Winter Wonderland . . . the story behind the song

What a lovely, up-beat song! It is a song that just makes you feel good and think about Christmas. It is truly a joyful song ………. but the story behind it is anything but joyful.

In a particularly long and cold winter in the early 1930’s, a young man named Richard Smith who had been suffering from the then still widespread and devastating disease on tuberculosis (T. B.) found himself in a home in Pennsylvania recovering from yet another bout of the deadly infection.  Days were long, spent in the comfort of his room inside a sanatorium, daydreaming about a normal and healthy life that would enable him to play outside in the snow like the children he was observing through his window.  That innocent scene inspired him to write a beautiful poem invoking the carefree fun of a day in the snow. Smith even worked a bit of local flavor into his poem when he mentioned “Parson Brown” – a reference to parsons, or independent priests of the Protestant faith who were not associated with any specific parishes or churches.  Back in those days, they often traveled through the country-side performing interdenominational services and ceremonies when nobody else was available to do so.

Happy with the results, Smith showed the lyrics to his friend and musician Felix Bernard in 1934.  Touched by his sick friend’s lovely poem, which clearly expressed his desire to flee the limitations his illness had put upon him, Bernard immediately set to work at composing a melody to go with words.  Sadly, Smith never really saw the fruits of his work as he passed away ravaged by the disease at the young age of 34, a year after Bernard wrote the unforgettable music to Smith’s poem.

Felix Bernard, however enjoyed much fame in the years following what would be the first of countless recordings.  Born Felix William Bernard in 1897 in New York City, he was a child prodigy playing the piano and after completing his musical education earned a living by composing pieces for various vaudeville establishments as well as accompanying orchestras on the piano.  Eventually, he founded his own band.  He died in 1944.

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