Generous Evening: What Songs to Sing for Well-Being and Life’s Goodness
Every year on December 31, Ukraine celebrates the holiday of Shchedry Vecher, or Malanky. On this day, it is customary to go from house to house and sing ritual songs called shchedrivka.
According to ancient traditions, in this way, the generous people honored the owners of the houses, wishing them well-being, health, and a rich harvest in the coming year.
The process was accompanied by music, dances, and masks. A mandatory element of the theatrical program was the driving of a goat.
Other important characters included Malanka and Vasyl. Traditionally, a boy would dress up as a woman, with lips and eyebrows painted, and blush added, while a girl would dress up as a man, with a mustache and beard painted on.
The generosity began with the appearance of the first star and continued until late in the evening.
“ Pryamyy ” has put together a selection of the best songs for giving.
***
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedryvochka,
A swallow has flown in,
I started to chirp to myself,
Call the owner:
— Come out, come out, master,
Look at the sheepfold,
There the sheep rolled,
And the lambs were born.
Your goods are all good,
You will have a measure of money.
Even if it’s not money, it’s half,
You have a black-browed woman.
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedryvochka,
A swallow has flown in.
***
The generous girl was generous, running up to the window.
“Did you, aunt, cook it, or did you, aunt, bake it?”
Bring me a dumpling and a pie to the window.
Bring it to the doorstep quickly!
If it’s hot, give it to us, if it’s cold, give it to you.
And our grandmother’s hands are white,
He walks around the table making dumplings.
***
Melanochka walked
Vasilyechka asked:
— Vasilechka, my dear,
Let me in the house.
Rejoice, people,
There will be a holiday for you,
Set the tables,
Give us a pie.
***
Oh gray-haired, that little cuckoo,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
She flew around all the gardens,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
And she never visited one.
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
And in that garden there are three towers.
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
And in the first one – a clear moon,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
And in the second – the red sun,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
And in the third – small stars.
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
The clear moon is the master,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
The red sun is his wife,
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
The small stars are their children.
Good evening, good evening,
Good health to good people!
***
As we walked, we wandered,
Then they met a generous man.
We came to the house with her,
So let me be generous!
Happiness, joy, prosperity,
To the guardian angel!
Let them come to the house
Friends are faithful and cheerful,
A sea of laughter and love.
May everyone be healthy!
They came to your house to give generously.
Good evening, good evening!
The master lives here – the owner of wealth.
Good evening, good evening!
And his wealth is golden hands.
Good evening, good evening!
And his joy is good children.
Good evening, good evening!
***
Shchedryk, shchedryk, shchedryvochka
A star shone in the sky,
So they came to your house.
Wishing everyone good health,
May it be a wonderful year,
Only joy was on the doorstep,
The family was friendly.
And all of our Ukraine!
***
The table is beautifully and generously set!
It will be a rich, well-fed year,
There will be happiness and health,
You will live with love,
Good deeds and actions will be,
Your hopes will come true!
I wish you peace and happiness!
Happy New Year!
***
Good evening to your house!
We came to give!
We wish happiness to the family,
Peace to Ukraine,
Prosperity and luck to all
There is understanding in the family!
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram .