,

Ščyrym sertsem ta čystym.

Prečystaya Diva Syna porodyla,

Oy ta tak rano.

Oy rano raneñko, raduysia zemleñko,

Khrystos narodyvsia.

A virgin most pure gave birth to a Son,

Oh, so very early.

Oh early, so early, rejoice sweet earth,

Christ was born.

And following the flash of the star

three famous kings travel in humility.

Three famous kings

and bring gifts to Christ in offering.

And in Bethlehem, peace appeared,

Oh so very early.

And we too, to Jesus the Child

let us all bow down.

All bow down, and praise Him,

with sincere and pure hearts.

A virgin most pure gave birth to a Son,

Oh, so very early.

Oh early, so early, rejoice sweet earth,

Christ was born.

Ščo to za predyvo v sviti novyna

Ščo Mariya Diva Syna rodyla.

A yak Vona porodila,

Todi Vona povidala:

“Suse, Synu Miy!”

A Yosyp starušok v žolobi stoït’,

Ta na Susa Khrysta pelenky stroït’.

A Mariya spovyvaye,

Do serdeñka pryhortaye:

Čystaya Panna!

What a wonder is the news on earth

that the Virgin Mary gave birth to a Son.

And when she gave birth,

she exclaimed:

“Jesus, my Son!”

Old man Joseph stands in the cattle shed

and makes diapers for Jesus Christ.

Then Mary wraps Him,

presses Him to her heart:

Pure Virgin!

O dyvneye naroždenñia Božoho Syna,

Ščo Yoho sey deñ ta porodyla

Diva Mariya.

Arkhanhela Havryïla riči ponialy,

Ščo po Roždestvu Khrystovomu

Sady zatsvily.

Sady tsvitut’ i fsi razñiï kvity.

Vozraduvavsia ves’ myr khreščenyi

I mali dity.

How wondrous is the birth of the Son of God,

whom on this day the Virgin Mary.

brought forth.

The archangel Gabriel witnessed

how after the birth of Christ

the orchards blossomed.

The gardens bloom and all sorts of flowers.

The whole christened world rejoiced,

even small children.

Svitla Mamo Mariye…

U velyčnomu khrami vysokykh nebes,

De rizdviana sviča nad svitamy zoriye,

Omoforom sviatym zastupaye Tebe,

Svitla Mama Mariya, Mama Mariya.

Tanut’ bili sñihy vid liubovi y tepla,

Ščo vid sertsia do sertsia dobrom strumeñiye.

Sprahlo lasku piemo my z Tvoho džerela,

Svitla Mamo Mariye, Mamo Mariye.

Šliakh do Tebe vede ne na kladku khytku,

I tomu vsi tryvohy svoï i nadiï,

Mov sviaščenne dytia nesemo v spovytku

Svitliy Mami Mariï, Mami Mariï.

Ty molytva sviata u dalekykh svitakh,

Lyk prečystyi navik khai sviatyt’sia i hriye.

Khai zoryt’ nevyčerpno Tvoya dobrota,

Svitla Mamo Mariye, Mamo Mariye.

Nekhai zoryt’ dobrota!

O luminous Mother Mary…

In a great temple of the high heavens,

where the Christmas light shines above worlds,

as if a holy vestment takes Your place,

luminous Mother Mary, Mother Mary.

White snows melt from the love and warmth,

than from heart to heart flow with goodness.

Thirsty for grace, we drink from your well,

O luminous Mother Mary, O Mother Mary.

The path to you leads not to а slippery plank,

and this is why all our worries and hopes,

like the holy child, we carry in swaddling

to luminous Mother Mary, Mother Mary.

You are a holy prayer in far-off worlds,

may your pure image forever be holy and warm us.

May your goodness shine without end,

O luminous Mary, Mother Mary.

May goodness shine!

In dem beys-hamikdesh, in a vinkl kheyder,

Zitst di almone, Bas-Tsiyon aleyn.

Ir ben-yokhidl Yidelen vigt zi keseyder

Un zingt im tsum shlofn a lidele sheyn:

Ay-li-lyu-li-lyu…

Unter Yideles vigele

Shteyt a klor-vays tsigele,

Dos tsigele iz geforn handlen,­

Dos vet zayn dayn baruf:

Rozhinkes mit mandlen;

Schlof zhe, Yidele, schlof!

In the Temple, in the corner of a room,

the widow, a daughter of Zion, sits alone.

She rocks ceaselessly her only son, Yidele,

and sings him to sleep with a lovely little song:

Lully, lullay…

Under Yidele’s cradle

is a snow-white little goat,

the little goat is going off to trade,–

this will be his and your calling:

Raisins and almonds;

Oh sleep, Yidele, oh sleep.

Liuli, liuli, miy synočku, Isuse malyi.

Spy spokiyno v kholodočku poky Ty šče miy.

Bo strašnyi tviy voroh Irod khoče vbyt’ Tebe.

Khoče vyrvaty serdeñko Tvoyeï matusi.

Čuye hrozu Tvoya maty, Božeye dytia.

Bačyt’ sertsem šliakh kryvavyi Tvoyoho žyttia,

U ternovomu vinočku holova Tvoya, Isuse.

Vysyt’ na khresti rozpiatyi Synočok Matusen.

Lully, lullay, my sweet son, little Jesus.

Sleep calmly, in the shade, while You are mine.

Because your awful foe Herod wishes to kill You.

Wishes to tear out the heart of Your mother.

Your mother senses peril, oh child of God.

She sees with her heart the winding path of Your life,

Your head in a crown of thorns, Jesus.

Hangs on a cross, crucified, Your mother’s Son.

(Sopranos and Altos)

Spy Isuse, spy.

Očka zažmury.

Ya Tebe mu kolysaty,

Pisoñkamy prysypliaty.

Spy Isuse, spy maleñkyi,

Spy serdeñko, spy.

Spy leliyko, spy.

Holovku sklony

Tut na ručeñky Mariï.

Bač vona Tebe leliye.

Spy Isuse, spy maleñkyi,

Spy serdeñko, spy.

Sleep Jesus, sleep.

Close your little eyes.

I will cradle you,

Lull you to sleep with sweet songs.

Sleep Jesus, sleep little one,

Sleep dear heart, sleep.

Sleep sweet lily, sleep.

Bow your little head

Here onto the arms of Mary.

See how she cradles you.

Sleep Jesus, sleep little one,

Sleep dear heart, sleep.

Oy v Yerusalymi rano zadzvonyly.

(Ref.) Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir,

Dobrym liudiam na zdorov’ya.

A Diva Mariya po sadu khodyla. (Ref)

Po sadu khodyla, Syna porodyla. (Ref)

Syna porodila, na rukakh nosyla. (Ref)

Oh in Jerusalem, bells rang out early.

(Ref.) Bountiful evening, good evening,

To all good people good health.

Oh the Virgin Mary walked in the garden. (R)

She walked in the garden, birthed a son. (R)

Gave birth to a son, carried him

in her arms. (R)

Z namy Boh, rozumiyte narody,

I pokoriaytesia, yako z namy Boh.

Počuyte vsi, až do krayu zemli.

Mohutñi pokoriaytesia!

Liudy ščo žyvut’ u temriavi pobačut’
svitlo velyke.

Nad tymy ščo žyvut’ u smertñiy tiñi,
svitlo zasiyalo.

Bo khlopiatko nam narodylosia, Syna nam dano, vlada na plečakh u Ñoho.

I dadut’ Yomu imya

Čudesnyi Poradnyk, Sylnyi Boh,

Otets dovičnyi, Kñiaz myru.’

God is with us, understand this ye nations,

and be ye humbled, for God is with us.

Hear all ye people to the ends of the earth:

Ye powerful be humbled!

The people who live in darkness will

see a great light.

Upon those you dwell in the shadow

of death, a light has shined.

For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is

given, the government is on His shoulders.

And they shall give Him the name

Wonderful Counsellor, mighty God,

everlasting Father, Prince of peace.

—Canticle of Isaiah from the

Great Compline service of Christmas Eve (excerpt)

Oy koliada, koliadnytsia,

Dobra z medom palianytsia,

A bez medu ne taka,

Daite diad’ku p’yataka!

Oy carol, big carol,

bread is good with honey,

without honey not as fine,

old man, hand over a five.

Oy syvaya ta i zozuleñka

(Children’s Chorus)

Oy syvaya ta i zozuleñka.

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir,

dobrym liudiam na zdorovia.

Usi sady ta i oblitala. Ščedryi večir…

A v odnomu ta i ne buvala. Ščedryi…

A v tim sadu try teremy. Ščedryi večir…

A v peršomu krasne sontse. Ščedryi…

U druhomu yasen mistiats. Ščedryi i…

A v tret’omu dribñi zirky. Ščedryi večir….

Yasen misiats Pan Hospodar. Ščedryi…

Krasne sontse žinka yoho. Ščedryi…

Dribñi zirky yoho ditky.

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir,

dobrym liudiam na zdorovia.

O, the gray-winged cuckoo.

A bountiful evening, good evening,

to all good people good health.

Around all gardens did she fly. Ref.

But there was one that she never visited. Ref.

And in that garden are three towers. Ref.

In the first is the beautiful sun. Ref.

In the second is the bright moon. Ref.

In the third are tiny stars. Ref.

The bright moon is master of the house. Ref.

The beautiful sun is his wife. Ref.

The tiny stars are his children.

A bountiful evening, good evening,

to all good people good health.

Ščedryk, ščedryk, ščedrivočka,

Pryletila lastivočka.

Stala sobi ščebetaty

Hospodaria vyklykaty.

“Vyidy, vyidy hospodariu,

Podyvysia na košaru:

Tam ovečky pokotylys,

A yahnyčky narodylys.

V tebe tovar ves’ khorošyi

Budeš maty mirku hrošey.

Khoč ne hrošey to polova.

V tebe žinka čornobrova.”

Ščedryk, ščedryk, ščedrivočka,

a little swallow flew in.

She perched herself to chirp

and to call out the master of the house.

“Come out, come out, o master:

look at the sheep-stall:

There the ewes have rolled over,

and little lambkins have been born.

Your goods are so abundant

that you will get a lot of money.

If not money then you’ll have grain.

You have a dark-eyed wife.”

Ščedryk, ščedryk, ščedrivoñka,

Pryletila lastivoñka.

Stala vona ščebetaty

Hospodaria vyklykaty.

“Vyidy, vyidy hospodaroñku,

Podyvysia na košaroñku

Tvoyi korovy vsi otelylys

Po teliatkovi popryvodyli.”

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir! Večir!

Ščedryk, ščedryk, ščedrivoñka:

“Tam ovečky pokotylys’

A yahniata narodylys’.

V tebe tovar ves’ khorošyi

budeš maty mirku hrošey.

Khoč ne hrošy to polova.

V tebe žínka čornobrova.”

Hey!

Carol, carol, little carol,

a little swallow flew in.

She perched to chirp

and to call out the master of the house.

“Come out, come out sweet master:

look at the little sheep stall.

Your cows have all given birth,

each has brought forth a calf.”

A bountiful evening, good evening! Evening!

Carol, carol, little carol:

“Your ewes rolled over

and lambkins have been born.

Your goods are so abundant

that you’ll have a lot of money.

If not money then you’ll have grain.

You have a dark-eyed wife.”

Hey!

Oy iz-za khmary, zza tumanu

Yasen misiats vyplyvaye.

Z novym rokom vas vitayem,

Ščastia i radosti bažayem.

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir,

Dobrym liudiam na zdorovia.

Khai lunaye pisñia naša,

Pisñia myru, družby i ščastia.

Z novym rokom vas vitayem,

Ščastia i radosti bažayem.

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir,

Z novym rokom vas!

From behind the clouds, behind the mist,

a bright moon is gliding forth.

With the new year, we greet you,

wishing you good fortune and joy.

A bountiful evening, a good evening,

to all good people good health.

May our song resound,

a song of peace, unity, and good fortune.

With the new year, we greet you,

wishing you good fortune and joy.

A bountiful evening, a good evening,

Happy New Year to all!

Dobryi večir tobi,

pane hospodariu: Raduysia!
Oy raduysia, zemle:

Syn Božyi narodyvsia.

Zasteliayte stoly

Ta vse kylymamy: Raduysia! (Ref)

Tay kladit’ kalači

Z yaroyi pšenytsi: Raduysia! (Ref)

Good evening to you,

master of thе house: Rejoice!

(Ref) Oh rejoice, earth:

the Son of God is born.

Cover the tables,

all with kilims: Rejoice! (Ref)

And place khalah-breads

made of new wheat: Rejoice! (Ref)

Pendžereden khar geliyur,

Ardyma bak-sam, yar geliyur,

Of, aman, aman, yar, aman, aman, of.

Pendžeresi yešil’ de boya,

Kore de bil’sem don da doya.

Of aman, aman, yar, aman, aman, of.

Yeger kor’sem doya da doya,

Mum yak-arym boydan da boya.

Of aman, aman, yar, aman, aman, of.

At my window, snow is falling.

Turning my gaze, I see my beloved coming.

Ah, good tidings of things to come, ah.

At your window, there are colorful curtains.

You are the cause of my longing.

Ah, good tidings of things to come, ah.

If it is my fate to love you always,

Then your path will be adorned with candles.

Ah, good tidings of things to come, ah.

Oy khodyt’ son kolo vikon

A drimota kolo plota.

Pytayetsia son drimoty:

“A de budem nochuvaty?”

“De khatoñka tepleseñka

De dytyna maleseñka

Tudy budem nočuvaty

I dytynku kolysaty.”

Oy na kota, ta vorkota

Na dytynu ta drimota.

Kotyk bude vorkotaty;

Dytynoñka bude spaty.

Dream wanders by the windows

and Sleep by the fence.

Dream asks Sleep:

“Where shall we spend the night?’

“In a sweetly warm house

where the child is tiny.

There will we spend the night

and will cradle the child.”

O for the cat, and its purring,

for the child and its dreaming.

The little cat will purr;

the sweet little child will sleep.

Zletiv sokil na vikontse:

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir.

U svitlytsiu zahliadaye:

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir.

dobrym liudiam na ves’ večir.

Oy rano, rano! Vstavayte!

Oy rano, rano kury zapily, sviatyi večir.

A išče raniš Vasička ustav, sviatyi večir.

Vasička ustav, lyčkom zadzveniv,

Lyčkom zadzveniv, brattsiv rozbudyv.

Vstavayte brattsi, koney sidlayte!

Koney sidlayte, v pole vyizžayte. Rano!

Oy rano!

Zletiv sokil na vikontse:

Ščedryi večir, dobryi večir.

A falcon flew onto the windowsill:

A bountiful evening, a good evening.

He peers into the parlor:

A bountiful evening, a good evening

to good people for the whole night.

Early in the morning! Wake up!

Oh early in the morn, the chickens crowed,

and even earlier, Vasička аwoke.

Vasička woke up, twanged his bow,

Twanged his bow, roused his brothers.

Wake up brothers, saddle up the horses!

Saddle the horses, ride into the field. Early!

Oh early!

A falcon flew onto the windowsill:

A bountiful evening, a good evening.

Boh predvičnyi narodyvsia.

Pryišov dnes’ iz nebes

Ščob spasty liud sviy ves’,

I utišyvsia.

“Slava Bohu!” zaspivaimo!

Čest’ Synu Bozhomu

I Spasu nashomu

Poklin viddaimo.

God eternal is born.

He came today from the heavens

to save all of His people,

and He was glad.

“Glory to God!” let us sing!

In honor of the Son of God

and before our Saviour,

let us bow down.

Vinčuyemo Vas ščystim zdorovyem,

Ščystim zdorovyem, Sviatym Roždestvom!

U Vyfleyemi nyñi novyna:

Prečysta Diva porodyla Syna.

V yaslakh spovytyi, pomiž bydliaty,

Spočyv na sini—Boh ne obñiatyi.

Vže kheruvymy slavu spivayut’.

Anhel’s’ki khory Spasa vitayut’.

Pastyr ubohyi nese ščo može,

Ščob obdaryty dytiatko Bože.

Isuse mylyi, my ne bahati.

Zolota, dariv ne možem daty.

Ta dar tsinñišyi nesem vid myra,

Tse vira sertsia i liubov čyra.

Hliañ okom ščyrym, o Božyi Synu,

Na našu zemliu, na Ukrayinu.

Pošly iz neba dar prevelykyi,

Ščob Tia slavyly po vičñi viky.

Po vičñi viky. Po viky!

We bless you with good health,

with good health, at the Holy Nativity!

In Bethlehem today come tidings:

The immaculate Virgin gave birth to a Son.

In a manger swaddled, among the cattle,

there rested on the hay—God unbound.

Now the cherubim sing of glory.

Angelic choirs greet the Savior.

The humble shepherd carries what he can,

to bestow gifts to the little child of God.

Sweet Jesus, we are not wealthy.

Gold, gifts we cannot give.

But we carry the most precious gift from

our world:

the faith of our heart and our sincere love.

Look down with a kind eye, o Son of God,

upon our land, on Ukraine.

Send from heaven your greatest gift,

so that we will praise You for ever more.

For ever more. Forever!