Godotaagaansan (Jingle Bells)
In the 1850s James Lord Pierpont wrote the song with the name “The One Horse Open Sleigh” to celebrate winter sleigh races. It has been performed many ways over the years and became a holiday standard a century after it was written. In Cook County, Minnesota, it is sung as dogs and sleds are getting ready for a race without a horse, the John Beargrease race.
Born in 1858, John Makwabimide (Beargrease) lived with his brothers Debaashi (Underneath) also known as Peter, and Bashkwegin (Leather) who was also known as Joseph. They lived in Beaver Bay and delivered mail using dogsleds between 1897 and 1899. Today, dogsled teams from all over head to Duluth, Minnesota to compete in an annual race in his honor. https://beargrease.com/
For groups who want to sing the whole song, here are the lyrics to download. For young students we recommend the short version with the nakwe’amaagewin (chorus or answering part) and just one nagamobiisaawin (part of the song or verse), but either way we hope you enjoy winter sledding and weweni, travel safe!
Nakwe’amaagewin / Chorus:
Godotaagaansan, godotaagaansan madwewemagadoon
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way
Minwendaagwag wii-booziyang biboonodaabaaning
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Godotaagaansan, godotaagaansan madwewemagadoon
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way
Minwendaagwag wii-booziyang biboonodaabaaning
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Nagamobiisaawin Bezhig / Verse One:
Nizhiibaagonebiz biboonodaabaaning,
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh,
Zhiibaabizoyang gitigaaning, ge baashkaapiyang;
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Madwewemagag, ge minawaanigoziyang;
Bells on bobtail ring, making spirits bright;
Aapiji minwendaagwag ji-zhiibaagonebizoyang!
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight!
Nagamobiisaawin Niizh / Verse Two:
Mii iidog gaa-niizhogon, gii-babaamibizoyaan,
A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride,
Dash wayiiba Baanii Waasikwe gii-wiidabimid imaa;
And soon Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side;
Bebezhigoogaanzhii bwaa-minwaabamewizid,
The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot,
Gii-izhaayaang ishpaagoneyaasing, dash gwanabiseyaang.
We got into a drifted bank, and then we got upsot.
Nagamobiisaawin Niswi / Verse Three:
Mii iidog gaa-niizhogon, daa-dazhindamaan
A day or two ago, a story I must tell.
Gii-bimaagoneyaan, dash aatawaaseyaan.
I went out on the snow, and on my back I fell.
Awiiya nigii-gabikaag biboonodaabaaning,
A gent was riding by in a one horse open sleigh,
Gii-baapigooyaan apii animibizod ge-bimishinaan!
He laughed as there I sprawling lie but quickly drove away!
Nagamobiisaawin Niiwin / Verse Four:
Noongom gaa-gabezoogipon, bimaagonen noongom;
Now the ground is white, go it while you’re young;
Wiijiiwaag ikwezensag, dash o’ow nagamowin.
Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song.
Gidaa-debinaa bebezhigoogaanzhii, ge gizhiibaatood;
Just get a bob tailed bay, two-forty as his speed;
Zagibizh biboonodaabaaning dash ogimaakandawad!
Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! You’ll take the lead!