Christmas Music: Sleigh Ride

Chanson de Christmas:  Sleigh Ride – Promenade en Traineau

Origin

Sleigh Ride, also known as Promenade en pouleau, is a musical piece composed in 1946 by Leroy Anderson. The idea for this piece came to him during the month of July of that year, during a heat wave. However, it was not until February 1948 that he completed his work. The lyrics were written by Mitchell Paris two years later, in 1950.

The instrumental version of Sleigh Ride was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Two subsequent versions were also recorded by the Boston Pops Orchestra, with John Williams, conductor from 1979 to 1995, and Keith Lockhart, current conductor. Leroy Anderson himself recorded the version he composed in 1950.

Although Sleigh Ride is often associated with Christmas, the song's lyrics make no reference to the religious holiday. In fact, the mention of "pumpkin pie" in the last verse suggests an association with Thanksgiving.

Selon l’ASCAP (Société américaine des compositeurs, auteurs et éditeurs), Sleigh Ride se classe régulièrement dans le Top 10 de la plupart des chansons interprétées au cours de la période de Noël à travers le monde entier. Et selon l’auteur Steve Metcalf, Sleigh Ride a été joué et enregistré par un plus large éventail de musiciens que n’importe quel autre dans toute l’histoire de la musique occidentale.

Many artists and orchestras have performed and interpreted the famous Sleigh Ride. These include Bing Crosby, the Andrew Sisters, Ferrante & Teicher, Johnny Mathis, Ray Conniff, Ella Fitzgerald, the Ronettes, and Andy Williams. More recently, Kenny G, Andre Rieu, Spice Girls, Garth Brooks, and Chicago have all performed their own versions.

Roch Voisine, Céline Dion, Ginette Reno, Fernand Gignac and Carmen Campagne are just a few of the many Quebec artists who have recorded the popular song "Promenade en sleigh" (Sleigh Ride).

Video of some performances of the song

Sleigh Ride by a 10-year-old girl

Sleigh Ride by Celine Dion

Ginette Reno Sleigh Ride

Orchestra – Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride with Lyrics

Lyrics French version

The horse goes off at a trot
With its bells
And the sleigh joyfully rolls down
Across the hillsides.

In the valley winter clings
But the sky is blue
Ah! How good it is to take a walk in the fresh air
Like lovers.

Ho di up ho di up ho di up ohé, ohé of the sleigh
Wrap up warm in your coats
Ho di up ho di up ho di up ohé, to keep warm
We cuddle up against each other
Like two sparrows in a nest.

It's wonderful to see it parade
Like a painted decor
Before our eyes the white villages
And the little fir trees.
Sometimes you scream because it leans a little
It's the moment of terror
I smile, my heart is in love
And the tip of the nose is cold.

The hitch has already taken
the way back
We will be surprised
By the fall of day
For it is the hour when the night
Without noise flourishes
Like a flower
And the sky lights up
Which changes color.

But here is our house
Who waves to us from afar
Its light on the horizon
Shimmers like a dot.
I already see myself near you
Laughter in the eyes, a happy heart
Near the big wood fire
Which is burning and waiting for us.

The horse goes off at a trot
With its bells
And the sleigh joyfully rolls down
Across the hillsides.

In the valley winter clings
But the sky is blue
Ah! How good it is to take a walk in the fresh air
Like lovers.

English version lyrics

Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing
Ring ting tingle-ing too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling “You Hoo”
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap let's go
Let's look at the snow
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap it's big
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with the song of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take the road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop
Pop! Pop! Pop!

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives