Sandi Patty - Winter Wonderland Lyrics
Lyrics
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 a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.
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've made,
Walking in a winter wonderland.
In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the other kids knock him down.
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.
Video
Winter Wonderland
Meaning & Inspiration
Sandi Patty's rendition of "Winter Wonderland," featured on her 2014 album *Christmas Blessings*, released on October 14th of that year, invites us into a familiar landscape through the voice of a beloved artist. While the lyrics of "Winter Wonderland" are a classic celebration of the season's secular joys—snow-covered lanes, building snowmen, and shared dreams—Sandi Patty's performance on an album titled *Christmas Blessings* allows us to experience these moments with a renewed sense of gratitude and spiritual reflection. It speaks to the beauty of God's creation and the profound joy found in simple pleasures, reminding us that even the most commonplace wonders can reflect divine artistry and grace.
The song paints a vivid picture of a world transformed by snow: "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, / In the lane, snow is glistening / A beautiful sight, / We're happy tonight, / Walking in a winter wonderland." This imagery, while earthly, stirs a sense of awe and delight that points beyond itself. Such pristine beauty in creation can be seen as a direct testament to God's handiwork, echoing Psalm 19:1, which declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." The pure joy described in "We're happy tonight" is a gift, a moment of unburdened cheer that can be interpreted as a blessing from our Creator, allowing us to find peace and contentment amidst life's complexities. The experience of walking in this "winter wonderland" becomes a metaphor for finding enchantment in God's designed world, a world He deemed "very good" (Genesis 1:31).
The narrative continues with "Gone away is the bluebird, / Here to stay is a new bird / He sings a love song, / As we go along, / Walking in a winter wonderland." This transition from the old to the new, symbolized by the birds, can beautifully align with the spiritual concept of renewal. In Christ, we are promised a new creation: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The "love song" sung by the new bird can be interpreted as the ongoing melody of God's love in our lives, a consistent presence and promise as we journey through each season, fostering companionship and shared affection, much like the intimacy described in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 regarding two being better than one. Even the playful interaction about "Parson Brown" and the notion of marriage, though lighthearted, touches upon the divinely instituted desire for companionship and union, a cornerstone of human relationships designed by God.
Further into the lyrics, the song speaks of dreams and future plans: "Later on, we'll conspire, / As we dream by the fire / To face unafraid, / The plans that we've made, / Walking in a winter wonderland." This segment resonates deeply with a Christian perspective on hope and purpose. To "dream by the fire" suggests a quiet contemplation of what is to come, while "to face unafraid, the plans that we've made" speaks to courage rooted in faith. We are reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, where the Lord assures us, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This divine assurance empowers believers to approach their future with confidence, knowing that God guides their steps (Proverbs 16:9). The absence of fear in facing these plans is a hallmark of trusting in God's sovereignty and peace that "transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). The song's enduring spirit of playfulness, even with the mention of the snowman becoming a "circus clown" and being "knocked down," reflects a childlike joy and resilience that Jesus himself advocated (Matthew 18:3), finding delight in simple creations despite life's transient nature.
Ultimately, Sandi Patty's performance of "Winter Wonderland" transforms a beloved secular carol into an ode to the simple, yet profound, blessings of life that are infused with God's presence. It encourages us to open our hearts to the wonder in the everyday, to cherish companionship, and to approach the future with hope, all while recognizing the underlying hand of a loving Creator. Through her inspiring vocal delivery, this rendition invites reflection on the beauty of God's creation, the joy of human connection, and the peace found in His unchanging plans, making "Winter Wonderland" a subtly yet powerfully uplifting spiritual experience, especially in the context of Christmas.