Jingle Bell Rock – English Lyrics

• By: Bobby Helms

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the festive spirit with Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock," a timeless holiday classic that broke new ground by infusing Christmas music with a vibrant rock and roll energy. This catchy tune, with its playful lyrics and iconic guitar riffs, offers a fun and accessible way to engage with American pop culture and the evolution of holiday music. Learning the lyrics can enhance appreciation for how musical styles combine to create enduring seasonal favorites, making it perfect for those looking to enjoy and understand English language songs in a lighthearted context. The song's enduring popularity and presence in various films and TV shows make it a staple for anyone wanting to explore classic American Christmas traditions.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
jingle /ˈdʒɪŋ.ɡəl/ B1	verb - to make a light ringing sound noun - a light ringing sound
bell /bel/ A1	noun - a hollow metal object, typically cup-shaped, that makes a ringing sound when struck
rock /rɒk/ A1	verb - to move gently back and forth noun - a type of popular music
swing /swɪŋ/ B1	verb - to move back and forth
ring /rɪŋ/ A1	verb - to make a clear resonant sound
fun /fʌn/ A1	noun - enjoyment or amusement
hop /hɒp/ B1	noun - an informal dance verb - to jump on one foot
chime /tʃaɪm/ B2	verb - to make a ringing sound
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
dancin' /ˈdænsɪŋ/ A1	verb - the present participle of dance
square /skweər/ A2	noun - a public open space in a town or city
frosty /ˈfrɒs.ti/ B2	adjective - very cold with frost
bright /braɪt/ B2	adjective - giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining.
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
swell /swel/ B2	adjective - excellent
horse /hɔːrs/ A1	noun - a large plant-eating domesticated mammal with solid hoofs and a flowing mane and tail, used for riding, racing, and to carry and pull loads.
feet /fiːt/ A1	noun - plural of foot

Key Grammar Structures

• Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun

  ➔ Present Participle for Simultaneous Actions

  ➔ The forms “snowin'” and “blowin'” are shortened forms of the present participles “snowing” and “blowing”. They describe actions happening at the same time, adding to the lively, festive atmosphere.

• Now the jingle hop has begun

  ➔ Present Perfect Tense

  ➔ The present perfect tense “has begun” indicates that the "jingle hop" started at some point in the past and continues to be relevant in the present.

• What a bright time, it's the right time To rock the night away

  ➔ Use of "What a..." for Exclamations

  ➔ "What a bright time" is an exclamatory sentence. The structure "What a + adjective + noun" expresses a strong feeling of enjoyment or appreciation.

• Jingle bell time is a swell time To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh

  ➔ Use of "To + infinitive" as an Adverb of Purpose

  ➔ The phrase “To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh” explains the purpose of jingle bell time being a “swell time”. The infinitive of purpose clarifies *why* it is a swell time.

• Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet

  ➔ Imperative Mood

  ➔ “Pick up your feet” is a command or instruction given directly to the jingle horse. The imperative mood is used to give orders or make requests.

• Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet

  ➔ Informal Contraction and Implied Subject

  ➔ "a-mingle" is a contraction of "and mingle", representing informal speech. The sentence also uses an implied subject; the command “Mix and mingle” is directed to the listeners or participants, implying “You mix and mingle.”