Winter Wonderland
- This article is about the song. For the 1999 interactive fiction game, see Winter Wonderland (game).
"Winter Wonderland" is a pop standard written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). It has been recorded many different times by such artists as Dolly Parton, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Karen Carpenter, Cyndi Lauper, and the Cocteau Twins. The song has an introduction that is only occasionally included. The music and lyrics of the introduction put the main theme a different context, and give it different meaning, and more depth of meaning, than it has, if heard without the introduction. Without the introduction it is a song about having a fun time in the winter season. With the introduction: it is a song about love. Here it is:
Over the ground lies a mantle of white.
A heaven of diamonds shine down through the night.
Two hearts are thrillin' in spite of the chill in
the weather.
Love knows no season; love knows no clime.
Romance can blossom any old time.
Here in the open, we're walkin' and hopin'
together.
Smith, a native of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was reportedly inspired to write the song after seeing Honesdale's Central Park covered in snow.
The original recording was by Richard Himber and his Hotel Carelton Orchestra on RCA Bluebird in 1934. At the end of a recording session with time to spare, it was suggested that this new tune be tried with an arrangement provided by the publisher. This excellent "studio" orchestra included many great New York studio musicians including the legendary Artie Shaw.
Due to its seasonal theme, "Winter Wonderland" is often regarded as a Christmas song on the Northern Hemisphere, although the holiday itself is never mentioned in the lyrics. In the Swedish language lyrics, Vår vackra vita vintervärld, the word tomtar is mentioned.
The song has been parodied by Bob Rivers as "Walkin' 'Round in Women's Underwear", and by Dr. Demento favorite Yorgi Yorgesson as "Walkin' In My Winter Underwear".
Parson Brown
The following lyrics compose the musical bridge of the song:
"In the meadow we can build a snowman,
then pretend that he is Parson Brown.
He'll say 'Are You Married?' We'll say 'No man,
but you can do the job when you're in town!"
In the period when this song was written, parsons (now known as Protestant ministers) often traveled among small rural towns to perform wedding ceremonies for denominational followers who did not have a local minister of their own faith. It is therefore likely that the young adults are pretending that their snowman is a parson with the surname "Brown" who would be visiting the town again in the future. Rankin/Bass's animated special, Frosty's Winter Wonderland actually featured a clergyman by that same name. The implication is that the young adults aren't exactly planning to wait for the parson to actually marry them, before they perform marital acts, or at least, acts that are to marital acts, as snowman parsons are to real parsons. Note that in a later verse, the snowman becomes a "circus clown" and the couple have "lots of fun with..." him. And later "other kiddies knock him down." The song is only superficially about enjoying a walk on a cold day and, on a deeper level, it is about young people flaunting a disregard for authority and tradition in regard to pre-marital or extra-marital sex.
Other recordings
Trivia
During the 2006-2007 season, football team Manchester United fans sung a variation on the song.
Mourinho are you listening?
You'd better keep the trophy glistening.
Coz we'll be back in May
To take it away
Walking in a Fergie wonderland!