Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Snow
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
Snow
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow
Snow
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow
Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh
Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow
What is Christmas with no snow
No white Christmas with no snow
Snow
I'll soon be there with snow
I'll wash my hair with snow
And with a spade of snow
I'll build a man that's made of snow
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
Go to sleep
And dream
Of snow
The song "Snow" by Irving Berlin depicts the joys and pleasures of snow during winter. The lyricist wants to experience everything that has to do with snow, from washing his hands to clearing paths and building snowmen. He longs to see great mountains covered in a quilt of snow and a big man entirely made of snow. The upbeat rhythm and melody of the song create a sense of excitement around winter, as it brings the snow and all the joys that come with it. The song encapsulates the essence of winter wonderland and Christmas time.
The repetitive use of "snow" throughout the song highlights the lyricist's obsession with the cold weather and the excitement it brings. The mention of Christmas without snow becomes even more meaningful because it signifies that snow in winter is integral to the festive season. The song creates a mood of celebration and anticipation, and it encourages the listeners to join in the lyrics and to experience the thrill of playing in the snow.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow
The phrase 'Snow' is repeated multiple times throughout the song to emphasize the songwriter's love for snow and everything associated with it.
It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow
The songwriter predicts that the arrival of winter is imminent and soon people will get to experience the joy of snow.
I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow
The songwriter expresses a desire to use snow for everyday activities like washing up, highlighting their affection for snow.
I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
The songwriter expresses the desire to use snow to build things and create a path, indicating their fondness for snow and its versatility.
Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow
The songwriter expresses whimsical joy at the thought of seeing a giant snowman, further emphasizing their love for snow and everything related to it.
Where it's snowing
The songwriter is talking about a specific location where it is currently snowing.
All winter through
The snowfall in this location continues throughout the entire season of winter.
That's where I want to be
The songwriter expresses a desire to be in a place where snow is ever-present throughout the winter season.
Snowball throwing
The songwriter is expressing the joy of playing with snow and throwing snowballs, another example of their fondness for snow and winter activities.
That's what I'll do
The songwriter is stating their intention to spend time playing with snow and throwing snowballs if they are in a location where it snows during the winter season.
How I'm longing to ski
The songwriter expresses a desire to go skiing in a location where snowfall is prevalent.
Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh
The songwriter emphasizes the joy of skiing in snow for the entirety of the winter season.
Those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
The songwriter describes houses covered in snow and how they have a certain enchanting quality to them, further emphasizing their love for snow and winter.
Oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow
The songwriter expresses a desire to see a massive mountain range covered with a thick layer of snow, once again highlighting their love for snow associated with winter.
What is Christmas with no snow
The songwriter believes that snow is a significant part of the Christmas experience, and it is incomplete without it.
No white Christmas with no snow
The songwriter further emphasizes the importance of a traditional white Christmas with snowfall, without which the celebrations will feel incomplete.
I'll soon be there with snow
The songwriter is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to spend time in a place where it snows.
I'll wash my hair with snow
The songwriter once again emphasizes their fondness for snow by expressing a desire to wash their hair with it.
And with a spade of snow
The songwriter is referring to building snowmen or other structures using snow and a spade as a tool.
I'll build a man that's made of snow
The songwriter expresses a desire to build a snowman, further emphasizing their love for snow and winter activities.
I'd love to stay up with you but I recommend a little shuteye
The songwriter is expressing a desire to stay up all night playing in the snow but cautioning practicality and the need for some rest.
Go to sleep
The songwriter is advising the listener to go to sleep and get some rest.
And dream
The songwriter is emphasizing the enchantment and wonder of snow by encouraging the listener to dream about it.
Of snow
The songwriter is talking about snow and its magical qualities even in dreams.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: GUY DAVIS, MARK OLSEN, MIKE WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@numbcat
Lol at all the Boomers claiming we don’t make art anymore.
This is a wonderful musical except for one major and honestly unforgivable flaw: an entire scene in blackface.
And they do make great art, and you don’t seem to be self-aware. I guarantee you rich folks in the 40s and 50s were lamenting how “the theater, the theater, what’s happened to the theatre.” In fact they make fun of those people in this movie, in the song Choreography.
Don’t be one of the people this movie mocks. Art is art, and every generation of fussypants has accused every successive generation of screwing up the culture. Like for thousands of years, with documented archaeological proof of it. It’s not real. It’s a flaw in our brains. That’s why every generation keeps doing it. It’s essentially acting like a child, tho, who also love to be scared of new things. So, let’s all be grownups and just appreciate this scene for what it is: sweet. Classic. Cozy.
Leave the kid stuff on your MySpace or TikTok or whatever.
@sallykilby524
Christmas isn't Christmas without this film. It gives out such a warm vibe & makes you feel good inside. ☃️🌨️🤗💖
@terryandrews7271
I'm 70 years old I've watched this film as far back as I can remember, Merry Christmas happy New Year🎁🎁🎁
@sallykilby524
@Terry Andrews Merry Christmas to you to 🎄☃️💖
@nhmooytis7058
@Terry Andrews I’m 70 as well! A holiday tradition!
@lindapoplin4473
So true. Love this movie. It's real Christmas, and also "It's A Wonderful Life". They will never grow old. I love Rosie.
@nhmooytis7058
@Linda Poplin my fave hollday movies are WC, Holiday Inn and Die Hard 😁.
@hebneh
For years I've admired Rosemary for being able to sing the line "I wanna wash my hands, my face and hair with snow" with a straight face.
@StrandedClone
this😭
@lindapoplin4473
I love a beautiful snowfall like that, I know what she means , it's exhilarating 😁❄️❄️❄️❄️
@TheRamrod3001
Because she's actually referring to cocaine in the song.