'Tis merry to hear, at evening time, 
 By the blazing hearth the sleigh-bells chime; 
 To know the bounding steeds bring near 
 The loved one to our bosoms dear. 
 Ah, lightly we spring the fire to raise, 
 Till the rafters glow with the ruddy blaze; 
 Those merry sleigh-bells, our hearts keep time 
 Responsive to their fairy chime. 
 Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er vale and hill, 
 Their welcome notes are trembling still. 

 'Tis he, and blithely the gay bells sound, 
 As his sleigh glides over the frozen ground; 
 Hark! He has pass'd the dark pine wood, 
 He crosses now the ice-bound flood, 
 And hails the light at the open door 
 That tells his toilsome journey's o'er. 
 The merry sleigh-bells! My fond heart swells 
 And trobs to hear the welcome bells; 
 Ding-dong, ding-dong, o'er ice and snow, 
 A voice of gladness, on they go. 

 Our hut is small, and rude our cheer, 
 But love has spread the banquet here; 
 And childhood springs to be caress'd 
 By our beloved and welcome guest. 
 With a smiling brow his tale he tells, 
 The urchins ring the merry sleigh-bells; 
 The merry sleigh-bells, with shout and song 
 They drag the noisy string along; 
 Ding-dong, ding-dong, the father's come 
 The gay bells ring his welcome home. 

 From the cedar swamp the gaunt wolves howl, 
 From the oak loud whoops the felon owl; 
 The snow-storm sweeps in thunder past, 
 The forest creaks beneath the blast; 
 No more I list, with boding fear, 
 The sleigh-bells distant chime to hear. 
 The merry sleigh-bells with soothing power 
 Shed gladness on the evening hour. 
 Ding-dong, ding-dong, what rapture swells 
 The music of those joyous bells!