"Jingle Bells" is the first Christmas song we learn.

December 24, 2001 2:08 PM

"Jingle Bells" is the first Christmas song we learn. It's the Christmas song no one ever forgets. But when "Jingle Bells" was written in the 1850s by Boston native James Lord Pierpont, it was not a Christmas song. It had nothing to do with the holidays. "Jingle Bells" was what you might call pre-Civil War rock 'n' roll. In its seldom-heard original form, it's about having a flashy vehicle, driving it too fast and using it to pick up girls. (by Larry Katz, Boston Herald--via Fark.com)
posted by Carol Anne (3 comments total)

And like there's a better reason to sing. Frankly, the whole more base original is almost more American. Sort of a holiday "Little Deuce Coupe".
posted by shagoth at 2:40 PM on December 24, 2001

Now that's what musicology is all about!
posted by ilsa at 4:16 PM on December 24, 2001

As usual, the truth is better than the legend!
posted by Wildcat3 at 5:32 PM on December 24, 2001