Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra - Winter Wonderland (Capitol Records 1956)

"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.

John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987), known as Jackie Gleason, was an American actor, comedian, writer, and composer also known as "The Great One". He developed a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York, and was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy, exemplified by his city bus driver character Ralph Kramden in the television series The Honeymooners. He also developed The Jackie Gleason Show, which maintained high ratings from the mid-1950s through 1970. The series originated in New York City, but filming moved to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1964 after Gleason took up permanent residence there.

Among his notable film roles were Minnesota Fats in 1961's The Hustler (co-starring with Paul Newman) and Buford T. Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit series from 1977 to 1983 (co-starring Burt Reynolds).

Gleason enjoyed a prominent secondary music career during the 1950s and 1960s, producing a series of bestselling "mood music" albums. His first album Music for Lovers Only still holds the record for the longest stay on the Billboard Top Ten Charts (153 weeks), and his first 10 albums sold over a million copies each. His output spans more than 20 singles, nearly 60 long-playing record albums, and more than 40 CDs.

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!