The Timeless Legacy of “Jingle Bells”: From 1857 Origins to Global Holiday Classic
“Jingle Bells” is an American song and the world’s most commonly sung Christmas song. James Lord Pierpont wrote it in September 1857. We do not know where and when Pierpont originally composed the song that would become known as “Jingle Bells.” However, it was published under the title “The One Horse Open Sleigh.” Although “Jingle Bells” has no real original connection to Christmas, the song became associated with winter and Christmas in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of parlor songs and college anthologies in the 1880s. “Jingle Bells” was first recorded in 1889. The first recording survives. Do you plan on singing “Jingle Bells” this Christmas?
“Jingle Bells” Origin
James Lord Pierpont originally copyrighted the song with the name “The One Horse Open Sleigh” on September 16, 1857. That song became “Jingle Bells.” It was possibly intended as a drinking song, but it did not become a Christmas song until decades after its first performance.
A plaque at 19 High Street in the center of Medford Square in Medford, Massachusetts, commemorates the “birthplace” of “Jingle Bells,” and claims that the song was written there in 1850, at what was then the Simpson Tavern.
The song was republished in 1859 by Oliver Ditson and Company, 277 Washington Street, Boston, with the new title “Jingle Bells.” Its sheet music cover featured a drawing of sleigh bells around the title. Sleigh bells were strapped across the horse to make the jingle, jangle sound.
“Jingle Bells” was first performed on September 15, 1857, at Ordway Hall in Boston by blackface minstrel performer Johnny Pell. 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, suggesting he stole the song or, at least, was heavily influenced by the music of the time.
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; he died in 1893.
Famous Singers of “Jingle Bells”
James Lord Pierpont’s 1857 composition “Jingle Bells” became the most performed and most recognizable secular holiday song 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.
Lots of artists have sung the song, as you might imagine. Some of the most noteworthy singers of the song are Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, and both the Benny Goodman and Glen Miller and their orchestras. The Song was also broadcast from space by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra.
One of the noteworthy aspects of “Jingle Bells” is all the parodies of the song. “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” has been a well-known parody since the mid-1960s. 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.” The song 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.
Parodies or novelty versions of “Jingle Bells” have been recorded by many artists (just like the song itself), and include Yogi Yorgesson’s “Yingle Bells”, Da Yoopers’ “Rusty Chevrolet,” 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 Peanuts’ “Great Pumpkin.”
Conclusion
In 2027, “Jingle Bells” will probably celebrate its 170th anniversary. It is amazing that a song that is so old remains so popular, being sung and parodied by a host of artists. It should be pointed out that millions will sing this song in their homes this year.
