The History of Jingle Bells
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Posted by John Crandall Dec 5, 2006 |
Archaeologists have found horse bells in England dating back to time of the Roman Empire. Single bells (usually of gold or silver) called "crotals" were mounted on Knight's warhorses in Medieval times for show and as a symbol of wealth. Horse bells came to be viewed as a source of good luck and as protection from evil and disease. Many people believed that such bells would attract wealth or other good fortune.
As time went on horse bells became regular ornaments for wagons or sleighs travelling in the country for both sentimental and practical reasons. The old myths of the bells attracting good fortune aided their popularity, but their practical use was as a warning to pedestrians and other drivers on narrow roadways. Sleighs are more difficult to stop than wagons, and in some places laws were enacted mandating that all sleighs have bells. Such laws are still on the books in some places in Canada.
In the early 1800's a thriving sleigh bell industry arose in East Hampton Connecticut. The bells produced here were sold throughout America and were very popular in the Northeast. In Medford, Massachusetts sleigh races became a popular winter entertainment. The spectacle of jingling bells and horses straining for speed over the snow inspired lively spectators and sometimes wagers. They also inspired a visitor from Savannah, Georgia, James Pierpont, who penned the song we would come to know as "Jingle Bells", although he called it "One Horse Open Sleigh". He first wrote the song in the early 1850's, and it captures a youthful spirit of joy with a hint of young love. After returning to Savannah and becoming a church choir director he used the song in a youth program, and had it published in 1857.
"Jingle Bells" was instantly popular and became a Chritmas mainstay throughout America. It has also been translated into many languauges and is a popular winter song worldwide.