Jingle Bells Original

Jingle Bells began life far from the fireplace: American songwriter James Lord Pierpont published it in 1857 as The One Horse Open Sleigh, a lively ode to sleigh racing that was originally sung at Thanksgiving. It has since become one of the most recognized Christmas songs in the world — and, famously, the first song ever broadcast from space, played by the Gemini 6 astronauts in 1965.

This original version stays close to that traditional feel, and our Love to Sing choir gives it a bright, sing-along sparkle so everyone picks up every line in no time. It's a joyful pick for Christmas concerts, nativity plays, classroom music lessons and singing along at home.

Love this one? Explore more popular Christmas songs, or hear the standard Jingle Bells and the swinging Jingle Bells Jazz.