Nova Radist Stala

Nova Radist Stala is a Ukrainian Christmas carol which was rewritten by the Soviet Union. Reagan highlighted the carol and its rewrites in one of his radio commentaries in 1978.

Original Song	First Rewrite	Second Rewrite
The joyous news has come Which never was before Over a cave above a manger A bright star has lit the world, Where Jesus was born from a virgin maiden Clad in raiment poor Like a peasant baby. The shepherds with a lamb Surrounded the child, And on flected knees They him glorified We beg you, our King We pray to you today Grant happiness and joy To this family.	The joyous news has come which never was before A red star with five tails Has brightly lit the world The Altars have crumbled And all the Kings have fallen. Glory to the working people To shepherds and the ploughman! Glory to our host And to his fair hostess! May all their family Especially the Children Grow up to be strong and happy So's to fight the rich men.	The joyous news has come Which never was before Long-awaited star of freedom Lit the skies in October1. Where formerly lived the Kings And had the roots their nobles, There today with simple folks Lenin’s glory hovers.

1: The Russian Revolution of 1917 began in October, hence the mention of that month, rather than December.

After sharing the three versions, Reagan then explains that there is an additional verse added to the Soviet ones, but it is ONLY sung, never written down:

We beg you our Lord,
We pray to you today
Grant us freedom, return glory
To our mother Ukraine.