“Jingle Bells” Composed Here

 

 

By Roger W. Sinnott, December 24, 2011

1. “Jungle Bells” Composed Here Marker

Inscription. On this site stood the Simpson Tavern, where in 1850 James Pierpont (1822–1893) wrote the song “Jingle Bells” in the presence of Mrs. Otis Waterman, who later verified that the song was written here. Pierpont had the song copyrighted in 1857 while living in Georgia. “Jingle Bells” tells of the sleigh races held on Salem Street in the early 1800’s.
 
Erected 1988 by the Medford Historical Society. 
 
Location. 42° 25.107′ N, 71° 6.616′ W. Marker is in Medford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is on High Street (Massachusetts Route 60), on the right when traveling west.  Touch for map. The marker is in the first block from Medford Square. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 High Street, Medford MA 02155, United States of America. 
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain Isaac Hall Hitching Post (within shouting distance of this marker); “Grandfather’s House” 

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Royall House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mystic Congregational Church Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stearns Estate (approx. ¾ mile away); The Peter Tufts (Cradock) House(approx. one mile away); Powder House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Harris Delta(approx. 1.6 miles away).  Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medford.
 
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It is another “Jingle Bells” marker. There is more about the author there.
 
Also see . . .  Wikipedia entry. This article has many interesting comments on the lyrics and their meaning. (Submitted on December 24, 2011, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)  
 
Additional comments. 

By Roger W. Sinnott, December 24, 2011

2. Modern Store Front

Nothing remains of the Simpson Tavern.

1. Original 1857 Lyrics
From the Wikipedia entry.
Dashing through the snow 
In a one-horse open sleigh 
O'er the hills we go 
Laughing all the way. 
Bells on bobtail ring 
Making spirits bright 
Oh what sport to ride and sing 
A sleighing song tonight. 

(chorus) 
Jingle bells, jingle bells 
Jingle all the way! 
O what joy 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 Fannie Bright 
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank 
Misfortune seemed his lot 
He got into a drifted bank 
And we — we got upsot.

(chorus)

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. 

(chorus)

Now the ground is white 
Go it while you’re young 
Take the girls tonight 
And sing 

J. J. Prats Postcard Collection

3. A One-Horse Open Sleigh

Undated postcard titled “Jingle Bells." Plastichrome® No. P8612 by Colourpicture Publishers, Inc., Boston 15, Mass. U.S.A. “Color by Ozzie Sweet.”

this sleighing song. 
Just get a bobtailed bay 
Two forty is his speed 
Hitch him to an open sleigh 
And crack! You'll take the lead.

(chorus)

    — Submitted December 24, 2011. 

 
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