Perry Como - Winter Wonderland (RCA Victor 1959)

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"Winter Wonderland" is a winter song, popularly treated as a Christmas time pop standard, written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer) and Richard B. Smith (lyricist). Richard was reportedly inspired to write the song after seeing Honesdale's Central Park covered in snow. Mr. Smith had written the lyrics while in the West Mountain Sanitarium, being treated for tuberculosis. The original recording was by Richard Himber and his Hotel Ritz-Carlton 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 in the Northern Hemisphere, although the holiday itself is never mentioned in the lyrics. There is a mention of "sleigh-bells" several times, implying that this song refers to the Christmas period.

You may find yourself asking who is Parson Brown? One can assume that "Parson" is used as a title, instead of a first name. In the period when this song was written, parsons (now known as a Protestant minister) often travelled among small rural towns to perform wedding ceremonies for denominational followers who did not have a local minister of their faith. Therefore, the children are most likely pretending that their snowman is a Parson with the surname "Brown," which would be visiting the town again in the future.

Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an American singer, actor and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, after signing with the label in 1943.

He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by multi-media star Bing Crosby.

"Mr. C.", as he was nicknamed, sold millions of records and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast throughout the world. In the official RCA Records Billboard magazine memorial, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all."

Como received five Emmys from 1955 to 1959, a Christopher Award (1956) and shared a Peabody Award with good friend Jackie Gleason in 1956. He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1990 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1987. Posthumously, Como received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 and was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He has the distinction of having three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio, television, and music.

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listenin'?
In the lane snow is glistenin'
a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
walkin' in a winter wonderland!

Gone away is the bluebird
here to stay is a new bird
he sings a love song as we go along
walkin' in a winter wonderland!

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!"

Later on, we'll conspire,
as we dream, by the fire,
to face unafraid,
the plans that we've made
walkin' in a winter wonderland!

[instrumental break]

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listenin'?
In the lane snow is glistenin'
a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight...
Oh!... walkin' in a winter wonderland!

Gone away is the bluebird
here to stay is a new bird ...
he sings a love song as we go along
walkin' in a winter wonderland!

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!"

Later on, we'll conspire,
as we dream, by the fire,
to face unafraid,
the plans that we've made
walkin' in a winter wonderland!

We'll be happy in love
as two turtle doves
livin' in a fairy land!...
Oh!... we'll be walkin'
in a winter wonderland!