One of the cherished tunes that fills the air during the Christmas season originated not as a holiday anthem but as a humorous ditty performed in minstrel shows in the 1850s. “Jingle Bells” is among the most popular American songs of all time. Although it is strongly associated with Christmas, this story of a wintertime sleigh ride contains not a single holiday reference. Originally titled ‘The One Horse Open Sleigh’, the song was written by Medford, Massachusetts resident James Pierpont in 1850.  Inspired by the lively one-horse open-sleigh races between Medford Square and Malden Square, Pierpont penned the spirited song at Simpson’s Tavern, the sole establishment in town with a piano.  Two years after its initial publication, the song’s title evolved into ‘Jingle Bells, or The One Horse Open Sleigh.’

Born in 1822 in Medford, Massachusetts, James Lord Pierpont led an unconventional life. From his strict New England Unitarian family, opposed to slavery, he ventured southward and served as an organist in a Savannah, Georgia church. ‘At the beginning of the Civil War, Pierpont joined the Isle of Hope Volunteers of the First Georgia Cavalry (later the Fifth Georgia Cavalry) of the Confederacy. Records indicate that he served as a company clerk. He also wrote music for the Confederacy, including “Our Battle Flag”, “Strike for the South” and “We Conquer or Die.”  

The song’s origin remains disputed, with both Medford, Massachusetts, and Savannah, Georgia, claiming its birthright. However, the snowy backdrop of Medford seems a more plausible setting than the warmer climate of Savannah.  Initially, ‘Jingle Bells’ did not capture widespread attention upon its 1857 release. Its ascent to holiday stardom took years, propelled by the advent of phonograph records and later radio broadcasts, granting it a nationwide audience.

The original lyrics to “The One Horse Open Sleigh” as written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 are as follows:

Jingle Bells, Or The One Horse Open Sleigh

Dashing thro’ the snow,
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O’er the hills we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
Oh what sport to ride and sing
A sleighing song to night.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what joy it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, Jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what joy it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago,
I thought 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, we got upsot.

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.

Now the ground is white
Go it while you’re young,
Take the girls to night
And sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob tailed bay
Two forty as his speed.
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack, you’ll take the lead.