The last couple years Jingle Bells has literally started my holiday season. When I help with parlor music at the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum, this is the song that kids love. They might not know The First Noel or Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, but they sure belt out Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls.

This year we sang Jingle Bells so many times that I refused to listen to or play the song for a week. Then historical curiosity got the better of me. Out came the sheet music. Out came the history books. Now, I want to go sleighing…

That might not happen in Southern California, but come take a ride through the history of this famous Christmas classic. Continue reading →