Walking in a Winter Wonderland

 by Shanna Hatfield

We've all heard the song about walking in a winter wonderland. Although it gets stuffed into the Christmas category, it's technically just a song about winter. 

A man named Richard Smith wrote a poem in 1934. At the time, he was in the West Mountain Sanitarium in Pennsylvania, being treated for tuberculosis. While there, he entered contests for jingles and ads for various companies. 

Inspired the beauty of freshly fallen snow outside his window, he penned "Winter Wonderland." 

Later that year, Smith showed his poem to a friend, Felix Bernard. He was a musician who saw promise in Smith's poem. Bernard decided to compose a melody to go along with the poem.

Tragically, Smith passed away in 1935, at the age of just 34. Some say he passed away before he could hear the song. Others say he got to listen to Guy Lombard and his orchestra perform the song the Christmas before he died. 

The beauty of the song inspired me to write a book called Winter Wonderland Romance. The story is about a doctor who returns to her hometown (albeit reluctantly) to take over the medical practice there, and a veteran who needs a quiet place to sort out his life while dealing with PTSD. 

In the book, Alex and Olivia even discuss the song's origins, so I thought I'd include the scene below:

 

Olivia felt like she and Alex strolled through a winter wonderland. Unable to stop herself, she started to hum the tune to “Winter Wonderland.”

 “‘Winter Wonderland,’ right? Seems rather appropriate at the moment. Let’s see. We’ve heard sleigh bells ringing. We’re strolling down a sun-glistening lane. We saw a new bird, if turkeys count.” Alex smirked at her. “But if we build a snowman and he offers to marry us, I’m going to assume my meds are doing weird things and heading home.”

Olivia laughed. “Okay. That’s fair enough. Do you know the history of the song?” she asked as they walked across the footbridge.

Alex shifted the leash from his left hand to his right as he grabbed on to the railing.

“You okay?” Olivia asked, as Alex kept his gaze on his feet.

“Just a little dizzy. No biggie.” Alex glanced up as they stepped off the footbridge.

Olivia stopped and gave him a moment to regain his equilibrium. She wanted to pepper him with a bunch of questions only a physician would ask, but instead she silently stood beside him.

“Thanks,” Alex said a moment later, then motioned to a footpath visible through the snow where others had walked along the banks of the creek.

“You mentioned the history of the song. What do you know?” Alex asked as they walked along the snowy path.

“The words were written by Richard Smith, who was known as Dick. He died young, at age 32, from tuberculosis. ‘Winter Wonderland’ was the most famous of the songs he wrote. Felix Bernard, a World War I veteran, was a professional pianist. He composed the music. Supposedly, Mr. Smith was looking out the window at the snowy landscape of a Pennsylvania park in 1934 when the beauty of the scene inspired him to pen the words for the song. It was the opening song at the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show, and was used by Guy Lombardo with the Royal Canadians in the Ziegfeld Follies. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that the part with the circus clown was added.”

Alex grinned at her. “Quite a connoisseur of winter romance songs, aren’t you?”

Olivia laughed. “Not in the least. I had to write a report about the song my sophomore year, and for whatever reason, the details stuck with me. Probably because you can’t help but hear the song dozens of times during the holiday season.”

“It’s odd, though, isn’t it, that there isn’t a single mention of Christmas in the song, but it is such a popular holiday tune.” Alex smiled. “I think it should get to stand on its own as a winter song.”

Olivia’s foot slipped on a hidden patch of ice, and she clung to Alex’s arm, feeling the muscles bunch as he reached out with his free hand. She squeezed it with appreciation, then let it go as they continued on their stroll. “Isn’t a winter wonderland romance as elusive as that new bird in the song?”

Alex shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. I suppose it depends on who you ask..."

While I was writing the story, I listened to various versions of the song, but my favorite by far is the one by Dolly Parton. 

What's your favorite version of the tune?

~*~

USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with heart, humor, hope, and hunky heroes. When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

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