A THANKSGIVING SLEIGH RIDE? by Marisa Masterson

 

Imagine the mounds of snow. Crisp air hits your lungs as you breathe. The horse waits, shifting so that the sleigh bells sound.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Designer-Greetings-
Winter-Sleigh-Ride-Vintage-Christmas-Card/706102857

One man described this exact scene to celebrate Thanksgiving. Yes, that holiday--not Christmas. Jingle Bells by James Lloyd Pierpont is really a Thanksgiving song.

Why a sleigh ride on that day? According to legend, Pierpont wanted to write a song to commemorate his town's annual sleigh race. 

And consider that setting. This is not a fun, leisurely ride. It is an intense race:

https://www.metmuseum.org/es/art/collection/search/380479

 

Go it while you're young

Take the girls tonight

Sing this sleighing song

Get a bobtailed bay Two forty for his speed

And hitch him to an open sleigh

And you will take the lead

If you think of a sleigh race, the last line of the above quote makes sense. "Take the lead", as in pull ahead of the other races.

Because the song never once mentions Thanksgiving, it lends itself well to Christmas. It beccomes a nostalgic glimpse into holidays past, to a time long gone.

A great source to learn more--https://unrememberedhistory.com/tag/medford-massachusetts/

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