Backstory: Jingle Bells

The song now known as "Jingle Bells" is synonymous with Christmas, even though it never mentions Christmas by name. There's much more to the story of this beloved song than you ever could have imagined. Tracing its history will take us through Boston minstrel halls, "sleigh ride culture," and a feud between two American towns that each claim to be the song's birthplace. 

This episode features Kyna Hamill from Boston University and the Medford Historical Society. 

Music in this episode

• "Jingle Bells" — The Edison Male Quartet, via Internet Archive
• "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells" — Vernon Geyer, via Internet Archive
• "Jingle Bells Calm" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
• "Wish Background" — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
• "Atmospheric Jingle Bells" — Royalty Free Music, via SoundCloud

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Book

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Available in hardcover and audiobook. Find it wherever books are sold, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.