Jingle Bells

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s dance RH across; 1s ½ turn RH and 1M followed by 1L dance down to face 3M (2s step up 7-8)
9-16 1s dance Alternating Tandem reel of 3 with 4th corners (3M and 2L). 1s end facing 3L (1M leading, 1L following)
17-24 1s dance Alternating Tandem reel of 3 with 1st corners (3L and 2M). 1s in in 2nd place opposite sides. 2(1)3
25-32 1s dance 6 bar mirror reels of 3 on sides (1s out/down, 3s in/up to start), 1s cross RH to 2nd place own side. 213

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

1- 8 1C and 2C dance RH across once round. 1C turn RH ½ way, then 1M followed by 1W dance down between 2C to face 3M; 2C step up on bars 7-8.
9-16 1C (1M followed closely by 1W) dance RS reel of 3 with 3M and 2W; 1W take the lead while dancing around 3M position; 1M take the lead while dancing around 2W position. 1C end facing 3W, 1W behind 1M.
17-24 1C (1M followed closely by 1W) dance LS reel of 3 with 3W and 2M; 1W take the lead while dancing around 3W position; 1M take the lead while dancing around 2M position. 1C end on opposite sides in 2nd place.
25-32 Six bar RS reels of 3 on the sides of the dance; 1W give LS to 3M; 1M give RS to 3W. On bars 31-32, 1C turn RH to own sides in 2nd place.

Repeat.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser Sue McKinnell, 2018)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Jingle Bells - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

Suggested music: Long Pond Reel from Terpsichore.

(Dance information by the deviser, Sue McKinnell)

The song Jingle Bells was written by the American composer James Lord Pierpont and was first published in 1857 under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh". It was later republished as "Jingle Bells".

The lyrics describe a journey through snow in a horse-drawn sleigh, with bells attached to the harness ringing as the horse moves. Such sleigh bells were commonly used in snowy regions during the 19th century because the sound helped warn other road users of approaching vehicles. The chorus contains the famous line, "Oh! what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh", which helped make the song widely remembered and easy to sing.

Although strongly associated with Christmas today, the song contains no direct mention of Christmas, Jesus, or any religious subject. Historians generally believe it was originally intended as a song for winter entertainment or Thanksgiving celebrations. Over time, it became linked with Christmas because of its snowy setting and cheerful style.

"Jingle Bells" has been translated into many languages and recorded by a very large number of singers and musicians. In 1965, a recording of the song became the first music broadcast from space when astronauts aboard NASA's Gemini 6 spacecraft played a short version using a harmonica and small bells. The song remains widely used in schools, concerts, films, television programmes, and seasonal celebrations throughout the world.

One Horse Open Sleigh Title Page, c. 1857

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