The origin of the Jingle Bells carol

The instantly recognizable “Jingle Bells” has become a wildly popular Christmas carol despite not mentioning Christmas or any other holiday. Written by New England native James Lord Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” is commemorated with plaques in two different cities, each of which claims to be the place where Pierpont wrote the song in the 1850s. One plaque is in Medford, Massachusetts, where Pierpont is said to have written the song from a tavern while watching sleigh races taking place outside. The other plaque is in Savannah, Georgia, where locals believe Pierpont wrote the lyrics prior to leading a sing-along of the song at a local church in 1857.

“Jingle Bells”

(Extended version) Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh O’er the fields we go Laughing all the way Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight! Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. A day or two ago I thought I’d take a ride And soon, Miss Fanny Bright Was seated by my side, The horse was lean and lank Misfortune seemed his lot He got into a drifted bank And then we got upsot. Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago, The story I must tell I went out on the snow, And on my back I fell; A gent was riding by In a one-horse open sleigh, He laughed as there I sprawling lie, But quickly drove away. Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white Go it while you’re young, Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song; Just get a bobtailed steed Two forty as his speed Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you’ll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh. Lyrics written by James Lord Pierpont