# Jingle Bells, Batman Smells **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913 "2005-12-23T02:05:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/1 "2005-12-23T02:05:27Z")
“Jingle Bells, Batman smells Robin flew away The Batmobile lost it’s wheels all on Christmas day” What is the origin of this generation-bridging, culture-spanning, time-defying Yuletide classic? I’ve sung it every Christmas since my nonage, and now my kids and their friends seem to have picked it up from somewhere. Is there a definitve set of lyrics for it? If not, what sort of regional variations are the on it. It’d be cool to know. mm ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/2 "2005-12-23T02:11:31Z")
I learned it as Jingle Bells Batman smells Robin laid an egg The Batmobile lost a wheel And the Joker got away, hey! An alternative last line was “And the Joker did ballet” which is even sillier. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/3 "2005-12-23T02:11:42Z")
Jingle bells, Batman smells Robin laid an egg The Batmobile, lost a wheel And the Joker got away… hey! ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/4 "2005-12-23T02:11:59Z")
Well I always heard it as Jingle Bells, Batman smells Robin laid and egg Batmobile lost it’s wheel and Joker got away. Although my kids sing the alst line as and Joker took ballet ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/5 "2005-12-23T02:35:51Z")
Can I take this beyond the Batman theme and share my childhood favorite: Jingle Bells, Shotgun Shells BBs in the air, Take a shot at Santa Claus And Listen to him Swear. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/6 "2005-12-23T04:00:10Z")
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is dead. Rudolph took a .44 and shot him in the head. Barbie Doll, Barbie Doll, tried to save his life. GI Joe, GI Joe stuck her with a knife. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/7 "2005-12-23T04:05:41Z")
Jingle Bells, Batman smells Half a mile away. Never heard it past there when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/8 "2005-12-23T04:11:14Z")
Now _that’s_ a heck of a triple-simulpost. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/9 "2005-12-23T04:14:17Z")
That was some simulpost! I’ve always heard the “Robin laid an egg,” “_a_ wheel,” “Joker got away” version. The ballet line is pretty funny, though. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/10 "2005-12-23T04:16:16Z")
My guess is that there’s no definative version, it’s an American school yard classic that will defy any real author. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/11 "2005-12-23T04:44:46Z")
We used to sing this ditty back in the days of the Batman TV series in the '60s. I was never too clear on the last line–I remember it as “And Commissioner broke his leg.” ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/12 "2005-12-23T05:53:21Z")
I’ve got to say I completely disagree with **Yumblie** and **Odinoneeye**. I’ve never heard those versions. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/13 "2005-12-23T05:58:43Z")
When I ws a kid in the 70’s we sang both the _Joker got away_ version and _Alfred saved the day_ version. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/14 "2005-12-23T06:12:50Z")
_Jingle bells, Mermaid Man smells, Barnacle Boy laid an egg, Invisible Boatmobile lost a wheel, and Manray got away!"_ Yes, I do have a six-year-old, since you asked. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/15 "2005-12-23T06:17:23Z")
I’ve often wondered what unsung genius is the originator of those schoolyard parodies. I can remember a version of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” which must have contained upwards of a billion different verses. \*Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school. we have tortured every teacher, we have broken every rule. We have drowned the principal in the school swimming pool, Our truth is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah, teacher hit me with a ruler. Met her at the door with a loaded 44 and she ain’t my teacher no more.\* The chorus had countless variations. There was also a version of “Joy to the World.” \*Joy to the world the school burned down, and all the teachers too! We’re looking for the principal, he’s hanging from the flag pole with a rope around his neck, with a rope around his neck, with a ro-ooo-o-o-o-ope around his neck.\* (there was also a variation with the janitor sliding down the bannister with a broomstick up his nose) ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/16 "2005-12-23T07:04:00Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > I’ve got to say I completely disagree with **Yumblie** and **Odinoneeye**. I’ve never heard those versions. Wow, the ones they posted are the only version I’ve ever heard. On the Simpsons, that first Christmas special, it’s what Bart sings at the variety show. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/17 "2005-12-23T10:39:30Z")
I’ve learned it as Jingle bells Batman smells Robin laid an egg Batmobile lost a wheel and Joker broke a leg These “regional variation” songs are always so cool. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/18 "2005-12-23T12:06:22Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > \*Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school. > we have tortured every teacher, we have broken every rule. > We have drowned the principal in the school swimming pool, > Our truth is marching on. > There was also a version of “Joy to the World.” > > \*Joy to the world > the school burned down, > and all the teachers too! > > We’re looking for the principal, > he’s hanging from the flag pole > with a rope around his neck, > with a rope around his neck, > with a ro-ooo-o-o-o-ope around his neck.\* [hijack] I have to wonder…nowadays, when kids get in trouble for doodling anything too violent on their notebooks, have schools banned these songs? I mean, in this post-Columbine era killing teachers is nothing to joke about!!! :eek: :rolleyes: [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/19 "2005-12-23T12:26:42Z")
And from my playground in England: Jingle Bells Batman smells Joker got away. Father Christmas Lost his whiskers On the motorway. Hey! And also We three kings of Orient are One in a taxi One in a car One on a scooter blowing his hooter Following yonder star. Oh… star of wonder Star of light Charlie set his pants alight Still proceeding Through the ceiling Guide us to that perfect light. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913/20 "2005-12-23T16:37:56Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > We three kings of Orient are > One in a taxi > One in a car > One on a scooter blowing his hooter > Following yonder star. > Oh… star of wonder > Star of light > Charlie set his pants alight > Still proceeding > Through the ceiling > Guide us to that perfect light. We had: We three kings of Orient are tried to smoke a rubber cigar it was loaded and exploded BOOM it was a grenade. We two kings of Orient are tried to smoke a rubber cigar it was loaded and exploded BOOM it was a grenade. I one king of Orient are tried to smoke a rubber cigar it was loaded and exploded BOOM… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jingle-bells-batman-smells/336913.md?page=2)