The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Winter Wonderland
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
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
Walking in the winter wonderland
Walking in the winter wonderland
The Ames Brothers' song Winter Wonderland is a classic holiday tune that is cherished by audiences of all ages. The song begins with the lyrics "Sleigh bells ring are you listening, In the lane snow is glistening," setting the scene for a vivid winter landscape. The lyrics continue to describe the wonderful sights and sounds of winter and express the joy and happiness of being out on a walk in a winter wonderland. The song describes the shift from one season to another, as the bluebird has gone away, and a new bird, who sings a love song, has taken residence.
The song then transitions into describing other activities one can enjoy during the winter season, such as building a snowman and pretending he is Parson Brown. The snowman asks if "you are married," to which the answer is "no man." The plans made by the couple, dreaming by the fire, are to "face unafraid," walking in the winter wonderland. Overall, the song is a cheerful and carefree representation of the winter season, and the joys that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring are you listening
Listen to the sound of the sleigh bells ringing
In the lane snow is glistening
The snow in the lane is shining in the light
A beautiful sight we're happy tonight
It's such a beautiful sight, making us happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
We're walking in a magical winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
The bluebird has flown away
Here to stay is a new bird
A new bird has arrived and is here to stay
He sings a love song as we go along
The new bird sings a love song as we walk
Walking in the winter wonderland
We're still walking in the magical winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
We can build a snowman in the meadow
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
Let's pretend the snowman is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?"
Parson Brown will ask, "Are you married?"
We'll say, "No man but you can do the job
When you're in town"
We'll say, "No one else, but you can do the job, when you're around"
Later on we'll conspire
Later on, we'll make secret plans
As we dream by the fire
As we dream by the fire's warmth
To face unafraid the plans that we made
We'll face our plans unafraid
Walking in the winter wonderland
We're still walking in the magical winter wonderland
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jeremy Stuart Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
VictrolaJazz
Beautiful version of this Christmas classic!