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{{Short description|American Christmas carol}} |
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[[File:Jingle-Bells-Sheet-Music-chorus-SS.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Musical notation]] for the chorus of "Jingle Bells"]] |
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{{For|the instrument|Jingle bell}} |
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[[File:Jingle Bells 19 High St Medford MA-2010.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Plaque at 19 High Street, [[Medford, Massachusetts]]]] |
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{{Use American English|date=July 2022}} |
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[[File:Pierpont Jingle Bells Savannah.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Historical marker in [[Savannah, Georgia]]]] |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2017}} |
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{{Infobox song |
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| name = Jingle Bells |
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| cover = One Horse Open Sleigh title page.jpg |
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| caption = Title page of "The One Horse Open Sleigh" |
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| type = song |
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| language = English |
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| published = September 16, 1857, by [[Oliver Ditson & Co.]], Boston |
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| genre = [[Christmas music|Christmas]] |
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| composer = [[James Lord Pierpont]] |
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| lyricist = James Lord Pierpont |
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| misc = Originally titled as "The One Horse Open Sleigh" |
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}} |
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"'''Jingle Bells'''" is one of the |
"'''Jingle Bells'''" is one of the most commonly sung<ref>Collins, Ace. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2xV3ZhqEFsC&q=%22jingle+bells%22+%22best+known%22+%22winter+song%22&dq=%22jingle+bells%22+%22best+known%22+%22winter+song%22 ''Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116232124/https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2xV3ZhqEFsC&q=%22jingle+bells%22+%22best+known%22+%22winter+song%22&dq=%22jingle+bells%22+%22best+known%22+%22winter+song%22 |date=January 16, 2023 }} Zondervan, 2004. {{ISBN|0310264480}}. p. 104.</ref> [[Christmas]] songs in the world. It was written in 1850 by [[James Lord Pierpont]] at Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts. It was published under the title "'''The One Horse Open Sleigh'''" in September 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a [[Sunday school]] choir for [[Thanksgiving]], or as a drinking song.<ref name=thanksgiving>{{cite web |title=A Thanksgiving Carol |url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/jinglebells.asp |publisher=snopes.com |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-date=December 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223203050/http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/music/jinglebells.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Although it has no original connection to Christmas,<ref>{{cite news|author=Doyle, Steven|url=http://www.greensboro.com/life/this-day-in-history/article_f89ff63f-aa47-586c-94b8-e26127e65ff0.html|title=This day in history: Sept. 16, 1857|newspaper=[[Greensboro News & Record]]|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916062539/http://www.greensboro.com/life/this-day-in-history/article_f89ff63f-aa47-586c-94b8-e26127e65ff0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> it became associated with winter and [[Christmas music]] in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of [[parlor song]] and college anthologies in the 1880s.<ref name="joebrown">{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Joel|url=https://www.bu.edu/today/2016/jingle-bells-history/|title=History of Jingle Bells|newspaper=[[BU Today]]|date=December 8, 2016|access-date=February 3, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114233739/http://www.bu.edu/articles/2016/jingle-bells-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was first recorded in 1889 on an [[Phonograph cylinder|Edison cylinder]]; this recording, believed to be the first Christmas record, is [[lost media|lost]], but an 1898 recording - also from Edison Records - survives.<ref name="yule" /> |
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== |
==History== |
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===Composition=== |
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It is an unsettled question where and when [[James Pierpont (musician)|James Lord Pierpont]] originally composed the song that would become known as "Jingle Bells". A plaque at 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square in [[Medford, Massachusetts]] commemorates the "birthplace" of "Jingle Bells", and claims that Pierpont wrote the song there in 1850, at what was then the Simpson Tavern. According to the Medford Historical Society, the song was inspired by the town's popular [[sleigh]] races during the 19th century. |
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[[File:Jingle Bells 19 High St Medford MA-2010.jpg|thumb|350px|Plaque at 19 High Street, [[Medford, Massachusetts]] ]] |
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[[File:Pierpont Jingle Bells Savannah.jpg|thumb|350px|Historical marker in [[Savannah, Georgia]] ]] |
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{{Multiple image|direction=vertical|width=250 |
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|image2=One Horse Open Sleigh chorus notation.jpg|caption2=First half of the chorus |
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|image3=One Horse Open Sleigh chorus other verses.jpg|caption3=Second half of the chorus and other verses |
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|header=Musical notations of the original version |
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}} |
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[[James Lord Pierpont]] originally copyrighted the song with the name "The One Horse Open Sleigh" on September 16, 1857.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 16, 1857|author=Pierpont, J.|title=One Horse Open Sleigh|location=Boston|publisher=Oliver Ditson & Co.|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=sm1820&fileName=sm2%2Fsm1857%2F620000%2F620520%2Fmussm620520.db&recNum=0&itemLink=r%3Fammem%2Fmussm%3A%40filreq%28%40field%28NUMBER+%40band%28sm1857+620520%29%29+%40field%28COLLID+sm1820%29%29&linkText=0|access-date=December 26, 2006|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126185905/http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=sm1820&fileName=sm2%2Fsm1857%2F620000%2F620520%2Fmussm620520.db&recNum=0&itemLink=r%3Fammem%2Fmussm%3A%40filreq%28%40field%28NUMBER+%40band%28sm1857+620520%29%29+%40field%28COLLID+sm1820%29%29&linkText=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The songwriting credit given was "Song and Chorus written and composed by J. Pierpont." Possibly intended as a drinking song, it didn't become a Christmas song until decades after it was first performed. Pierpont dedicated the song to [[John P. Ordway]], Esq., an organizer of a [[Theatrical troupe|troupe]] called "Ordway's Aeolians".<ref>Staff (2014, updated 2022) [https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/james-lord-pierpont-10-unusual-facts-life/ "10 Unusual Facts About James Lord Pierpont"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327223106/https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/james-lord-pierpont-10-unusual-facts-life/|date=March 27, 2023}} [[New England Historical Society]]</ref> |
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It is an unsettled question where and when Pierpont originally composed the song that would become known as "Jingle Bells". A plaque at 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square in [[Medford, Massachusetts]], commemorates the "birthplace" of "Jingle Bells", and claims that Pierpont wrote the song there in 1850, at what was then the Simpson Tavern. Previous local history narratives claim the song was inspired by the town's popular [[sleigh]] races during the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|author=Wilcox, Kris|url=http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/298769.shtml|title=James Lord Pierpont and the mystery of 'Jingle Bells'|date=December 15, 2014|website=UU World|access-date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316152206/http://uuworld.org/ideas/articles/298769.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The date of the song's copyright casts some doubt on the theory that Pierpont wrote the song in Medford, since by that date he was the organist and music director of the [[History_of_Unitarianism#United_States|Unitarian]] Church in [[Savannah, Georgia]], where his brother, Rev. John Pierpont Jr., was employed. In August of the same year, James Pierpont married the daughter of the mayor of Savannah. He stayed on in the city even after the church closed due to its [[Abolitionist]] leanings.<ref>[http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm "James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893) Author of 'Jingle Bells'"] on the ''Hymns and Carols of Christmas'' website</ref> |
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The song was republished in 1859 by Oliver Ditson and Company, 277 Washington Street, Boston, with the new title "Jingle Bells; or, The One Horse Open Sleigh". Its sheet music cover featured a drawing of [[sleigh bells]] around the title.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/collection/062/029 |title=Jingle Bells. Johns Hopkins. Sheridan Libraries and University Museums. The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection. Retrieved 16 December 2021. |access-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216223442/https://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/collection/062/029 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sleigh bells were strapped across the horse to make the jingle, jangle sound.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} |
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==Lyrics== |
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Music historian James Fuld notes that "the word ''jingle'' in the title and opening phrase is apparently an [[Imperative mood|imperative verb]]."<ref name="James J. Fuld p. 313">James J. Fuld, ''The Book of World-Famous Music'', Fifth Edition, Dover Publications (New York), p. 313.</ref> In the winter in New England in pre-automobile days, it was common to adorn horses' harnesses with straps bearing bells as a way to avoid collisions at blind intersections, since a horse-drawn sleigh in snow makes almost no noise. The rhythm of the tune mimics that of a trotting horse's bells. However, "jingle bells" is commonly taken to mean [[Jingle bell|a certain kind of bell]]. |
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"Jingle Bells" was first performed on September 15, 1857, at [[Ordway Hall (Boston)|Ordway Hall]] in Boston by blackface minstrel performer Johnny Pell.<ref name="Hamill">{{Cite journal|last=Hamill|first=Kyna|date=September 2017|title='The story I must tell': 'Jingle Bells' in the Minstrel Repertoire|journal=[[Theatre Survey]]|language=en|volume=58|issue=3|pages=375–403|doi=10.1017/S0040557417000291|issn=0040-5574|doi-access=free}}</ref> The song was in the then-popular style or genre of "sleighing songs". Pierpont's lyrics are strikingly similar to lines from many other popular sleigh-riding songs of the time; researcher Kyna Hamill argued that this, along with his constant need for money, led him to compose and release the song solely as a financial enterprise: "Everything about the song is churned out and copied from other people and lines from other songs—there's nothing original about it."<ref name=joebrown /><ref name="Hamill" /> |
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'''Jingle Bells''' |
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By the time the song was released and copyrighted, Pierpont had relocated to [[Savannah, Georgia]], to serve as organist and music director of that city's [[Unitarian Universalist Church (Savannah, Georgia)|Unitarian Church]] (now Unitarian Universalist), where his brother, Rev. John Pierpont Jr., served as minister. In August 1857, Pierpont married Eliza Jane Purse, daughter of the mayor of Savannah. Pierpont remained in Savannah and never returned north.<ref name="Hamill" /><ref>[http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm "James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) Author of 'Jingle Bells'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231173658/http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm |date=December 31, 2020 }} on the ''Hymns and Carols of Christmas'' website</ref> |
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:''Dashing through the snow'' |
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:''In a one-horse open sleigh'' |
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:''O'er the fields we go'' |
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:''Laughing all the way'' |
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The [[double meaning]] of "upsot" (an old variant of the past tense of "upset") was thought humorous, as a sleigh ride gave an unescorted couple a rare chance to be together, unchaperoned, in distant woods or fields, with all the opportunities that afforded.<ref name="Hamill" /> This upset became the climactic component of a sleigh-ride outing within the sleigh narrative.<ref name="Hamill" /> |
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:''Bells on bobtail ring' |
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:''Making spirits bright'' |
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:''What fun it is to ride and sing'' |
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:''A sleighing song tonight!'' |
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===Recordings and performances=== |
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::''Jingle bells, jingle bells,'' |
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{{see also|List of artists who have recorded "Jingle Bells"}} |
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::''Jingle all the way.'' |
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::''Oh! what fun it is to ride'' |
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::''In a one-horse open sleigh.'' |
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James Lord Pierpont's 1857 composition "Jingle Bells" became one of the most performed and most recognizable secular holiday songs ever written, not only in the United States, but around the world. In recognition of this achievement, James Lord Pierpont was voted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} |
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::''Jingle bells, jingle bells,'' |
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::''Jingle all the way;'' |
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::''Oh! what fun it is to ride'' |
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::''In a one-horse open sleigh.'' |
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"Jingle Bells" was first recorded by banjoist Will Lyle on October 30, 1889 (attested A T E Wangemann Logbook, p. 114), on an [[Edison cylinder]], but no surviving copies are known to exist.<ref name=yule>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawnofsound.com/2008/12/voices-of-christmas-past-2/|title=Voices of Christmas Past|publisher=dawnofsound.com|date=December 2, 2008|access-date=January 9, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=January 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131112927/http://www.dawnofsound.com/2008/12/voices-of-christmas-past-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> The earliest surviving vocal recording was made by the Edison Male Quartette in 1898, also on an Edison cylinder (and 1898 Columbia brown wax 4090), as part of a 'Christmas' medley titled "Sleigh Ride Party".<ref name=yule /> In 1902, the [[Hayden Quartet]] recorded "Jingle Bells". The song became a Christmas favorite in the early twentieth century.<ref name=joebrown /> |
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Although less well-known than the opening, the remaining verses depict high-speed youthful fun. In the second verse, the narrator takes a ride with a girl and loses control of the sleigh:- |
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[[File:Schirra and Stafford Suit-Up - GPN-2000-001478.jpg|thumb|[[Wally Schirra]] and [[Thomas P. Stafford|Tom Stafford]] of [[Gemini VI]] (1965)]] |
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:''A day or two ago'' |
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:''I thought I'd take a ride'' |
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:''And soon, Miss Fanny Bright'' |
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:''Was seated by my side,'' |
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:''The horse was lean and lank'' |
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:''Misfortune seemed his lot'' |
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:''He got into a drifted bank'' |
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:''And then we got upsot.''<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS TO "UPSET" -- "UPSOT" IS CORRECT--><ref group=lower-alpha>An archaic past participle of ''upset'', in this instance meaning "capsized", but was also slang for "drunk or intoxicated", perhaps by association with the British term "sot" (drunkard).</ref> |
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::|: chorus :| |
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In 1935, [[Benny Goodman]] and His Orchestra reached No. 18 on the charts with their Swing or big band recording of "Jingle Bells". In 1941, [[Glenn Miller]] and His Orchestra with [[Tex Beneke]], [[Marion Hutton]], [[Ernie Caceres]], and the [[Modernaires]] on vocals had a No. 5 hit on the ''Billboard'' pop singles chart with a big band arrangement of "Jingle Bells" on [[RCA Victor]] as Bluebird 11353-A. In 1943, [[Bing Crosby]] and [[the Andrews Sisters]] recorded "Jingle Bells" as Decca 23281<ref>{{cite web|title=A Bing Crosby Discography|url=http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/crosby1bDecca.html|magazine=BING magazine|publisher=International Club Crosby|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005054653/http://www.bingmagazine.co.uk/bingmagazine/crosby1bDecca.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which reached No. 19 on the charts<ref>{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954|date=1986|publisher=Record Research Inc|location=Wisconsin, USA|isbn=0-89820-083-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/113 113]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/113}}</ref> and sold over a million copies. In 1951, [[Les Paul]] had a No. 10 hit with a [[Multitrack recording|multi-tracked]] version on guitar. In 2001, [[House of Mouse]] version, sung by [[Wayne Allwine]], [[Russi Taylor]], and [[Bill Farmer]]. In 2006, [[Kimberley Locke]] had a No. 1 hit on the ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary chart with a recording of the song.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} |
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In the next verse (which is often skipped), he falls out of the sleigh and a rival laughs at him: |
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===First song in space=== |
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:''A day or two ago,'' |
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"Jingle Bells" was one of the first songs to [[Music in space|broadcast from space]], in a Christmas-themed prank by [[Gemini 6]] astronauts [[Thomas P. Stafford|Tom Stafford]] and [[Wally Schirra]]. While in space on December 16, 1965, they sent this report to [[Mission Control]]: |
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:''The story I must tell'' |
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{{blockquote|C6: Gemini VII, this is Gemini VI. We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in a polar orbit. He's in a very low trajectory traveling from north to south and has a very high climbing ratio. It looks like it might even be a ... Very low. Looks like he might be going to reenter soon. Stand by one ... You might just let me try to pick up that thing. (Music – Jingle Bells – from Spacecraft VI) P7: We got the tune, VI. C6: That was live, VII, not tape. CC: You're too much, VI.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gemini VI Voice Communications | publisher = NASA | url = https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/mission_trans/GT06_TEC.PDF | access-date = October 12, 2020 | archive-date = March 7, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230307041720/https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/mission_trans/GT06_TEC.PDF | url-status = live }} p. 116, timestamp 23:57:30.</ref>}} |
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:''I went out on the snow,'' |
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The astronauts then produced a smuggled harmonica and sleigh bells, and with Schirra on the harmonica and Stafford on the bells, broadcast a rendition of "Jingle Bells".<ref name=Smithsonian2005>{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Owen|date=December 2005|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/day-two-astronauts-said-they-saw-ufo-santa-suit-109444898/|title=The Day Two Astronauts Said They Saw a UFO Wearing a Red Suit|work=[[Smithsonian Magazine]]|page=25|access-date=March 21, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211063046/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/day-two-astronauts-said-they-saw-ufo-santa-suit-109444898/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The QI Third Book of General Ignorance|first1=John|last1=Mitchinson|first2=John|last2=Lloyd|author3=Andrew Hunter Murray|first4=James|last4=Harkin|publisher=Faber & Faber|date=September 23, 2015|page=90|location=London, England|isbn=9780571308989}}</ref> The harmonica, shown to the press upon their return, was a [[Hohner]] "Little Lady", a tiny harmonica approximately {{convert|1|in|cm|spell=in}} long, by {{convert|3/8|in|cm|adj=pre|of an}} wide.<ref name=Smithsonian2005/> |
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:''And on my back I fell;'' |
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:''A gent was riding by'' |
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:''In a one-horse open sleigh,'' |
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:''He laughed as there I sprawling lie,'' |
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:''But quickly drove away.'' |
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::|: chorus :| |
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{{Listen|type=speech|filename=Gemini VI Jingle Bells.ogg|title=Radio transmission|description=Between Gemini VI, Gemini VII and Mission Control in Houston, December 16, 1965}} |
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In the last verse, after relating his experience, he gives equestrian advice to a friend to pick up some girls, find a faster horse, and take off at full speed: |
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==Lyrics== |
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:''Now the ground is white'' |
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Music historian James Fuld notes that (as opposed to an [[adjective]]), "the word ''jingle'' in the title and opening phrase is apparently an [[Imperative mood|imperative verb]]."<ref name="James J. Fuld p. 313">Fuld, James J. (2012) ''The Book of World-Famous Music'' (Fifth Edition) New York: Dover Publications, p. 313. {{ISBN|9780486414751}}</ref> In the winter in [[New England]] in pre-automobile days, it was common to adorn horses' [[Horse harness|harness]]es with straps bearing bells as a way to avoid collisions at blind intersections, since a horse-drawn sleigh in snow produces almost no audible noise. The [[rhythm]] of the tune apparently mimics that of a trotting horse's bells; however, "[[jingle bell]]s" is commonly interpreted to mean a certain kind of bell. |
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:''Go it while you're young,'' |
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:''Take the girls tonight'' |
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'''Jingle Bells''' |
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:''and sing this sleighing song;'' |
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<poem> |
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:''Just get a bobtailed [[bay (horse)|bay]]'' |
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Dashing through the snow |
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:''Two forty as his speed''<ref group=lower-alpha>Two forty refers to a mile in two minutes and forty seconds at the [[Trot (horse gait)|trot]], or 22.5 miles per hour. This is a good speed, and suggests the horse should be a [[Standardbred]].</ref> |
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In a one-horse open sleigh |
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O'er the fields we go |
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:''And crack! you'll take the lead.'' |
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Laughing all the way |
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Bells on [[docking (animal)|bob tail]] ring<!--this is correct, please do not change it; see http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/collection/062/044--> |
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Making spirits bright |
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What fun it is to ride and sing |
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A sleighing song tonight! |
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:Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, |
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:Jingle all the way. |
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:Oh! what fun it is to ride |
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:In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey! |
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:Jingle bells, jingle bells, |
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:Jingle all the way; |
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:Oh! what fun it is to ride |
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:In a one-horse open sleigh. |
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</poem> |
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Although less well-known than the opening, the remaining verses depict high-speed youthful fun. In the second verse, the narrator takes a ride with a girl and loses control of the sleigh: |
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<poem> |
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A day or two ago |
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I thought I'd take a ride |
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And soon, Miss Fanny Bright |
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Was seated by my side, |
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The horse was lean and lank |
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Misfortune seemed his lot |
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He got into a drifted bank |
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And then we got {{not a typo|upsot}}.<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS TO "UPSET" -- "UPSOT" IS CORRECT--><ref group=lower-alpha>"Upsot" is an archaic or dialectic variant of the past tense of "upset", which allows the line to rhyme with "lot".</ref> |
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::|: chorus :| |
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</poem> |
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In the next verse (which is often skipped), he falls out of the sleigh and a rival laughs at him: |
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<poem> |
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A day or two ago, |
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The story I must tell |
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I went out on the snow, |
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And on my back I fell; |
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A gent was riding by |
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In a one-horse open sleigh, |
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He laughed as there I sprawling lie, |
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But quickly drove away. Ah! |
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::|: chorus :| |
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</poem> |
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In the last verse, after relating his experience, he gives advice to a friend to pick up some girls, find a faster horse, and take off at full speed: |
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<poem> |
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Now the ground is white |
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Go it while you're young, |
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Take the girls tonight |
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and sing this sleighing song; |
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Just get a bobtailed [[bay (horse)|bay]] |
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Two forty as his speed<ref group=lower-alpha>Two forty refers to a mile in two minutes and forty seconds at the [[trot]], or {{convert|22.5|mph|km/h}}. This is a good speed, and suggests the desired horse of that era was a type later known as a [[Standardbred]].</ref> |
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Hitch him to an open sleigh |
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And snap! You'll take the lead. |
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::|: chorus :| |
::|: chorus :| |
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</poem> |
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'''Notes to lyrics''' |
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{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} |
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===Original lyrics=== |
===Original lyrics=== |
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The 1857 lyrics differed slightly from those |
The two first [[stanza]]s and [[refrain|chorus]] of the original 1857 lyrics differed slightly from those known today. It is unknown who replaced the words with those of the modern version.<ref name="James J. Fuld p. 313"/> Underlined lyrics are the removed lyrics from the original version. Bold lyrics are the new lyrics in the current version. |
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<poem> |
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Dashing thro' the snow, |
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In a one-horse open sleigh, |
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O'er the {{underline|hills}} ('''fields''') we go, |
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Laughing all the way; |
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Bells on bob tail ring, |
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Making spirits bright, |
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{{underline|Oh what sport}} ('''What fun it is''') to ride and sing |
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A sleighing song tonight. |
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::|: chorus :| |
::|: chorus :| |
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: |
:Jingle bells, jingle bells, |
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: |
:Jingle all the way; |
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: |
:Oh! what {{underline|joy}} ('''fun''') it is to ride |
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: |
:In a one-horse open sleigh. |
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A day or two ago |
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I tho't I'd take a ride |
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And soon Miss Fannie Bright |
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Was seated by my side. |
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The horse was lean and lank |
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Misfortune seemed his lot |
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He got into a drifted bank |
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And {{underline|we—}} ('''then''') we got upsot. |
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::|: chorus :| |
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</poem> |
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:''A day or two ago'' |
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:''The story I must tell'' |
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:''I went out on the snow'' |
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:''And on my back I fell;'' |
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:''A gent was riding by'' |
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:''In a one-horse open sleigh,'' |
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:''He laughed as there I sprawling lie,'' |
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:''But quickly drove away,'' |
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::|: chorus :| |
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==Melody== |
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:''Now the ground is white'' |
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{{listen|type=music |
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:''Go it while you're young,'' |
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:''Take the girls tonight'' |
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:''And sing this sleighing song:'' |
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:''Just get a bobtailed bay'' |
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:''Two forty is his speed'' |
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:''Hitch him to an open sleigh'' |
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:''And crack! You'll take the lead.'' |
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::|: chorus :| |
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{{listen |
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| filename = Jingle Bells Or The One Horse Open Sleigh Complete.ogg |
| filename = Jingle Bells Or The One Horse Open Sleigh Complete.ogg |
||
| title = Jingle Bells, |
| title = Jingle Bells, or The One Horse Open Sleigh |
||
| description = Original melody |
| description = Original melody on [[piano]] |
||
| filename2 = Jingle Bells (90bpm) (Kevin MacLeod) (ISRC USUAN1100187).oga |
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| format = [[Ogg]] |
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| filename2 = Jingle Bells.ogg |
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| title2 = Jingle Bells |
| title2 = Jingle Bells |
||
| description2 = Performed on [[ |
| description2 = Performed by [[Kevin MacLeod]] on [[piano]], [[flute]], [[clarinet]], [[French horn]] |
||
| filename3 = Jingle Bells (Calm) (Kevin MacLeod) (ISRC USUAN1100188).oga |
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| format2 = [[Ogg]] |
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| filename3 = Jingle Bells2.ogg |
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| title3 = Jingle Bells |
| title3 = Jingle Bells |
||
| description3 = Performed on [[ |
| description3 = Performed on by Kevin MacLeod [[celesta]] and [[violin]] |
||
| filename4 = Jingle Bells (120bpm) (Kevin MacLeod) (ISRC USUAN1100187).opus |
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| format3 = [[Ogg]] |
|||
| |
| title4 = Jingle Bells |
||
| description4 = Performed by Kevin MacLeod on [[piano]], [[glockenspiel]], [[celesta]] |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
The original 1857 version of "Jingle Bells" featured a substantially different [[refrain|chorus]]. The [[chord progression|progression]] of descending chords in the original refrain (A{{music|flat}}–E{{music|flat}}/G–Fm–C–D{{music|flat}}–A{{music|flat}}/E{{music|flat}}–E{{music|flat}}<sup>7</sup>–A{{music|flat}}; in Roman numeral analysis, I–V<sup>6</sup>–vi–V/vi–IV–I{{su|b=4|p=6}}–V<sup>7</sup>–I) bears some resemblance to that of [[Pachelbel's Canon]]. The verses, on the other hand, have mostly the same melody (with some minor simplifications) in modern renditions as they did in 1857. The origin of the simpler, modern refrain is unknown, but it dates back at least 1898, when the oldest surviving phonograph recording of the song was released through [[Edison Records]]. |
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The "Jingle Bells" tune is used in French and German songs, although the lyrics are unrelated to the English lyrics. Both songs celebrate winter fun, as in the English version. The French song, titled "Vive le vent" ("Long Live the Wind"), was written by Francis Blanche<ref>{{cite web|title=Vive le vent (French chorus and literal English translation)|url=http://french.about.com/library/blxm-vivelevent.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=December 26, 2006|archive-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215200449/http://french.about.com/library/blxm-vivelevent.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vive le vent (with verses and augmented refrain)|url=http://www.paroles.net/chansons/23868.htm|publisher=Paroles.net|access-date=December 26, 2006|archive-date=April 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420234633/http://www.paroles.net/chansons/23868.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and contains references to [[Father Time]], [[Baby New Year]], and [[New Year's Day]]. There are several German versions of "Jingle Bells", including [[Roy Black (singer)|Roy Black]]'s "Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann".<ref>{{cite web|title=Roy Black's version of "Jingle Bells in German" (German lyrics and literal English translation)|url=http://german.about.com/library/blmus_jingleb.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=December 26, 2006|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203080608/https://www.thoughtco.com/roy-blacks-jingle-bells-in-german-4076261|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==Melody== |
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The original 1857 "Jingle Bells" had a slightly different [[refrain|chorus]] featuring a more [[Classical music|classical]]-style melody. The "I V vi iii IV I V I" chord progression is a common theme in classical music; except for the final two chord changes, the melody as originally written follows the same pattern as [[Pachelbel's Canon]], resembling the tune [[Jolly Old Saint Nicholas]], which appeared about fifty years after "Jingle Bells". |
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==Parodies and homages== |
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The "Jingle Bells" tune is used in French and German songs, although the lyrics are unrelated to the English lyrics. Both celebrate winter fun. The French song, titled "Vive le vent" ("Long Live the Wind"), was written by Francis Blanche<ref>{{cite web|title=Vive le vent (French chorus and literal English translation)|url=http://french.about.com/library/blxm-vivelevent.htm|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2006-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vive le vent (with verses and augmented refrain)|url=http://www.paroles.net/chansons/23868.htm|publisher=Paroles.net|accessdate=2006-12-26}}</ref> and contains references to [[Father Time]], [[Baby New Year]], and [[New Year's Day]]. There are several German versions of "Jingle Bells", including the popular [[Roy Black (singer)|Roy Black]] versions of [[Christkindl]] and [[Christmas]]time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roy Black, "Jingle Bells" (German lyrics and literal English translation)|url=http://german.about.com/library/blmus_jingleb.htm|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2006-12-26}}</ref> |
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{{external media| topic = Results from a survey of over 64,000 people for most common variations of the parody.| video1 = [http://youtube.com/watch?v=V5u9JSnAAU4 I Asked 64,182 People About “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells”. Here's What I Found Out.] [[Tom Scott (presenter)]], June 2020}} |
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Like many simple, catchy, and popular melodies, "Jingle Bells" is often the subject of [[parody]]. "Jingle Bells, [[Batman]] Smells" has been a well-known parody since the mid-1960s,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/36591175/?match=1&terms=%22Batman%20smells%22&clipping_id=82059715|newspaper=The Lawton Constitution|date=January 3, 1967|title=bill crawford|first=Bill|last=Crawford}}</ref> with many variations on the lyrics.<ref>{{cite book |title=American Children's Folklore |url=https://archive.org/details/americanchildren00augu |url-access=registration |last=Bronner |first=Simon J. |year=1988 |publisher=August House |page=[https://archive.org/details/americanchildren00augu/page/105 105]}}</ref> It has been referenced several times in official Batman media, notably appearing in the second episode of ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', "[[Christmas with the Joker]]". It also appears in the first episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", which led the series to be misattributed with creating the parody.<ref name="Groening">{{cite video |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire' |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox |year=2001 |people=[[Matt Groening|Groening, Matt]]}}</ref> |
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Parodies or novelty versions of "Jingle Bells" have been recorded by many artists, and include [[Harry Stewart|Yogi Yorgesson]]'s "Yingle Bells", [[Da Yoopers]]' "[[Rusty Chevrolet]]",<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/273493683/ | title=Come and say, yah hey: 'Rusty Chevrolet' rolls into holiday hit | work=Wausau Daily Herald | date=December 24, 1986 | accessdate=November 28, 2022 | author=Tom Berger | pages=1A | archive-date=November 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129001822/https://www.newspapers.com/image/273493683/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Colin Buchanan (musician)|Bucko]] and [[Greg Champion|Champs]]' "Aussie Jingle Bells", [[The Three Stooges]]' "Jingle Bell Drag", and [[Jeff Dunham]]'s "Jingle Bombs", performed in his "[[Achmed the Dead Terrorist]]" sketch. Another popular spoof of the song is "Pumpkin Bells", a "Pumpkin Carol" which celebrates [[Halloween]] and the "Great Pumpkin". It originated in ''The Peanuts Book of Pumpkin Carols'',<ref>''The Peanuts Book of Pumpkin Carols'', Ambassador Cards</ref> a booklet based on the ''[[Peanuts]]'' comic strip and published by [[Hallmark Cards]] in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book |last= Lind|first=Stephen |date=2015 |title=A Charlie Brown Religion |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |page=222 |isbn=978-1-4968-0468-6}}</ref> |
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==Recordings and performances== |
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{{see also|List of artists who have recorded "Jingle Bells"}} |
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The [[Australia]]n "Aussie Jingle Bells" written by [[Colin Buchanan (musician)|Colin Buchanan]], broadly translates the idea of the original song to the summertime Christmas of the [[Southern hemisphere]], making reference to a [[Holden]] [[Ute (vehicle)|ute]] and [[Australian Kelpie|Kelpie]]. |
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James Lord Pierpont's 1857 composition "Jingle Bells" became one of the most performed and most recognizable secular holiday songs ever written, not only in the United States, but around the world. In recognition of this achievement, James Lord Pierpont was voted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]. |
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[[File:Jingle Bells refrain vector.svg|thumb|right|400px|[[Musical notation]] for the chorus of "Jingle Bells" [[File:Jingle Bells refrain vector.mid|thumb|Play]]]] |
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"Jingle Bells" was first recorded by the Edison Male Quartette in 1898 on an [[Edison cylinder]] as part of a Christmas medley entitled "Sleigh Ride Party". In 1902, the Hayden Quartet recorded "Jingle Bells". |
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"[[Jingle Bell Rock]]" by [[Bobby Helms]] pays homage to "Jingle Bells", directly referencing the source song's lyrics, but with a different melody. Originally recorded and released by Helms in a [[rockabilly]] style, "Jingle Bell Rock" has itself since become a Christmas standard.<ref>{{cite book |title=Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas |url=https://archive.org/details/storiesbehindgre0000coll |url-access=registration |last=Collins |first=Ace |year=2010 |publisher=Zondervan |pages=[https://archive.org/details/storiesbehindgre0000coll/page/101 101–103]|isbn=9780310327950 }}</ref> |
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In 1943, [[Bing Crosby]] and the [[Andrews Sisters]] recorded "Jingle Bells" as Decca 23281 which reached No. 19 on the charts and sold over a million copies. In 1941, [[Glenn Miller]] and His Orchestra with Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, Ernie Caceres and the Modernaires on vocals had a No. 5 hit with "Jingle Bells" on [[RCA Victor]], as Bluebird 11353. In 1935, [[Benny Goodman]] and His Orchestra reached No. 18 on the charts with their recording of "Jingle Bells". In 1951, [[Les Paul]] had a No. 10 hit with a [[Multitrack recording|multi-tracked]] version on guitar. In 2006, [[Kimberley Locke]] had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart with a recording of the song. |
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"Tintinabulations" is a novelty arrangement of the song for full orchestra by American Katherine W. Punwar.<ref name="Punwar"> "The Compostion" in J. S. Pierpont. ''Tintinabulations.'' Arranged by Katherine W. Punwar. San Diego: Neil A. Kjos Music Company, 1986. p. 2.</ref> It consists of 19th and 20th century stylistic variations of "Jingle Bells"<ref name="Punwar"/> and is sometimes performed by classical orchestras for their Christmas concerts.{{cn|date=December 2024}} |
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"Jingle Bells" has been performed and recorded by a wide variety of musical artists, including [[Louis Armstrong]], [[The Beatles]], [[The Chipmunks]], [[Judy Collins]], [[Nat King Cole]], [[Perry Como]], [[Plácido Domingo]], [[Duke Ellington]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Spike Jones]], [[Barry Manilow]], [[The Million Dollar Quartet]] (Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley), [[NSync]], [[Luciano Pavarotti]], [[Smokey Robinson and the Miracles]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Fats Waller]] and [[Yello]], among many others. |
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The first notes in the chorus have become a [[motif (music)|motif]] that has been inserted into recordings of other Christmas songs, most notably at the beginning and end of [[Bing Crosby]]'s "[[It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas]]"; a guitar passage at the end of [[Nat King Cole]]'s "[[The Christmas Song]]"; and [[Clarence Clemons]] performing a saxophone solo in the middle of [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Merry Christmas Baby]]". A piano is also heard playing these notes at the end of Springsteen's version of "[[Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town]]". A slow version of the chorus opening forms the conclusion of [[Stan Freberg]]'s 1957 "[[Green Christmas (Stan Freberg song)|Green Chri$tma$]]", interspersed with cash-register noises. [[Mariah Carey]] utilizes a bit of the melody in her song "[[When Christmas Comes]]". [[Joni Mitchell]]'s 1971 song "[[River (Joni Mitchell song)|River]]" begins with a melancholy version of the chorus on piano.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/12/07/how-thoroughly-depressing-joni-mitchell-song-became-blue-christmas-classic/|title=How a 'thoroughly depressing' Joni Mitchell song became a blue Christmas classic|last=du Lac|first=J. Freedom|date=December 7, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 15, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017041416/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2018/12/07/how-thoroughly-depressing-joni-mitchell-song-became-blue-christmas-classic/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 1955, Don Charles, from Copenhagen, Denmark, recorded [[The Singing Dogs|a novelty version with dogs barking]] to the melody of "Jingle Bells" as RCA 6344, and a version credited simply to "St. Nick" called "Jingle Bells (Laughing All the Way)" features someone laughing, rather than singing, the entire song. |
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==Charts== |
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[[File:Schirra and Stafford Suit-Up - GPN-2000-001478.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Wally Schirra]] and [[Thomas P. Stafford|Tom Stafford]] of [[Gemini VI]] (1965)]] |
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{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-2}} |
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=== |
===Frank Sinatra version=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
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"Jingle Bells" was the first song broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by [[Gemini 6]] astronauts [[Thomas Patten Stafford|Tom Stafford]] and [[Wally Schirra]]. While in space on December 16, 1965, they sent this report to [[Mission Control]]: "We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in [[polar orbit]]... I see a command module and eight smaller modules in front. The pilot of the command module is wearing a red suit...." The astronauts then produced a smuggled harmonica and sleigh bells and broadcast a rendition of "Jingle Bells."<ref name=Smithsonian2005>''[[Smithsonian Magazine]]''. December 2005. pp. 25.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The song from Outer Space|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqfIEQKnkJU|publisher=YouTube.com|date=2011-12-12}}</ref> The harmonica, shown to the press upon their return, was a [[Hohner]] "Little Lady", a tiny harmonica approximately one inch long, by 3/8 of an inch wide.<ref name=Smithsonian2005/> |
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|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells" |
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! scope="col"| Chart (2013–2024) |
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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
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! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2024-01-01|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date=January 1, 2024|access-date=December 29, 2023|archive-date=December 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229060245/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2024-01-01|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 37 |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Austria|25|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 22, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Wallonia|39|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Canada|34|artist=Frank Sinatra|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
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|- |
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! scope="row"| France ([[SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=52&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|access-date=January 2, 2024|archive-date=January 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102123059/https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=52&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 28 |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Germany|32|songid=71440|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 29, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|23|artist=Frank Sinatra|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
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|- |
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! scope="row"| Greece International ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103162214/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 3, 2024|title=Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 52/2023|publisher=[[IFPI Greece]]|access-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> |
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| 29 |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Ireland4|46|date=20231229|rowheader=true|access-date=December 29, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Italy|16|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 22, 2023}} |
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|- |
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! scope="row"| Lithuania ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s52-2/|title=2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=[[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]]|language=lt|date=December 29, 2023|access-date=January 4, 2024|archive-date=December 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229080146/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s52-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 38 |
|||
|- |
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{{single chart|Dutch100|84|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 22, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Portugal|43|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=January 29, 2024}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Slovakdigital2|70|year=2023|week=51+52|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Sweden|52|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 22, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Switzerland|25|artist=Frank Sinatra|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|UK|60|date=20240104|rowheader=true|access-date=December 30, 2023|refname=ukchart20231215}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Billboardhot100|16|artist=Frank Sinatra|rowheader=true|access-date=December 27, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Peter Alexander version=== |
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==Parodies and homages== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
Like many simple, catchy and popular melodies, "Jingle Bells" is often the subject of [[parody]]. "Jingle Bells, [[Batman]] Smells" has been a well-known parody since the mid-1960s,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Popular Song Reader: A Sampler of Well-Known Twentieth Century-Songs |first=William Emmett |last=Studwell |publisher=Psychology Press |year=1994 |pages=224}}</ref> with many variations on the lyrics.<ref>{{cite book |title=American Children's Folklore |last=Bronner |first=Simon J. |year=1988 |publisher=August House |pages=105}}</ref> [[Bart Simpson]] sings this version on ''[[The Simpsons]]'', the first time being on "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]".<ref name="Groening">{{cite video | people=Groening, Matt|date=2001|title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> [[The Joker]] himself also sings it in the ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' episode "[[Christmas with the Joker]]". In addition, comedian [[Phil Snyder]] recorded a full-length version of the song, adding new verses utilising other comic superheroes.<ref>{{cite web|year=2009|title='Jingle Bells Batman Smells' Christmas Song with New Verses by Phil Snyder|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud3xdj_RQ_A|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> This same parody was also done in an episode of ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' with the lyrics being changed to match the context of Mermaidman and Barnacleboy. |
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|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells (Schlittenfahrt)" |
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! scope="col"| Chart (1965) |
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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
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{{single chart|West Germany|38|songid=100050|artist=Peter Alexander|song=Jingle Bells (Schlittenfahrt)|year=1965|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Judge Dread version=== |
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Parodies or novelty versions of "Jingle Bells" have been recorded by many artists, and include [[Harry Stewart|Yogi Yorgesson]]'s "Yingle Bells," [[Da Yoopers]]' "Rusty Chevrolet," [[Colin Buchanan (entertainer)|Bucko]] and [[Greg Champion|Champs]]' "Aussie Jingle Bells", [[The Three Stooges]]' "Jingle Bell Drag" and [[Jeff Dunham]]'s "Jingle Bombs", performed in his "[[Achmed the Dead Terrorist]]" sketch. Another popular spoof of the song is "Pumpkin Bells", a "Pumpkin Carol" which celebrates [[Halloween]] and the "Great Pumpkin". It originated in the ''[[Peanuts (comic)|Peanuts]]'' series of TV specials. |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells/Hokey Cokey" |
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! scope="col"| Chart (1978) |
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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
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{{single chart|UK|64|date=19781217|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023|refname=ukchart19781217}} |
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|} |
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===Moustache version=== |
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"[[Jingle Bell Rock]]" by [[Bobby Helms]] pays homage to "Jingle Bells", directly referencing the source song's lyrics, but with a different melody. Originally recorded and released by Helms in a [[rockabilly]] style, "Jingle Bell Rock" has itself since become a Christmas standard.<ref>{{cite book |title=Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas |last=Collins |first=Ace |year=2010 |publisher=Zondervan |pages=101–103}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (1980) |
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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Flanders|23|artist=Moustache %5BBE%5D|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Hysterics version=== |
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In the [[Brian Setzer Orchestra]] version of the song, the first occurrence of "one-horse open sleigh" in the chorus is changed to "'57 Chevrolet", most likely to better suit the band's throwback [[rock 'n' roll]]/[[big band]] style. |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells (Laughing All the Way)" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (1981) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
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|- |
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{{single chart|UK|44|date=19811213|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023|refname=ukchar19811213}} |
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|} |
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===Confetti's version=== |
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The first notes in the chorus have also been recorded in other Christmas songs, most notably a guitar passage at the end of [[Nat King Cole]]'s "[[The Christmas Song]]" and [[Clarence Clemons]] performing a saxophone solo in the middle of [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Merry Christmas Baby]]"; a piano is also heard playing these notes at the end of Springsteen's version of "[[Santa Claus is Coming to Town]]". |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (1990) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Flanders|5|artist=Confetti's|song=Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|France|19|artist=Confetti's|song=Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Dutch100|91|artist=Confetti's|song=Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|} |
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===Yello version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (1995–2023) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Finland|7|artist=Yello|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
|||
! scope="row"| Poland ([[Polish music charts|Polish Airplay Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay|title=OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay|publisher=[[OLiS]]|language=pl|access-date=January 2, 2024|type=Select week 23.12.2023–29.12.2023.|archive-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123185634/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 54 |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Sweden|49|artist=Yello|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Switzerland|34|artist=Yello|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Johann K. version=== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2003) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
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{{single chart|Austria|11|artist=Johann K.|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Crazy Frog version=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells/U Can't Touch This" or "Jingle Bells/Last Christmas" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2005) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Australia|4|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Flanders|2|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Wallonia|3|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|France|5|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Dutch100|32|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Spain|1|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Sweden|10|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Jingle Bells / Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|UK|5|date=20051218|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023|refname=ukchar20051218}} |
|||
|} |
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{{col-2}} |
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===Kimberley Locke version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2006) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| US [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Adult Contemporary |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/2006-12-23/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924004547/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/2006-12-23/ |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 1 |
|||
|} |
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===Basshunter version=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2008) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Dutch100|31|artist=Basshunter|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
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{{single chart|Norway|9|artist=Basshunter|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
|||
{{single chart|Sweden|13|artist=Basshunter|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|UK|35|date=20081221|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023|refname=ukchar20081221}} |
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|} |
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===Glee Cast version=== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2010) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| [[Billboard Christmas Holiday charts|Holiday Digital Song Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Glee Cast Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/glee-cast/chart-history/XDT |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203083818/https://www.billboard.com/artist/glee-cast/chart-history/xdt/ }}</ref> |
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| 10 |
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|} |
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===Michael Bublé and the Puppini Sisters version=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2011–2024) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Australia|24|artist=Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|- |
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{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|134|artist=Michael Buble|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| Italy ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2023/52|title=Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52|publisher=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|language=it|access-date=December 30, 2023|archive-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318054616/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2023/52|url-status=live}}</ref> |
|||
| 16 |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Dutch100|56|artist=Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|New Zealand|26|artist=Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Sweden|56|artist=Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| UK Streaming Chart ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20150105/|title=Official Streaming Chart|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=December 29, 2023|archive-date=February 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203122908/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/streaming-chart/20150104/7510/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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| 77 |
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|} |
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===3js version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2014) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
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{{single chart|Flanders Tip|83|artist=3js|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|} |
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===Jim Reeves version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2015) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Sweden|92|artist=Jim Reeves|song=Jingle Bells|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
|||
|} |
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===Lauren Daigle version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2017) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Billboardchristianairplay|3|artist=Lauren Daigle|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023}} |
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|} |
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===Sam Ryder version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart position for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2022) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|UK|41|date=20221230|rowheader=true|access-date=December 26, 2023|refname=ukchar20221230}} |
|||
|} |
|||
===Meghan Trainor version=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart positions for "Jingle Bells" |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2023–2024) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|200|artist=Meghan Trainor|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|UK|48|date=20231229|rowheader=true|access-date=December 29, 2023|refname=ukchart20231229}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|78|artist=Meghan Trainor|rowheader=true|access-date=January 3, 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|25|artist=Meghan Trainor|rowheader=true|access-date=December 10, 2024|refname=MeghanAC}} |
|||
|} |
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{{col-end}} |
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==Certifications== |
|||
===Frank Sinatra version=== |
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{{Certification Table Top}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Jingle Bells|artist=Frank Sinatra|type=single|award=Silver|relyear=2005|certyear=2022|id=16071-823-1|access-date=January 6, 2023}} |
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{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}} |
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===Michael Bublé and the Puppini Sisters version=== |
|||
{{Certification Table Top}} |
|||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2014|certyear=2021|access-date=December 30, 2021}} |
|||
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Jingle Bells|artist=Michael Buble/Puppini Sisters|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2023|id=16071-5132-1|access-date=December 8, 2023}} |
|||
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}} |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
* [[List of Christmas carols]] |
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*[[Jingle bell]] (sleigh bell) |
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*[[Jingle Bell Rock]] |
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*[[Jingle Belle]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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;Notes |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category}} |
{{Commons category|Jingle Bells (song)}} |
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{{wikisource}} |
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* [http://www.allmusic.com/search/track/Jingle+Bells/order:default-asc Allmusic search showing over 5,500 artists have recorded this song] |
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{{sister project|project=Wikiversity|text=[[v:Sing free/Jingle Bells|Sing '''Jingle Bells''' to an electric piano on Wikiversity.]]}} |
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* [http://www.christmaslyrics.tv/jingle-bells Lyrics to "Jingle Bells"] |
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* [https://www.allmusic.com/search/songs/Jingle+Bells Search result for recordings], [[AllMusic]] |
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* [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=sm1820&fileName=sm2/sm1857/620000/620520/mussm620520.db&recNum=0&itemLink=r?ammem/mussm:@filreq(@field(NUMBER+@band(sm1857+620520))+@field(COLLID+sm1820))&linkText=0 An original arrangement of "The One Horse Open Sleigh" at The Library of Congress<!-- ''G.G.'' -->] |
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* [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=sm1820&fileName=sm2/sm1857/620000/620520/mussm620520.db Sheet music of "The One Horse Open Sleigh"] at the [[Library of Congress]] |
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* [http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/jinglebellssong.htm The Story of "Jingle Bells"] |
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* [http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/jinglebellssong.htm The Story of "Jingle Bells"] by Roger Lee Hall, New England Song Series No. 3 |
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* Free arrangements for [http://cantorion.org/music/13/Jingle+Bells piano] and [http://cantorion.org/music/49/Jingle+Bells voice] from Cantorion.org |
* Free arrangements for [http://cantorion.org/music/13/Jingle+Bells piano] and [http://cantorion.org/music/49/Jingle+Bells voice] from Cantorion.org |
||
* [http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm James Lord Pierpont]—discussion of the song's history |
* [http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/james_lord_pierpont.htm James Lord Pierpont]—discussion of the song's history, hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com |
||
* [http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/jingle_bells.htm Complete lyrics to "Jingle Bells"] |
* [http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/jingle_bells.htm Complete lyrics and further details to "Jingle Bells"], hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com |
||
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q65194759|title=Jingle Belles}}, 1941 film with [[Gloria Jean]] |
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* [http://users.cybercity.dk/~bse5560/dogs.html Story of the Singing Dogs] |
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* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293295/plotsummary Jingle Belles] |
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<!--spacing--> |
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{{authority control}} |
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{{Thanksgiving|state=collapsed}} |
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{{Christmas|state=collapsed}} |
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[[Category:1857 songs]] |
[[Category:1857 songs]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1850s neologisms]] |
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[[Category:1850s quotations]] |
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[[Category:American Christmas songs]] |
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[[Category:Blackface minstrel songs]] |
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[[Category:Quotations from music]] |
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[[Category:Compositions in G major]] |
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[[Category:Thanksgiving songs]] |
[[Category:Thanksgiving songs]] |
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[[Category:Thomas P. Stafford]] |
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[[Category:Wally Schirra]] |
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[[Category:Songs of the American Civil War]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:38, 19 December 2024
| "Jingle Bells" | |
|---|---|
 Title page of "The One Horse Open Sleigh" | |
| Song | |
| Language | English |
| Published | September 16, 1857, by Oliver Ditson & Co., Boston |
| Genre | Christmas |
| Composer(s) | James Lord Pierpont |
| Lyricist(s) | James Lord Pierpont |
| Originally titled as "The One Horse Open Sleigh" | |
"Jingle Bells" is one of the most commonly sung[1] Christmas songs in the world. It was written in 1850 by James Lord Pierpont at Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts. It was published under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh" in September 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a Sunday school choir for Thanksgiving, or as a drinking song.[2] Although it has no original connection to Christmas,[3] it became associated with winter and Christmas music in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of parlor song and college anthologies in the 1880s.[4] It was first recorded in 1889 on an Edison cylinder; this recording, believed to be the first Christmas record, is lost, but an 1898 recording - also from Edison Records - survives.[5]
History
[edit]Composition
[edit]
Musical notations of the original version
First half of the chorus
Second half of the chorus and other verses
James Lord Pierpont originally copyrighted the song with the name "The One Horse Open Sleigh" on September 16, 1857.[6] The songwriting credit given was "Song and Chorus written and composed by J. Pierpont." Possibly intended as a drinking song, it didn't become a Christmas song until decades after it was first performed. Pierpont dedicated the song to John P. Ordway, Esq., an organizer of a troupe called "Ordway's Aeolians".[7]
It is an unsettled question where and when Pierpont originally composed the song that would become known as "Jingle Bells". A plaque at 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square in Medford, Massachusetts, commemorates the "birthplace" of "Jingle Bells", and claims that Pierpont wrote the song there in 1850, at what was then the Simpson Tavern. Previous local history narratives claim the song was inspired by the town's popular sleigh races during the 19th century.[8]
The song was republished in 1859 by Oliver Ditson and Company, 277 Washington Street, Boston, with the new title "Jingle Bells; or, The One Horse Open Sleigh". Its sheet music cover featured a drawing of sleigh bells around the title.[9] Sleigh bells were strapped across the horse to make the jingle, jangle sound.[citation needed]
"Jingle Bells" was first performed on September 15, 1857, at Ordway Hall in Boston by blackface minstrel performer Johnny Pell.[10] The song was in the then-popular style or genre of "sleighing songs". Pierpont's lyrics are strikingly similar to lines from many other popular sleigh-riding songs of the time; researcher Kyna Hamill argued that this, along with his constant need for money, led him to compose and release the song solely as a financial enterprise: "Everything about the song is churned out and copied from other people and lines from other songs—there's nothing original about it."[4][10]
By the time the song was released and copyrighted, Pierpont had relocated to Savannah, Georgia, to serve as organist and music director of that city's Unitarian Church (now Unitarian Universalist), where his brother, Rev. John Pierpont Jr., served as minister. In August 1857, Pierpont married Eliza Jane Purse, daughter of the mayor of Savannah. Pierpont remained in Savannah and never returned north.[10][11]
The double meaning of "upsot" (an old variant of the past tense of "upset") was thought humorous, as a sleigh ride gave an unescorted couple a rare chance to be together, unchaperoned, in distant woods or fields, with all the opportunities that afforded.[10] This upset became the climactic component of a sleigh-ride outing within the sleigh narrative.[10]
Recordings and performances
[edit]James Lord Pierpont's 1857 composition "Jingle Bells" became one of the most performed and most recognizable secular holiday songs ever written, not only in the United States, but around the world. In recognition of this achievement, James Lord Pierpont was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
"Jingle Bells" was first recorded by banjoist Will Lyle on October 30, 1889 (attested A T E Wangemann Logbook, p. 114), on an Edison cylinder, but no surviving copies are known to exist.[5] The earliest surviving vocal recording was made by the Edison Male Quartette in 1898, also on an Edison cylinder (and 1898 Columbia brown wax 4090), as part of a 'Christmas' medley titled "Sleigh Ride Party".[5] In 1902, the Hayden Quartet recorded "Jingle Bells". The song became a Christmas favorite in the early twentieth century.[4]
In 1935, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra reached No. 18 on the charts with their Swing or big band recording of "Jingle Bells". In 1941, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, Ernie Caceres, and the Modernaires on vocals had a No. 5 hit on the Billboard pop singles chart with a big band arrangement of "Jingle Bells" on RCA Victor as Bluebird 11353-A. In 1943, Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded "Jingle Bells" as Decca 23281[12] which reached No. 19 on the charts[13] and sold over a million copies. In 1951, Les Paul had a No. 10 hit with a multi-tracked version on guitar. In 2001, House of Mouse version, sung by Wayne Allwine, Russi Taylor, and Bill Farmer. In 2006, Kimberley Locke had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart with a recording of the song.[citation needed]
First song in space
[edit]"Jingle Bells" was one of the first songs to broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra. While in space on December 16, 1965, they sent this report to Mission Control:
C6: Gemini VII, this is Gemini VI. We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in a polar orbit. He's in a very low trajectory traveling from north to south and has a very high climbing ratio. It looks like it might even be a ... Very low. Looks like he might be going to reenter soon. Stand by one ... You might just let me try to pick up that thing. (Music – Jingle Bells – from Spacecraft VI) P7: We got the tune, VI. C6: That was live, VII, not tape. CC: You're too much, VI.[14]
The astronauts then produced a smuggled harmonica and sleigh bells, and with Schirra on the harmonica and Stafford on the bells, broadcast a rendition of "Jingle Bells".[15][16] The harmonica, shown to the press upon their return, was a Hohner "Little Lady", a tiny harmonica approximately one inch (2.5 cm) long, by 3⁄8 of an inch (0.95 cm) wide.[15]
Lyrics
[edit]Music historian James Fuld notes that (as opposed to an adjective), "the word jingle in the title and opening phrase is apparently an imperative verb."[17] In the winter in New England in pre-automobile days, it was common to adorn horses' harnesses with straps bearing bells as a way to avoid collisions at blind intersections, since a horse-drawn sleigh in snow produces almost no audible noise. The rhythm of the tune apparently mimics that of a trotting horse's bells; however, "jingle bells" is commonly interpreted to mean a certain kind of bell.
Jingle Bells
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!
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.
Although less well-known than the opening, the remaining verses depict high-speed youthful fun. In the second verse, the narrator takes a ride with a girl and loses control of the 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.[a]
|: chorus :|
In the next verse (which is often skipped), he falls out of the sleigh and a rival laughs at him:
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. Ah!
|: chorus :|
In the last verse, after relating his experience, he gives advice to a friend to pick up some girls, find a faster horse, and take off at full speed:
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[b]
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And snap! You'll take the lead.
|: chorus :|
Notes to lyrics
- ^ "Upsot" is an archaic or dialectic variant of the past tense of "upset", which allows the line to rhyme with "lot".
- ^ Two forty refers to a mile in two minutes and forty seconds at the trot, or 22.5 miles per hour (36.2 km/h). This is a good speed, and suggests the desired horse of that era was a type later known as a Standardbred.
Original lyrics
[edit]The two first stanzas and chorus of the original 1857 lyrics differed slightly from those known today. It is unknown who replaced the words with those of the modern version.[17] Underlined lyrics are the removed lyrics from the original version. Bold lyrics are the new lyrics in the current version.
Dashing thro' the snow,
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O'er the hills (fields) we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
Oh what sport (What fun it is) to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.
|: chorus :|
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what joy (fun) it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
A day or two ago
I tho't I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And we— (then) we got upsot.
Melody
[edit]
The original 1857 version of "Jingle Bells" featured a substantially different chorus. The progression of descending chords in the original refrain (A♭–E♭/G–Fm–C–D♭–A♭/E♭–E♭7–A♭; in Roman numeral analysis, I–V6–vi–V/vi–IV–I6
4–V7–I) bears some resemblance to that of Pachelbel's Canon. The verses, on the other hand, have mostly the same melody (with some minor simplifications) in modern renditions as they did in 1857. The origin of the simpler, modern refrain is unknown, but it dates back at least 1898, when the oldest surviving phonograph recording of the song was released through Edison Records.
The "Jingle Bells" tune is used in French and German songs, although the lyrics are unrelated to the English lyrics. Both songs celebrate winter fun, as in the English version. The French song, titled "Vive le vent" ("Long Live the Wind"), was written by Francis Blanche[18][19] and contains references to Father Time, Baby New Year, and New Year's Day. There are several German versions of "Jingle Bells", including Roy Black's "Ein kleiner weißer Schneemann".[20]
Parodies and homages
[edit]| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Results from a survey of over 64,000 people for most common variations of the parody. | |
 I Asked 64,182 People About “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells”. Here's What I Found Out. Tom Scott (presenter), June 2020 |
Like many simple, catchy, and popular melodies, "Jingle Bells" is often the subject of parody. "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" has been a well-known parody since the mid-1960s,[21] with many variations on the lyrics.[22] It has been referenced several times in official Batman media, notably appearing in the second episode of Batman: The Animated Series, "Christmas with the Joker". It also appears in the first episode of The Simpsons, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", which led the series to be misattributed with creating the parody.[23]
Parodies or novelty versions of "Jingle Bells" have been recorded by many artists, and include Yogi Yorgesson's "Yingle Bells", Da Yoopers' "Rusty Chevrolet",[24] Bucko and Champs' "Aussie Jingle Bells", The Three Stooges' "Jingle Bell Drag", and Jeff Dunham's "Jingle Bombs", performed in his "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" sketch. Another popular spoof of the song is "Pumpkin Bells", a "Pumpkin Carol" which celebrates Halloween and the "Great Pumpkin". It originated in The Peanuts Book of Pumpkin Carols,[25] a booklet based on the Peanuts comic strip and published by Hallmark Cards in the 1960s.[26]
The Australian "Aussie Jingle Bells" written by Colin Buchanan, broadly translates the idea of the original song to the summertime Christmas of the Southern hemisphere, making reference to a Holden ute and Kelpie.
"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms pays homage to "Jingle Bells", directly referencing the source song's lyrics, but with a different melody. Originally recorded and released by Helms in a rockabilly style, "Jingle Bell Rock" has itself since become a Christmas standard.[27]
"Tintinabulations" is a novelty arrangement of the song for full orchestra by American Katherine W. Punwar.[28] It consists of 19th and 20th century stylistic variations of "Jingle Bells"[28] and is sometimes performed by classical orchestras for their Christmas concerts.[citation needed]
The first notes in the chorus have become a motif that has been inserted into recordings of other Christmas songs, most notably at the beginning and end of Bing Crosby's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"; a guitar passage at the end of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song"; and Clarence Clemons performing a saxophone solo in the middle of Bruce Springsteen's "Merry Christmas Baby". A piano is also heard playing these notes at the end of Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town". A slow version of the chorus opening forms the conclusion of Stan Freberg's 1957 "Green Chri$tma$", interspersed with cash-register noises. Mariah Carey utilizes a bit of the melody in her song "When Christmas Comes". Joni Mitchell's 1971 song "River" begins with a melancholy version of the chorus on piano.[29]
Charts
[edit]
Frank Sinatra version[edit]
Peter Alexander version[edit]
Judge Dread version[edit]
Moustache version[edit]
Hysterics version[edit]
Confetti's version[edit]
Yello version[edit]
Johann K. version[edit]
Crazy Frog version[edit]
|
Kimberley Locke version[edit]
Basshunter version[edit]
Glee Cast version[edit]
Michael Bublé and the Puppini Sisters version[edit]
3js version[edit]
Jim Reeves version[edit]
Lauren Daigle version[edit]
Sam Ryder version[edit]
Meghan Trainor version[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Frank Sinatra version
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[90] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Michael Bublé and the Puppini Sisters version
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[91] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[92] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Collins, Ace. Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas Archived January 16, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Zondervan, 2004. ISBN 0310264480. p. 104.
- ^ "A Thanksgiving Carol". snopes.com. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ Doyle, Steven (September 16, 2017). "This day in history: Sept. 16, 1857". Greensboro News & Record. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
- ^ a b c Brown, Joel (December 8, 2016). "History of Jingle Bells". BU Today. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Voices of Christmas Past". dawnofsound.com. December 2, 2008. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ Pierpont, J. (September 16, 1857). "One Horse Open Sleigh". Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
- ^ Staff (2014, updated 2022) "10 Unusual Facts About James Lord Pierpont" Archived March 27, 2023, at the Wayback Machine New England Historical Society
- ^ Wilcox, Kris (December 15, 2014). "James Lord Pierpont and the mystery of 'Jingle Bells'". UU World. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ^ "Jingle Bells. Johns Hopkins. Sheridan Libraries and University Museums. The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection. Retrieved 16 December 2021". Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Hamill, Kyna (September 2017). "'The story I must tell': 'Jingle Bells' in the Minstrel Repertoire". Theatre Survey. 58 (3): 375–403. doi:10.1017/S0040557417000291. ISSN 0040-5574.
- ^ "James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) Author of 'Jingle Bells'" Archived December 31, 2020, at the Wayback Machine on the Hymns and Carols of Christmas website
- ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 113. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ "Gemini VI Voice Communications" (PDF). NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2020. p. 116, timestamp 23:57:30.
- ^ a b Edwards, Owen (December 2005). "The Day Two Astronauts Said They Saw a UFO Wearing a Red Suit". Smithsonian Magazine. p. 25. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
- ^ Mitchinson, John; Lloyd, John; Andrew Hunter Murray; Harkin, James (September 23, 2015). The QI Third Book of General Ignorance. London, England: Faber & Faber. p. 90. ISBN 9780571308989.
- ^ a b Fuld, James J. (2012) The Book of World-Famous Music (Fifth Edition) New York: Dover Publications, p. 313. ISBN 9780486414751
- ^ "Vive le vent (French chorus and literal English translation)". About.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
- ^ "Vive le vent (with verses and augmented refrain)". Paroles.net. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
- ^ "Roy Black's version of "Jingle Bells in German" (German lyrics and literal English translation)". About.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2006.
- ^ Crawford, Bill (January 3, 1967). "bill crawford". The Lawton Constitution.
- ^ Bronner, Simon J. (1988). American Children's Folklore. August House. p. 105.
- ^ Groening, Matt (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire' (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
- ^ Tom Berger (December 24, 1986). "Come and say, yah hey: 'Rusty Chevrolet' rolls into holiday hit". Wausau Daily Herald. pp. 1A. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- ^ The Peanuts Book of Pumpkin Carols, Ambassador Cards
- ^ Lind, Stephen (2015). A Charlie Brown Religion. University Press of Mississippi. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-4968-0468-6.
- ^ Collins, Ace (2010). Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas. Zondervan. pp. 101–103. ISBN 9780310327950.
- ^ a b "The Compostion" in J. S. Pierpont. Tintinabulations. Arranged by Katherine W. Punwar. San Diego: Neil A. Kjos Music Company, 1986. p. 2.
- ^ du Lac, J. Freedom (December 7, 2018). "How a 'thoroughly depressing' Joni Mitchell song became a blue Christmas classic". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 52/2023". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "2023 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51+52. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Sinatra Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Peter Alexander – Jingle Bells (Schlittenfahrt)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 26, 2023. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Peter Alexander"
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Moustache %5BBE%5D – Jingle Bells" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Confetti's – Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Confetti's – Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Confetti's – Circling Stars (Jingle Bells)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Yello: Jingle Bells" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 23.12.2023–29.12.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Yello – Jingle Bells". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Yello – Jingle Bells". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Johann K. – Jingle Bells" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Crazy Frog – Jingle Bells / Last Christmas". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Basshunter – Jingle Bells" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Basshunter – Jingle Bells". VG-lista. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Basshunter – Jingle Bells". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Glee Cast Chart History (Holiday Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters – Jingle Bells". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 52" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters – Jingle Bells" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters – Jingle Bells". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Michael Bublé feat. The Puppini Sisters – Jingle Bells". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Streaming Chart". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "3js – Jingle Bells" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Jim Reeves – Jingle Bells". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Lauren Daigle Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Frank Sinatra – Jingle Bells". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 30, 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – Michael Buble/Puppini Sisters – Jingle Bells". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jingle Bells (song).
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
- Search result for recordings, AllMusic
- Sheet music of "The One Horse Open Sleigh" at the Library of Congress
- The Story of "Jingle Bells" by Roger Lee Hall, New England Song Series No. 3
- Free arrangements for piano and voice from Cantorion.org
- James Lord Pierpont—discussion of the song's history, hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com
- Complete lyrics and further details to "Jingle Bells", hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com
- Jingle Belles at IMDb , 1941 film with Gloria Jean
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