Christmas time is fast approaching and so are my Christmas / Holiday concerts. This years set list includes eight seasonal favorites, including today's feature.
You may not realize that this cheerful, uplifting and inspiring song was written by one who was facing a very difficult situation.
Richard Smith was a patient in the West Mountain Sanitarium when he wrote the poem in 1934. Richard Smith was being treated for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was also called consumption. It was a highly contagious disease that primarily affected the lungs but also caused other body tissue to waste away. It was the most common cause of death throughout the 19th century.
While being treated, Smith entered contests for jingles and ads for companies. Richard Smith’s sister, Marjorie W. Smith, claimed her brother was inspired by the beauty of the freshly fallen snow in the park when he wrote the “Winter Wonderland” poem.
Richard Smith showed his “Winter Wonderland” poem to his friend and musician, Felix Bernard. Bernard was so moved by his friend's poem that he set it to music and the song was recorded by Guy Lombardo and his orchestra. The composition has to date been recorded by numerous artists from various genres.
When I play Winter Wonderland, I am reminded that no matter how hopeless matters may seem, there are always moments to inspire and encourage us, when we become aware of them.
Enjoy the song.
Morris