No doubt we're all familiar with the song, Jingle Bells. Think of the tune. We all know it. Or, we think we do.

But the tune we know by heart was not the original orchestration (as written and published by J. Pierpont in 1857).

Some years ago, the Roger DeCormier singers (who've done lots of contemporary music) recorded an album of original Christmas orchestrations from the Victorian era, which included songs often performed with only a few instruments and perhaps in one's parlor to entertain guests. One such song was Jingle Bells, which was first known as The One Horse Open Sleigh.

Some radio stations (including the classical station WMFT) have played this version from time to time during the holidays. Note the difference in the melody of that original tune from today's better-known version. To me, the original tune sounds better, and, has a middle verse seldom heard today.

 

Trivia test.....What was the horse's name in Jingle Bells?

Many insist that the horse's name was "Bobtail," but the song is about going sleighing. The sleighs are pulled by horses wearing sleigh bells. (Actually, by one horse. That's what makes it a 'one horse, open sleigh.) It was the fashion at the time to 'bob' the tails of the horses - that is, cut them short. The line actually reads "Bells on bob tails ring'. Thankfully, people realized that bobbing tails was cruel, because horses need their tails to swish flies, and they stopped doing it.

"Bells on bob tails ring'  If this is the line then the bells were placed on the horse's bobbed tail??  I always pictured them on a strap over the horse's shoulders.

 

And it finally came to this.. I'm glad I don't have many years left...........

 

Jingle around the clock, Doug! 🎅🏻  Could be worse:

"Dingleballs, Dingleballs....roll all over the floor"

"Oh, what fun it is to ride.....I'll leave the rest to your imagination!

5 hours ago, charliearon said:

"Bells on bob tails ring'  If this is the line then the bells were placed on the horse's bobbed tail??  I always pictured them on a strap over the horse's shoulders.

No, of course not. "bob tails" are referring to the horse with a bobbed tail, wearing bells on its collar! Silly boy! 🤣

Kind of like Deck The Halls...Let's go see your sister Molly. Fa la la la la la.la la la. She will make your Christmas jolly....I'll leave the rest to your imagination!

Edited December 19, 20214 yr by W2DR

7 hours ago, n4gix said:

No doubt we're all familiar with the song, Jingle Bells. Think of the tune. We all know it. Or, we think we do.

But the tune we know by heart was not the original orchestration (as written and published by J. Pierpont in 1857).

 

 

The main melody sounds pretty much the same, but the “Jingle Bells” chorus is quite a bit different. I like it!

I sorta like! Definitely no Auto-Tuned voices there!

The horse was lean and lank.

Misfortune seemed his lot.

He got into a drifted bank.

And we, we got upsot!

Sorry kids, no more Christmas presents for you  today! 😩

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Batman smells, Robins turning fast, etc, etc 

6 hours ago, Freo said:

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Batman smells, Robins turning fast, etc, etc 

Always thought it was....Robin laid an egg!

 

 

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by W2DR

Easy to play. The first 7 are all the same notes!