Jingle Bells | Christmas Carol Lyrics

from the MMF Songbook


History for 'Jingle Bells'

Jingle Bells, originally published as One Horse Open Sleigh, is one of the best known secular Christmas songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893) and copyrighted under its original title September 16, 1857.


Fun Facts for 'Jingle Bells'

Jingle Bells was the first song ever broadcast from outer space. As a prank, Gemini 6 astronauts sent the following message to Mission Control on December 16, 1965:

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".

Smithsonian Magazine, December 2005


Lyrics for 'Jingle Bells'

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on Bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing (or What fun it is to ride and sing)
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh, what fun 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 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.

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

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.

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

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

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


Parody for 'Jingle Bells'

Jingle Bells has also been the subject of several parodies, including this one that is almost universally known by children.

Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg;
Batmobile lost its wheel, And the Joker got away!


Browse Related Resources for ‘Jingle Bells‘

Piano Sheet Music

Jingle Bells for Beginner/Level 1 Piano Solo
Jingle Bells for Easy/Level 3 Piano Solo
Jingle Bells for Easy-Intermediate/Level 5 Piano Solo
A Charlie Brown Christmas Beginner & Easy Piano Lesson Book
"Jingle Bells" in MMF All-in-One Piano Beginner Lesson Book
Jingle Jazz | Five Christmas Favorites for Easy Jazz Piano Book
Jingle Bells Boogie for Easy/Level 2 Piano Solo

Guitar Sheet Music

Jingle Bells for Beginner Guitar Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Easy Guitar Solo

Guitar Chords

Jingle Bells Guitar Chords

Instrumental Sheet Music with Piano Accompaniment

Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Flute Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Oboe Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Clarinet Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Alto Saxophone Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Trumpet Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Trombone Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Violin Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Viola Solo
Jingle Bells Boogie for Beginner Cello Solo

Recorder Sheet Music

Jingle Bells for Soprano Recorder Solo

Harp Sheet Music

Jingle Bells for Harp Solo



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