You can’t hear Christmas music without ever hearing “Jingle Bells.” It’s a timeless holiday classic, so that’s why it’s a shock to know that the song was initially written for a different holiday.

“Jingle Bells” was written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont, and was originally meant to be sung at Thanksgiving. Its original title was “One Horse Open Sleigh” and it was inspired by sleigh races that were popular in the town of Medford, Massaschusetts in the 1800s. Pierpoint is said to have written the song for his dad’s Sunday school class to perform on turkey day.

So how did it become associated with Christmas? According to Southern Living, there are a couple theories. The first is that children began singing the song at Christmastime or it could be because the song mentions snow. But you know what the song does NOT mention? Christmas! Not once is Christmas brought up.

Bing Crosby’s 1943 version of “Jingle Bells” is the most popular version that’s ever been recorded. It was the first song to ever be played in space on December 16, 1965.