Carol of the Bells: New Lyrics Competition

This festive season, we’re holding a competition to find some new original lyrics to the well-known song, Carol of the Bells (originally a Ukrainian song). The competition is open to anyone who does not write lyrics in a professional capacity, and the winning lyrics will be rehearsed and performed by our Sing for Happiness choir at its Christmas season performance on Saturday 5 December 2026 at St George’s Bristol. Competitors should write original lyrics for the two verses of Carol of the Bells. We encourage you to listen to the song and think about what it makes you think of or feel. We would like the lyrics to be seasonal – but this doesn’t mean that they have to be religious or about Christmas (for example, it may be linked to nature, the weather or activities or feelings during winter). The deadline for entries is 5pm Friday 6 November 2026. Please see below for further details, inspiration, and full competition T&Cs.