For many people, the lyrics to Jingle Bells are a mystery. Even the most popular Christmas songs have obscure origins and meanings. Jingle Bells is one of these songs. The song is not originally from America, where it is the most popular, but was written in England by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 originally meant for Thanksgiving celebrations that year. Little did he know, he had started something he couldn't stop.

The song was first published in 1857 under the name One Horse Open Sleigh. However, it wasn't until a year later when it began to be sung as a Christmas carol. The lyrics have been changed over the years, but the melody has remained relatively unchanged.

Check out the lyrics to Jingle Bells below:

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob-tails 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

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight
Sing this sleighing song
Get a bobtailed bay
Two forty for his speed
And hitch him to an open sleigh
And you will take the lead

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
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In one horse open sleigh

Check out our Jingle Bells lyric video below. Did you know it has over 100 million views on YouTube!



The lyrics to Jingle Bells are pretty simple and catchy. They are about a person who is riding in a sleigh and enjoying themselves. The song is light-hearted and fun, perfect for Christmas. It's no wonder it is so popular!