Ever wondered about Parson Brown in the classic winter tune, Winter Wonderland? This catchy song, written in 1934 by Richard Bernhard Smith and composed by Felix Bernard, leaves listeners curious about this mysterious character.
Parson Brown isn’t a real person! The songwriters created him to fit the storyline of the song. The word “parson” traditionally refers to a local priest, which explains the line about him marrying the couple.
So, he is the make-believe priest that the lovebirds in the song imagine officiating their future wedding.
Parson Brown Is A Fictional Priest Character In Winter Wonderland
Before delving into who Parson Brown is, verse 2 introduces him in the song:
In the meadow, we can build a snoman
We’ll 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
The lyrics paint a picture of a winter wonderland—a snowy field where two lovers, are playing. They decide to build a snowman and playfully imagine him as Parson Brown, the officiant at their future wedding.
Their make-believe scenario takes root in the meaning of “parson.” This term refers to a priest or minister, according to the Collins English Dictionary, and one of a priest’s roles is to wed couples. So, with Parson Brown, the couple creates a lighthearted image of their snowy clergyman and friend marrying them someday since he isn’t around to do it today.
See Also- Who Is Jamie McShane: Everything To Know About Him
What Did Other People Say About Who Parson Brown Is?
Parson Brown’s identity has sparked plenty of debate. Is he a real person, or a figment of the songwriter’s imagination?
Online communities like Quora and Reddit offer a glimpse into what others think. On Quora, most users agree that Parson Brown is fictional. Some see him as a playful stand-in for a future wedding officiant, while others imagine him as a traveling minister. An interesting theory suggests the lovers are simply teasing each other about marriage with their snowy priest-like creation.
One user suggests he is purely a rhyming tool, a product of “poetic license” by the songwriters.
Over on Reddit, the consensus leans towards him being the local priest. This aligns with the traditional meaning of “parson” as a clergyman.
So, while the mystery of Parson Brown stretches on, these online discussions highlight the creativity listeners bring to the song, weaving their own interpretations into the winter wonderland song.
How Did The Song Come About?
The song Winter Wonderland has a joyful sound but wasn’t created from happy thoughts. In 1934, Richard Bernhard Smith was sick with tuberculosis in a hospital. Looking at the snow outside, he remembered the fun of winter in his hometown and wrote a poem about it. This poem turned into the song Winter Wonderland.
His friend Felix Bernard, who was good at music, made a tune for the poem. The tune matched the fun winter feeling of the words. Even though the song doesn’t talk about Christmas, it became popular during the holiday season because it’s about snow and having fun in the winter.
The song became popular after Richard Himber and his orchestra recorded it in 1934. Many singers have performed it since then, making it a favorite holiday song.
When you hear this song, with its sleigh bells and shiny snow, think about its history. It’s a story about missing the old days of winter, feeling a little sad, and how music can turn a snowy place into a magical world full of memories.
Here’s The Complete Lyrics
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderlandGone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
To sing a love song
While we stroll along
Walking in a winter wonderlandIn the meadow, we can build a snowman
We’ll 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 townLater on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderlandIn the meadow, we can build a snowman
We’ll pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say, are you ready?
We’ll say, no man
But you can do the job when you’re in townLater on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
The plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
