Jingle Bells

"Jingle Bells" is not really a Christmas song. James Lord Pierpont wrote it in the 1850s about sleigh racing, a fast horse, and showing off for a girl, with no mention of the holiday anywhere in the lyrics. The link to Christmas came later, out of schoolrooms and family singalongs.

Origins

The song was written by the American composer James Lord Pierpont and published in Boston in September 1857. It was originally copyrighted under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh." According to local tradition, Pierpont composed the song in 1850 while living in Medford, Massachusetts, inspired by the popular sleigh races held in the town during the winter months. Other accounts suggest he wrote it later in Savannah, Georgia, where he worked as an organist. The song was republished in 1859 with the title "Jingle Bells; or, The One Horse Open Sleigh," which helped it gain widespread popularity.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics are all about the thrill and speed of riding in an open sleigh pulled by a single horse. The "bob-tails" mentioned in the lyrics refer to horses whose tails were cut short or tied up to prevent them from getting caught in the sleigh's harness. Bells were placed on the harnesses both as a musical decoration and as a safety measure to alert pedestrians, since sleighs glide almost silently over the snow. The association with Christmas only began in the 1860s and 1870s, as the song became a common feature of holiday school programs and family gatherings.

Who composed the song Jingle Bells?

The song was composed and written by James Lord Pierpont in the 1850s. He was an American songwriter, arranger, and organist who originally published the piece in Boston.

What was the original title of Jingle Bells?

The song was originally published in 1857 under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh." It was renamed to "Jingle Bells; or, The One Horse Open Sleigh" when it was republished in 1859.