Jingle Bells

"Jingle Bells" is one of the most beloved, traditional holiday sing-alongs. The song was written in the 1850s by James Lord Pierpont, originally titled "One Horse Open Sleigh," which was originally geared towards the Thanksgiving season. 

The song was so well received at his church that it was demanded for Christmas soon after and has since become a staple Christmas song. Over time, the song has grown with hundreds of different covers, as well as fun children's parodies.

This exercise uses four chords, all in open position. Notice in the video that some of the chord transitions are quicker than others, like the chords Am and D7, which are played for two beats instead of the usual four. Note that the G chord can be played in either the standard or two-finger position on the third fret, depending on which makes chord transitions easier for you.

The strumming pattern is open to interpretation, but such a light-hearted song sounds great with an upbeat strumming. Pluck the bass note of each chord before strumming a pattern to make your transitions really pop.

"Jingle Bells" uses the following chords:















Sing & Play!

- Played in the key of G major with a quick 4/4 feel -

G
Dashing through the snow
       C
In a one horse open sleigh
Am                        D7
O'er the fields we go
                           G
Laughing all the way
G
Bells on bob tails ring
C
Making spirits bright
Am                          G
Oh, what fun it is to laugh and sing
   D7                        G
A sleighing song tonight

D7  G
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       A7                       D7
In a one horse open sleigh
G
Jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       D7                      G
In a one horse open sleigh

   G
A day or two ago
  C
I thought I'd take a ride
        Am                       D7
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
                                G
Was seated by my side
       G
The horse was lean and lank
      C
Misfortune seemed his lot
       Am                      G
We got into a drifted bank
       D7                    G
And then we got upset

D7  G
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       A7                       D7
In a one horse open sleigh
G
Jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       D7                      G
In a one horse open sleigh

D7  G
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       A7                       D7
In a one horse open sleigh
G
Jingle bells, jingle bells
G
Jingle all the way
C                      G
Oh, what fun it is to ride
       D7                      G
In a one horse open sleigh