| "> | | | | with eight smaller UFO's in front. Their reports |
| 'Jingle Bells' is one of the best known Christmas | | | | followed that the pilot in the larger command |
| songs in the world yet its history tells us that is | | | | module UFO was wearing a red suit. The prank |
| not specifically a Christmas song. Known today as | | | | concluded with the astronaut duo playing 'Jingle |
| a fun and laughter filled Christmas song and it is | | | | Bells' on a harmonica accompanied by sleigh bells |
| popular as the subject of parody. James Lord | | | | that they had smuggled on board. Today at the |
| Pierpont originally wrote the song in 1857 and it | | | | Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum both |
| was copyrighted at the time as 'One Horse Open | | | | instruments are on display. Interestingly, they are |
| Sleigh'. The song was reprinted in 1859 with the | | | | considered the first musical instruments to be |
| revised title of 'Jingle Bells'. Pierpont wrote the | | | | played in space! |
| song for a Thanksgiving program at a church in | | | | 'Jingle Bells' has also been the subject of parody. |
| Savannah, Georgia in the USA where he was the | | | | The best known homage to the original song is |
| resident organist. | | | | 'Jingle Bell Rock' by Bobby Helms. In the 1960's |
| The tune of 'Jingle Bells' has been used in German | | | | children in the USA commonly sang the verse |
| and French songs to celebrate winter fun. Lyrics | | | | 'Jingle bells, Santa smells, Easter's on its way. Oh |
| are completely unrelated to the ones we all know | | | | what fun it is to ride in a beat up Chevrolet.' Here |
| and love. For example, Francis Blanche wrote the | | | | is another parody of 'Jingle Bells', a verse which |
| French song 'Vive Le Vent' meaning 'Long Live the | | | | adults and children alike loved and continue to love |
| Wind' with references to new year's day. | | | | to sing while enjoying a few laughs along the way |
| In 1898 'Jingle Bells' was first recorded by the | | | | 'Dashing through the snow, on a pair of broken |
| Edison Male Quartette in the USA. It has since | | | | skis, crashing into trees, and a piece of moldy |
| been recorded by many great artists including | | | | cheese Ha Ha Ha, the snow is turning red, I think |
| Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters. In 2006 | | | | I'm almost dead, please rush me to the hospital |
| when Kimberley Locke sang it, it became a | | | | before I lose my head. Ha Ha Ha.' |
| number one hit on the Billboard Adult | | | | 'Jingle Bells' continues to be a Christmas favorite |
| Contemporary chart. | | | | song whether sung in its original form or whether |
| Here is a fun fact. In 1965, December 16th 'Jingle | | | | by parody, it is still popular throughout the world |
| Bells' was the first song broadcast from outer | | | | today. A song that brings families and |
| space. Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, the | | | | communities together sharing good cheer and |
| astronauts aboard Gemini 6 played a prank. They | | | | holiday fun at Christmas time each year! |
| relayed to mission control that they saw a UFO | | | | |