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Carol: Jingle Bells
History: It was written by James Lord Pierpont, possibly in 1857. It might have been for a church choir, or it might have been a drinking song. No one knows for sure. It became associated with Christmas because of its winter theme. It is the first Christmas song ever recorded, too, in 1898! A plaque at 19 High Street in Medford, Massachusetts, USA, commemorates the “birthplace” of “Jingle Bells”, claiming Pierpont was inspired by the town’s popular sleigh races during the 19th century.
Lyrics:
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob-tails 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.
Now the ground is white,
Go it while you’re young.
Take the girls tonight,
Sing this sleighing song.
Get a bobtailed bay,
Two forty for his speed,
And hitch him to an open sleigh,
And you will take the lead.
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,
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In one horse open sleigh!
Heartland English School - Word of the Day 