Saturday Night Live is back after an almost month-long hiatus, and instead of their normal comedic cold open, there was an appearance by the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York.
SNL opened with cast members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong introducing the choir, who then sang “Prayer for Ukraine” as a tribute to the ongoing crisis from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Prayer for Ukraine” was written by Oleksandr Konysky with music composed by Mykola Lysenko and first published in 1885, initially with a children’s choir in mind. The song became the regular closing hymn in services of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and other churches and gained national significance when it was performed by mass choirs during the Ukrainian War of Independence in 1917–1920. The hymn was intended to be an official spiritual anthem of Ukraine.
“Prayer for Ukraine” was notably performed in Kyiv in 2001 during a parade celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. The lyrics can be found below.
Lord, oh the Great and Almighty,
protect our beloved Ukraine,
Bless her with freedom and light
of your holy rays.
With learning and knowledge enlighten us,
your children small,
in love pure and everlasting.
Let us, oh Lord, grow.
We pray, oh Lord Almighty,
protect our beloved Ukraine,
Grant our people and country
all your kindness and grace.
Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,
guide into kind world,
bless us, oh Lord, with good fortune
for ever and evermore.
Once the song ended, McKinnon and Strong then returned to the stage and said the show’s signature catch phrase, “Live… From New York, it’s Saturday night.” The camera then cut to a table of candles, which spelled out “Kyiv,” the Ukrainian capital city.
The show as hosted by five-timer John Mulaney with musical guest LCD Soundsystem.
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