When I was little, my parents never let us (there are four kids in the family) write a wish list for Santa, without first listing how we would give back to others. Even so, our wishes were mostly wishes. My favorite gift I received when I was little was a doll-size barn with stables and an upstairs apartment that my dad built, himself, which my mom had staged with tiny accessories, like saddles, straw bales, food, furniture, farm animals and beautiful toy horses. I had not requested it, but they knew it was something I would love. Imagine my surprise when I walked downstairs to find such a gift, perfectly arranged under the tree. These were the days of Santa Claus, although I had heard my dad hammering away all night in the garage. And so, we were taught at a young age that Christmas is about giving, and that giving comes in many different forms. Everyone has something to give. We were also taught that although we may not get what we wish for, someone else might have a better plan. I hope you had a wonderful and beautiful holiday season. I hope you were able to spend that precious time with family or someone you love. And for anyone that needs it, may you stumble on a little spark of magic during the upcoming new year.
Since I like to share Savannah stories here, and since this blog post is dedicated to Christmas (although late, I admit), I’ll leave you with the story of “Jingle Bells.” It was written by James Lord Pierpont who rests in Laurel Grove Cemetery. A favorite local tour guide, Shannon Scott, first introduced me to him, and you can have the great honor of learning from Shannon, too, if you sign up for one of his private tours. He is truly a local gem and someone who cannot be missed! Please go see him, if you can.
James Pierpont, born in Massachusetts in 1822, was the composer of “The One Horse Open Sleigh,” which was later changed to “Jingle Bells,” a song known and loved around the world, published and copyrighted in 1857 while he was living in Savannah. A certain irony surrounds the song because it was intended to be comical, which you’ll understand when you read the original lyrics and lesser known verses (below), it was written during Thanksgiving, and while it is debated where it was written, it is largely associated with Savannah, a town that rarely sees snow. In fact, it was first performed at a Sunday school concert during Thanksgiving in Savannah.
James has a fascinating life story, including running away from boarding school at age 10, sailing a whaling ship called The Shark, serving in the U.S. navy until the age of 21, leaving his family with his father to start a business in California during the Gold Rush, working as a photographer until his goods burned in a fire, moving to Savannah to become an organist and music director at the Unitarian Church where his brother served as pastor, teaching organ and singing lessons, publishing numerous songs, marrying a second wife (his first wife died in 1853), Eliza Purse, daughter of Savannah’s mayor, writing music for the confederacy during the Civil War and retiring as head of the Musical Department at Quitman Academy in Quitman, GA. He moved a few times in Georgia, before living at his son’s home in Florida until his death in 1893. For a long time, it seems he was a wild child and a rebel, and I can’t imagine the circumstances that led him to leave his family, but his brother helped him get back on his feet. After many twists and turns, it’s interesting he ended up back in Savannah where you can have the privilege of visiting his grave.
James was the uncle of John Pierpont Morgan (J.P. Morgan), founder of J.P. Morgan and Co., so his (extended) family left quite a legacy that didn’t end with “Jingle Bells,” although James Pierpont died with little money and no fame. It wasn’t until after his death that his song became widely known and popularized, but surely, he’s watching from somewhere above with a smile while the world sings his song by heart.
And now for the original, complete lyrics:
Verse 1:
Dashing thro’ the snow,
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O’er the hills we go,
Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob tail ring,
Making spirits bright,
Oh what sport to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.
Chorus:
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what joy it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Verse 2:
A day or two ago
I tho’t 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)
Verse 3:
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)
Verse 4:
Now the ground is white
Go it while you’re young,
Take the girls tonight
and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You’ll take the lead.
(Chorus)
You might also like
