One of the best-loved Christmas singalongs, 'Jingle Bells' has been sung lustily on cold winter nights since the mid 19th century. Here are the lyrics to' Jingle Bells' - and some history behind this perennially [popular festive number.
When was 'Jingle Bells' written and composed?
'Jingle Bells' was written by songwriter, organist and composer James Lord Pierpont in Massachusetts in 1857. It was originally called 'The One Horse Open Sleigh'. Although not written as a Christmas song, it started to become associated with the festivities in the 1860s. Today, Christmas is nigh unthinkable without a rousing edition of 'Jingle Bells'.
When was the first recording of 'Jingle Bells'?
Will Lyle was the first to record 'Jingle Bells' in 1889 using an Edison cylinder, and since then it has been recorded by many stars including Glenn Miller in 1941 and Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters in 1943. More recently, in 2006, Kimberley Locke had a No. 1 hit with it.
Not only is 'Jingle Bells' one of the best Christmas songs for kids but one of the best Christmas songs ever. Read on for the lyrics to 'Jingle Bells'.
'Jingle Bells' lyrics
[Verse 1]
Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight!
[Chorus]
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.
[Verse ]
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.
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
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.
[Chorus]
[Verse 4]
Now the ground is white Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song
Just get a bobtailed bay Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh And crack! you'll take the lead.
[Chorus]
'Jingle Bells' trivia
Did you know that 'Jingle Bells' was the first song to be broadcasted from space? Using a smuggled harmonica and sleigh bell, astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra performed a version in 1965 while up in space.