Sleigh Ride

Christmas Carol Lyrics

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring ting tingling too.
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "Yoo hoo."
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
Let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
It's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
We love to sing without a single stop,
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop.

Pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
Nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the chocolate
And the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
Ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you,
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"

Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
Let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up,
It's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you.

 
Written by Mitchell Parish, Leroy Anderson, 1948

History Of This Carol

Sleigh Ride is one of the most cheerful and recognizable winter songs ever written, and interestingly, it was never intended to be a Christmas song at all. Composer Leroy Anderson created the melody in 1948 during a sweltering summer, hoping to capture the brisk fun of a snowy day. Its light orchestration, clip clopping rhythms, and playful brass effects paint a vivid picture of a horse trotting through fresh snow.

The lyrics were added two years later by Mitchell Parish. His words matched the lively spirit of Anderson's tune, focusing on the simple pleasures of gliding through a wintry landscape while bundled up with good company. Parish never mentions Christmas, yet the song's frosty charm and joyful mood helped it slide naturally into holiday playlists.

Sleigh Ride became an immediate hit for orchestras and vocal groups. The Boston Pops helped popularize the orchestral version, while artists from The Ronettes to Ella Fitzgerald brought new life to the vocal arrangement (see video below). Its familiar whip cracks and trumpet horse whinnies have become part of the song's signature sound.

Although it is often linked with Christmas celebrations, Sleigh Ride is really a celebration of winter itself. Its infectious rhythm and bright imagery make it a favorite for concerts, parades, and festive gatherings that capture the season's crisp outdoor magic.

Animated Video with Ella Fitzgerald's Vocals

More Christmas Carol Lyrics