Perfessor [sic] Bill Edwards has a website with a gallery of antique sheet music. He tells the story of the evolution of Christmas carols with secular themes in his article, "Perfessor Bill's Christmas Music” (2009). He provides original Christmas songs lyrics, if available. He explains that, prior to 1850, secular carols did not exist. Both songs and instrumentals were closely monitored by the Church for appropriate Christmas themes and proper musical styles.
Jingle Bells Takes the Lead
“Jingle Bells” was composed by James Lord Pierpont (pictured above), in 1857 under the name of the “One Horse Open Sleigh.” According to "Perfessor" Bill, it was published by Oliver Ditson and became so popular that it was reprinted with the title adopted by fans of the song, “Jingle Bells.” By 1900, the familiar tune and melody were well established and were associated with Christmas.
Sleigh Rides Follow
In the year 1900, Eugene Walter further promoted the Christmas theme of sleigh rides through his work called “The Sleigh Ride.” In 1900, Christmas songs continued to be restricted to solemn hymns, so he adopted a theme of snow and winter, and created a lively tune. The experience of riding a sleigh was an acceptable theme for jolly music, and was quickly adopted by the public as "Christmas music."
In 1906 Edward Taylor Paull composed “Silver Sleigh Bells.” “Silver Sleigh Bells" also became associated with Christmas. The cover of the sheet music for the song depicted holly, causing the public to adopt the tune for Christmas. The music daringly included the sounds of cracking of the whip, church bells and sleigh bells with a theme of a fast “sleigh race.”
“Jolly Jingles” or “Song of the Sleighbells” was written by Henry S. Sawyer in 1911. At the time it was composed, “Perfessor” Edwards explains that automobiles were common and the jingling of sleigh bells was a warning of an approaching sleigh. Sawyer took a bold step by adding actual sleigh bells as instruments.
Emergence of Popular Themes
“Perfesser” Edwards asserts that by 1930 there was still no “Christmas standard” other than reverent hymns. In spite of this, songs about Santa Claus began to appear.
Although the controversy of religious and popular Christmas songs continued, the 1940’s saw the emergence of nostalgic songs about Christmas, such as “I'll Be Home For Christmas” (1943). These songs were considered somewhat bold, and Bing Crosby, devoutly religious, was hesitant to sing “White Christmas,” which became the most beloved of all. Interestingly, "sleigh bells in the snow" is part of the first verse.
The Role of Sleigh Bells
The tentative forays of sleigh bells into Christmas themes continued. In 1948, Leroy Anderson wrote the famous “Sleigh Ride.” “Perfessor” Bill provides us with the lyrics: “Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too…” From the shy appearance of Jingle Bells in 1850, the “Jingle Bell Rock” eventually came forth as a rock song with a Christmas theme and was accepted immediately with enthusiasm.
Jingle Bells Paved the Way
Today we enjoy winter themes and mood songs at Christmas and they are included among Christmas carols. The song “Jingle Bells” and the sleigh theme gently paved the way for expressing themes of merriness and fun as well as melancholy and nostalgic secular carols. All of these things, combined with reverent religious themes, rounded out the full human experience of the Season.
