James Lord Pierpont originally composed his song in 1850. A plaque commemorating the “birthplace” of “Jingle Bells” adorns the side of a building in Medford, Massachusetts. Pierpont wrote the song there, at the former Simpson Tavern, now 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square. According to the Medford Historical Society, the song was inspired by the town’s popular sleigh races during the 1800s.
Tonight, depending on what part of the world you are in and what part of the world the other is, it will be Christmas eve night. So a sleighing song to commemorate the red, plump looter that comes into houses all around the world with levitating deer would be appropriate. However this was originally a thanksgiving carol. Go figure. There are 4 verses but the last 3 have pretty much gone into obscurity and would be considered in the realm of the original “One Horse Open Sleigh” title, and “Jingle Bells” being the first verse and chorus. I’ll only post those here. Go search if you really want to know the rest but you will probably be put aside as if you made it up.
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight!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.
