There is a long tradition of caroling in Cancer. On the evening before the Feast of the Three Kings and at dawn, the boys would go from house to house with a special carol song with the following lyrics:
Good evening God give,
to my mum and dad first of all.
We have come to sing for you,
of the three kings revealed.
The three kings were from Available at home
and they ‘knew about Jesus,
for Jesus of Nazareth,
for this new king.
A bright star shows them the way,
yes no go to elsewhere,
elsewhere from The stable Bethlehem,
because our new King is born.
But when they arrive in front of the shtetl,
bow low
and offer to Jesus.
Peace, incense, pure gold
were offered to Jesus,
to our Saviour.
We will now take our leave of this house,
after another's way we're going home.
May the eternal God remain with you,
but may the Holy Spirit rejoice with us.
The carol singers wish people a happy holiday by singing a song, and their purpose is to socialise and preserve a tradition that is still alive in some Slovenian towns.
Franc Bakšič says: »In the evening before the feast, we go out and sing the occasional songs typical of the time. We write the initials of the names of the Three Holy Kings and the year of the visit in chalk over the door (or stick stickers already made over the entrance). This custom has already been accepted by the locals, so they are already expecting us. And it's a special atmosphere when there are lights everywhere. Nowadays the houses are newer, so sometimes they don't hear us, or they are asleep when we arrive.«
He is also a singer in the mixed church choir at Raka. He remembers how, as a child, he looked forward to visiting the carol singers, whom he later joined. Today, in the parish of Raka, carols are held on St George's Day and on the feast of the Three Kings. He has been carolling for more than 50 years.
There are several small groups on Raka, which set off as agreed District. This allows them to visit as many families or households as possible. Older singers are joined by younger ones. The singing tradition in Raka has been firmly rooted for many years. Interestingly, the lyrics vary slightly in different places where carol singing is still present, with each group singing its own version.
Over the years, the texts have been slightly adapted and adapted in each place. The songs are sung in the vicinity of the Raška parish, although sometimes they also went somewhere outside the borders of Raška; to their relatives or friends. There are three or four carol singers in each group. They also carry a star, which is made on a grid and has a light on it, which they light up to create an even more authentic atmosphere.
»Nowadays, people thank the carol singers with a monetary contribution or a bottle of wine. The money is usually spent on the rectory; for example, for heating or for the restoration of its altar.«
Primož Trubar and Janez Vajkard Valvasor were among the first to write about carols. There are several types of carols; Christmas carols, New Year's carols, carols on the feast of the Three Kings, carols on St George's Day and carols for Christmas carols. Sometimes there was also a boys' carol service. Name caroller is now only found in Dolenjska and Gorenjska, if the information I found is correct.
The purpose of carols is for carol singers to bless the house to ensure a good harvest, good health and good luck for people and livestock, in return for which gifts such as eggs, sausages or bacon were sometimes given.
May the tradition of carol singing continue to unite the villagers and the beautiful Slovenian tradition. This year, a group of carol singers, including Franc, visited almost a hundred homesteads and sang carol songs to them.
Andreja Bakšič Grozdina, 25. 1. 2026
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