Song facts
- Original key
- G major
- Type
- Christmas carol
- Music
- James Lord Pierpont (died 1893)
- Original lyrics
- James Lord Pierpont (died 1893)
- First published
- 1857
Public-domain songs · Christmas carol instrumental
Jingle Bells
Play the Jingle Bells instrumental in the original key of G major, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is G major. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (E major)
2 semitones lower (F major)
Original key (G major)
2 semitones higher (A major)
About this song
Boston-born James Lord Pierpont, an uncle of the financier J. P. Morgan, saw Oliver Ditson publish this song as The One Horse Open Sleigh in 1857; the Jingle Bells title arrived with an 1859 reissue. Where and when he wrote it is still argued, with Medford and Boston both claimed. His first refrain was more elaborate than the one sung now, which is traceable to an 1898 Edison recording. In 1965 the Gemini 6 crew played it in orbit. A 1918 American songbook sets it in G major.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1857). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
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