Jingle Bells
Ella Fitzgerald · Christmas & Hits Duos (Slip) [2008]
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob-tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We ran into a drifted bank
And there we got upsot
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
A day or two ago
The story I must tell
I went out on the snow
And on my back I fell
A gent was riding by
In a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed at me as
I there sprawling laid
But quickly drove away
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young
Take the girls along
And sing this sleighing song
Just bet a bob-tailed bay
Two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! You'll take the lead
Jingle Bells - Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of 'Jingle Bells' showcases her unparalleled vocal precision and improvisational flair, transforming a traditional holiday standard into a sophisticated jazz statement. Recorded for the album 'Christmas & Hits Duos (Slip) [2008]', this track highlights her ability to blend technical mastery with emotional depth, characteristic of her extensive discography. While the song originates from a secular folk tradition, Fitzgerald's interpretation elevates it through her signature scatting and melodic invention, demonstrating her versatility across genres. Her collaboration on this release underscores her enduring legacy as a master of vocal jazz, where the familiar melody serves as a vehicle for her distinctive artistry rather than a mere vehicle for the song itself.