"Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song?" Why is that question as "Jingle Bells" is widely known as a Christmas song? From the lyrics to the spirit it brings, it's all about Christmas. The fact about this classic song may astonish you. Turn out it was originally composed to celebrate Thanksgiving! Without more ado, let's jump into this post to find out the answer to "Was Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song?"
What popular Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving?
But before we get into the specifics of Which president made Thanksgiving a national holiday, let's define what Thanksgiving is.
When do we celebrate Thanksgiving, and why?
To that end, the Thanksgiving holiday ranks high among the year's most significant celebrations. Even though it is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, this holiday is not associated with a specific date. Because of this, everyone is anticipating it even more than usual (in comparison to past ceremonies).
Our minds automatically picture Thanksgiving tables laden with a large roasted turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and other traditional dishes when the holiday is mentioned. But the day's true significance goes far beyond eating. It is widely held that the purpose of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for the blessing of a bountiful harvest, which includes healthy crops and sunny weather.
Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song?
The tune, supposedly written by James Lord Pierpont in 1850, supposedly made its debut in Medford, Massachusetts. As a native son, Pierpont felt compelled to create a piece in honor of the town's Thanksgiving sleigh races. Some historians have questioned that year because by then Pierpont was already living in Savannah, Georgia. Nevertheless, in the center of Medford, a plaque recognizes Pierpont's contribution to music.
While in search of “What Christmas song was written for Thanksgiving”, we found that the song was first sung at a Thanksgiving Church service. If we notice more of the lyrics of the song, we may realize the true spirit of the song. It's just about a cheerful ride on a sleigh with a bright and festive vibe. One more thing we can be sure of is that this song was published in the late summer, so there was nothing to do with the Christmas atmosphere here.
It was not after decades since its first performance in September 1857 on Washington street, and because of snow and winter-relating elements, did it become a Christmas staple until now.
For those who are in search of "Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song" or "What Christmas song was actually written for Thanksgiving", you must be curious about the original version of it. Here it is:
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring
Making spirits bright
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.
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.
Now the ground is white
Go it while you’re young,
Take the girls tonight
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.
Fun facts about “Jingle Bells” that are lesser-known
1. Its original name was not "Jingle bells" but "One Horse Open Sleigh"
The familiar title that we know now was introduced to the public in the second issue after two years after its first debut.
2. "Jingle Bells" was the very first song that was telecasted outer space
While finding the answer to "Was Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song?", it surprises us that "Jingle Bells" was the first song to be performed in the space.
At that time, the two astronauts Tom Stafford and Walter Schirra in Gemini 6 had just completed a rendezvous with Gemini 7 abroad nine days before Christmas in 1965 when the crew abruptly gave a concerning report to Mission Control.
The suspenseful report of the mysterious flying object was abruptly interrupted by the sound of "Jingle Bells," played on a miniature harmonica by "Wally" Schirra, joined by Tom Stafford rattling a few small sleigh bells they had carried along for the space adventure.
3. Two cities claim the song's origin
During our research for “Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song”, we also find another interesting fact, which is there are two cities that identify “Jingle Bells”’s origin.
A historical plaque in Medford, Massachusetts, claims Pierpont created his renowned melody in 1850, one year after his father took the helm of a local Unitarian church. Pierpont probably wouldn't have delayed seven years to publish the song, since he was still in California hunting gold at the time, according to Boston University professor Kyna Hamill. In 1985, Savannah placed a historical monument across from the Unitarian church where Pierpont was the artistic director when the song was released.
Pierpont was also said to have penned the song in 1857 while staying in a Boston rooming house, according to Hamill. Pierpont wrote the song about snowy sleigh rides and races in Massachusetts, not Georgia.
The bottom line
We have a lot of fun while doing research to find the answer to the question “Is Jingle Bells a Thanksgiving song”. We do hope you will find this post helpful which brings you valuable information regarding the best-loved “Jingle Bells” song. As Thanksgiving is just around the corner, Printerval is pleased to introduce you to the latest Thanksgiving-inspired goods here.
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