1. The Norwegian choral ensemble Cantus was formed in 1986 by a group of young women who wanted to take control of their own performances. The group, consisting of 30 amateur singers, is based in Tronheim and led by Tove Ramlo-Ystad, who joined as a singer and has become the group's director. Cantus typically performs arrangement of classical and contempary works, and has crossed over into jazz, folk, and pop music.
The group credits its participation in choral competitions with sharpening its focus and raising the quality of its performances.
Cantus has become an international sensation because of its inclusion on the soundtracks of both Disney films Frozen I and II, featuring the tracks Vuelie and Reindeer Circle, written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck.
2. Originally founded at St. Olaf College, Cantus is now a nine person male vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis. They sing a wide variety of vocal music, and have performed in some innovative theater pieces as well.
3. Cantus from Lithuania, making some mixture of Christian and Lithuanian folk music.
Carol of the Bells
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
Ding, dong, joy to every home
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere filling the air
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home
Ding, dong, ding, dong
Joy to every home
The song "Carol of the Bells" is a classic Christmas song with origins in Ukraine. The song is known for its use of bells, which represent the announcement of the arrival of Jesus Christ. In the lyrics, the bells are described as "sweet silver bells" that ring with a joyful tone, filling the air with words of good cheer. The melody consists mainly of repeated notes, imitating the sound of bells ringing, as the lyrics speak of the bells pounding and raising their sound over hill and dale.
The song encourages people to throw their cares away and to welcome the Christmas season with joy and cheer, for it is a time for young and old, meek and the bold. The repeated refrain of "merry, merry, merry Christmas" emphasizes the joyful nature of the holiday season. The song concludes with the bells sending their joyful tone to every home, reminding listeners of the message of Christmas and its power to bring happiness to all.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells
Listen to the melody of these beautiful silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Their sound implies that we should forget our worries and enjoy the moment
Christmas is here bringing good cheer
This is the season of spreading joy and happiness
To young and old, meek and the bold
Everyone, regardless of age or character, can experience the spirit of Christmas
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
These bells sing out in a rhythmic and joyful pattern
With joyful ring all caroling
They are singing merrily, spreading the festive spirit
One seems to hear words of good cheer
The sound of the bells gives the feeling of happiness and positivity
From everywhere filling the air
The joy of Christmas is all around us, in the atmosphere and surroundings
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
The bells are ringing loudly, creating a reverberating sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
They spread their melody and story across the countryside
Gaily they ring while people sing
The bells are sung along with by everyone who hears them
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here
Their tune represents the joyous mood of Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Wishing everyone a happy and merry Christmas
On, on they send, on without end
The bells keep ringing out their melody without a pause
Their joyful tone to every home
They spread their delightful tune to every house and place
Ding, dong, ding, dong
The sound of the bell's melody
Joy to every home
Wishing happiness to every household and family
Writer(s): M. Leontovich, Peter Wilhousky, Steve Kupferschmid
Contributed by London V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.