Jingle Bells: The Story Behind the Song

Countdown to Christmas with Christmas Carol Trivia: #1 Jingle Bells

Many of us grew up singing "Jingle Bells" every December. Where did the song come from? Do we know who wrote it or is it an anonymous "public domain" song? Here are a few little-known facts about this famous tune:

• Written in the 1850’s by James Pierpont, who was the uncle of J. P. Morgan, the famous banker. J. P. Morgan's full name is James Pierpont Morgan.


• Originally titled “One-Horse Open Sleigh”


• Earliest known recording: 1898 by the Edison Male Quartette


• Never mentions the word Christmas or anything, other than winter activities, that is related to Christmas.


• The melody to the chorus as originally published sounded more classical than the commonly accepted melody today. It is not known when the melody was changed or who made the changes.

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12 Days until Christmas!