Winter Wonderland
Ray Charles Lyrics


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Sleigh bells 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 a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walkin' in a winter wonderland

In a meadow we can build a snowman
And 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"

When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
Though your nose get a little chillin'?
We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way, walkin' in a winter wonderland

In a meadow we can build a snowman
And 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 in town, brother"

Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we made
Walkin' in a winter wonderland

Oh, walk on, mm-hmm




Let's frolic and play the Eskimo way, walkin' in a winter wonderland
Come on, walk it, hmm, get on

Overall Meaning

Winter Wonderland is a classic Christmas song that paints a vivid picture of a romantic and playful winter landscape. The opening line, "Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'" sets the tone for the song, evoking the sound of jingling bells on a horse-drawn sleigh. The next line, "In the lane, snow is glist'nin'," describes the snowy scene in which the song's protagonists find themselves. The imagery throughout the song is full of wonder and magic, from building snowmen to playing "the Eskimo way."


The second verse introduces a new bird that has arrived with the winter season, replacing the bluebird that has flown away. This new bird sings a love song as the couple walks in the winter wonderland. The idea of pretending a snowman is a certain character - Parson Brown - brings a sense of playful imagination to the song. The playful theme continues with the idea of frolicking and playing the Eskimo way, which speaks to the fun and carefree nature that the winter season can bring.


The final verse looks ahead to the future, as the couple dream by the fire and make plans for the upcoming year. The song ends with a lively invitation to continue walking and playing in the wonderland.


Line by Line Meaning

Sleigh bells ring, are you list'nin'?
Can you hear the sound of the sleigh bells ringing?


In the lane, snow is glist'nin'
The snow in the path is sparkling.


A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
The scenery around us is lovely and it brings us joy.


Walkin' in a winter wonderland
As we walk, we are surrounded by the beautiful winter wonderland.


Gone away is the bluebird
The bluebird has left and gone somewhere else for the winter.


Here to stay is a new bird
A new bird has arrived and is staying for the winter.


He sings a love song as we go along
As we walk, the bird sings a sweet love song.


Walkin' in a winter wonderland
We keep walking and enjoying the winter scenery.


In a meadow we can build a snowman
We can make a snowman in the meadow.


And pretend that he is Parson Brown
We can imagine that the snowman is a person named Parson Brown.


He'll say, "Are you married?", we'll say, "no, man
The snowman will 'ask' us if we are married and we'll answer no.


But you can do the job when you're in town"
We'll reply that he can perform the ceremony if he comes to town.


When it snows, ain't it thrillin'
It's exciting when it snows.


Though your nose get a little chillin'?
Do our noses get cold?


We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way, walkin' in a winter wonderland
We'll have fun playing in the snow, just like Eskimos do.


Later on we'll conspire
Later, we'll make some secret plans.


As we dream by the fire
As we sit and dream in front of the fire.


To face unafraid the plans that we made
We won't be scared to carry out the plans we made.


Walkin' in a winter wonderland
We'll keep walking in the winter wonderland.


Oh, walk on, mm-hmm
We'll keep walking, yes indeed.


Let's frolic and play the Eskimo way, walkin' in a winter wonderland
Let's have fun playing in the snow the way Eskimos do while walking in the winter wonderland.


Come on, walk it, hmm, get on
Keep it up, let's go.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Ariella Jaffe

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking 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
Walking in a winter wonderland!

[Chorus]
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!"

[Verse 2]
Later on we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we made
Walking in a winter wonderland!

[Chorus]
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!

[Outro]
When it snows, ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling?
We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland!
Walking in a winter wonderland!
(Walking in a winter wonderland!)
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
(Walking in a winter wonderland!)
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
(Walking in a winter wonderland!)
Are you listening?
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
(Walking in a winter wonderland!)
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
Sleigh bells ring



All comments from YouTube:

Doug Hiatt

best version ever... undisputed

Neil Colosimo

True , best groove of this song! The Rhodes piano sound just makes it sound so good!

Anthony Harris

Amen!

Luke Byrnes

John Legend does a great version as well.

fatima washington

... Ever!

psykomystro

Yessir!!!

Cliff Heard

Watched Elf last night with the family. It brought me here. Another one to add to my Christmas soundtrack.......Happy holidays to everyone!!

Lula Gladden

Best version of this song, hands down!

Tom Thedutchguy

Ray Charles will always be one of my favourite recording artist whom ever lived

Eva Adams

Along with Aretha! The king & Queen!

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