Jingle Bells was originally titled The One Horse Open Sleigh. James Lord Pierpont (1822-1893), an American composer, songwriter, and organist born in New England, wrote the melody and lyrics in 1857.

The One Horse Open Sleigh was meant for a Thanksgiving program at a church in Savannah, Georgia where Pierpont was an organist. The song was so well accepted that it was again sung on Christmas day and since then it became one of the most popular Christmas carols.

There are some lyrical difference between the original The One Horse Open Sleigh and the Jingle Bells we know today. It is speculated that the lyrics had to be changed because they were considered too racy at the time to be performed by children's church choirs.

Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh.
O'er the fields we go laughing all the way.
Bells on bobtail ring making spirits bright.
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.