"Jingle Bells Christmas song started as a drinking song written by a 'jerk' "

"Here’s the truth about Jingle Bells. It’s not a Christmas song — it’s a Thanksgiving song. It’s not a jolly family song — it’s a drinking song. It’s at the centre of a nasty dispute, and it was written by a 'jerk'."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jingle-bells-christmas-song-started-as-a-drinking-song-written-by-a-jerk-1.2874860

in a nutshell: james lord pierpont wrote the song in medford, massachusetts, about sleigh races that were held on salem street (similar to drag races).

the guy left his wife with his father to go off to the gold rush.
when his wife died he didn't attend her funeral, he abandoned his kids, moved to georgia, married the mayor's daughter & became a pastor. on thanksgiving he led the congregation in song -- jingle bells. they liked it so much they sang it again at christmas.

HEY!