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The Story Behind "Winter Wonderland"
 
The origins of “Winter Wonderland” start in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. A local man named Richard Smith wrote a poem in 1934. He was in the West Mountain Sanitarium being treated for tuberculosis. While being treated, he entered contests for jingles and ads for companies. Richard Smith’s sister, Marjorie W. Smith, claimed her brother was inspired by the beauty of the freshly fallen snow in the park when he wrote the “Winter Wonderland” poem.
“Winter Wonderland” mentions Parson Brown. He was a made up character intended to represent parsons. A parson was an independent priest of the Protestant faith who was not associated with any specific parishes or churches. At the time the poem was written, parsons traveled through the country performing interdenominational services and ceremonies when no one else was available to do so.
In 1934, Richard Smith showed his “Winter Wonderland” poem to his friend Felix Bernard. He was a Jewish musician who was touched by Richard Smith’s poem. He set out to compose a melody to go along with the poem.
Sadly, Richard Smith died in 1935, at the age of 34. Some reports say he died before he could hear the music Felix Bernard made for “Winter Wonderland”. Other reports say Richard Smith lived long enough to hear Guy Lombard and his orchestra, the Royal Canadians, perform his song the Christmas before he died.
Sleighbells ring, are you list'nin?
In the lane snow is glist'nin
A beautiful sight We're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is the 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 made
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mr. snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down!
When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
Though your nose gets a chillin'?
We'll frolic and play
The eskimo way
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
Walkin' in a winter wonderland!
(Walkin' in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listenin'
(Walkin' in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listenin'
In the lane snow is glistenin'
(Walkin' in a winter wonderland!)
Are you listenin', sleighbells ring are you listenin'
(Walkin' in a winter wonderland!)
Sleighbells ring are you listenin', sleighbells ring:
(Walkin' in a winter wonderland!)
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