The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas: The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas by David McLaughlan Read Free Book Online
Authors: David McLaughlan
Bells”
Who?
James Lord Pierpont, son of a pastor and uncle of the banker J. P. Morgan, wrote “Jingle Bells.” At age fourteen he ran away to sea, returning nine years later. Pierpont later moved across the country, leaving his wife and children with his parents, to take advantage of business opportunities caused by the California Gold Rush.
His business failed, and he returned home, eventually accepting a position as church organist in Savannah, Georgia, in the church where his brother was pastor. This position allowed the musical side of his personality to flourish.
Several of his compositions were performed professionally in his lifetime, and Bob Dylan based his song “Nettie Moore” on Pierpont’s “Gentle Nettie Moore.”
What?
“Jingle Bells,” or “One Horse Open Sleigh,” as it was originally called, is one of the most recognizable of all Christmas carols. It has no religious content, but its joyful imagery and catchy chorus make it a favorite with all ages.
Jingle bells aren’t actually a particular type of bell. The phrase is an encouragement to jingle the bells on the horses’ harnesses with some exuberant sleigh driving.
The song tells of a young man collecting a young woman in his sleigh, but he drives too fast and tips them both out of it. Undeterred, he decides to keep the fun going by doing it all over again another night.
Where?
“One Horse Open Sleigh” was written not in a sleigh nor in a tavern, as popular legends have it. Pierpont was friendly with the owner of a boardinghouse and visited there to play the piano. Hearing him try out a new tune, the boardinghouse owner, Mrs. Waterman, praised his composition and encouraged him to put words to it. Mrs. Waterman’s boardinghouse later became a tavern, giving rise to the idea that Pierpont, the son of a minister, wrote songs in a drinking den.
The boardinghouse was in Medford, Massachusetts. The town is rightly proud of the connection and commemorates it with a plaque.
When?
According to the commemoration plaque in Medford, “One Horse Open Sleigh” was written in 1850, around the time Pierpont would have been considering his move to California. It wasn’t published until seven years later while Pierpont was giving music lessons and playing the organ at his brother’s church. Two years later the piece was rereleased with the new title “Jingle Bells or the One Horse Open Sleigh.”
Just before Christmas in 1965 the astronauts aboard Gemini 6 reported seeing a fast-moving object, driven by a man in red. Then they gave Mission Control a rendition of “Jingle Bells”!
Why?
Despite being a Christmas favorite, “Jingle Bells” was actually a Thanksgiving song. The only connection with Christmas is the idea of riding in a sleigh. Of course, Santa rides a sleigh, but his is pulled by reindeer, not horses.
Historians in Medford, Massachusetts, suggest Pierpont was inspired by Thanksgiving sleigh races held every year in the town. Young men driving “cutters,” or single-horse sleighs, would race through the snow from Medford town square to the center of nearby Malden. It was an exciting event, and the drivers would have been popular among the young women of both towns. Pierpont’s composition wonderfully describes the thrill and joy of it all.
21
“Joy to the World”
Who?
While he didn’t compose “Joy to the World,” the man who inspired it may actually have been King David! And Isaac Watts based his song on Psalm 98.
Watts, who wrote around 750 hymns, is often referred to as the father of English hymnody.
The music was composed by Lowell Mason, who also came up with the tune to “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Mason composed over sixteen hundred hymn tunes.
“Joy to the World” has been recorded by many choirs and artists over the years, including Andy Williams, the Supremes, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston.
What?
Isaac Watts, a
Who?
James Lord Pierpont, son of a pastor and uncle of the banker J. P. Morgan, wrote “Jingle Bells.” At age fourteen he ran away to sea, returning nine years later. Pierpont later moved across the country, leaving his wife and children with his parents, to take advantage of business opportunities caused by the California Gold Rush.
His business failed, and he returned home, eventually accepting a position as church organist in Savannah, Georgia, in the church where his brother was pastor. This position allowed the musical side of his personality to flourish.
Several of his compositions were performed professionally in his lifetime, and Bob Dylan based his song “Nettie Moore” on Pierpont’s “Gentle Nettie Moore.”
What?
“Jingle Bells,” or “One Horse Open Sleigh,” as it was originally called, is one of the most recognizable of all Christmas carols. It has no religious content, but its joyful imagery and catchy chorus make it a favorite with all ages.
Jingle bells aren’t actually a particular type of bell. The phrase is an encouragement to jingle the bells on the horses’ harnesses with some exuberant sleigh driving.
The song tells of a young man collecting a young woman in his sleigh, but he drives too fast and tips them both out of it. Undeterred, he decides to keep the fun going by doing it all over again another night.
Where?
“One Horse Open Sleigh” was written not in a sleigh nor in a tavern, as popular legends have it. Pierpont was friendly with the owner of a boardinghouse and visited there to play the piano. Hearing him try out a new tune, the boardinghouse owner, Mrs. Waterman, praised his composition and encouraged him to put words to it. Mrs. Waterman’s boardinghouse later became a tavern, giving rise to the idea that Pierpont, the son of a minister, wrote songs in a drinking den.
The boardinghouse was in Medford, Massachusetts. The town is rightly proud of the connection and commemorates it with a plaque.
When?
According to the commemoration plaque in Medford, “One Horse Open Sleigh” was written in 1850, around the time Pierpont would have been considering his move to California. It wasn’t published until seven years later while Pierpont was giving music lessons and playing the organ at his brother’s church. Two years later the piece was rereleased with the new title “Jingle Bells or the One Horse Open Sleigh.”
Just before Christmas in 1965 the astronauts aboard Gemini 6 reported seeing a fast-moving object, driven by a man in red. Then they gave Mission Control a rendition of “Jingle Bells”!
Why?
Despite being a Christmas favorite, “Jingle Bells” was actually a Thanksgiving song. The only connection with Christmas is the idea of riding in a sleigh. Of course, Santa rides a sleigh, but his is pulled by reindeer, not horses.
Historians in Medford, Massachusetts, suggest Pierpont was inspired by Thanksgiving sleigh races held every year in the town. Young men driving “cutters,” or single-horse sleighs, would race through the snow from Medford town square to the center of nearby Malden. It was an exciting event, and the drivers would have been popular among the young women of both towns. Pierpont’s composition wonderfully describes the thrill and joy of it all.
21
“Joy to the World”
Who?
While he didn’t compose “Joy to the World,” the man who inspired it may actually have been King David! And Isaac Watts based his song on Psalm 98.
Watts, who wrote around 750 hymns, is often referred to as the father of English hymnody.
The music was composed by Lowell Mason, who also came up with the tune to “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Mason composed over sixteen hundred hymn tunes.
“Joy to the World” has been recorded by many choirs and artists over the years, including Andy Williams, the Supremes, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston.
What?
Isaac Watts, a
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