Winter Wonderland

• By: Michael Bublé
• Album: Christmas (Deluxe Special Edition)

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
ring /rɪŋ/ A2	verb - to make a clear resonant sound noun - a circular object
listen /ˈlɪsən/ A1	verb - to pay attention to sound
snow /snoʊ/ A1	noun - frozen precipitation verb - to fall as snow
glisten /ˈɡlɪsən/ B2	verb - to shine with a sparkling light
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfʊl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically
happy /ˈhæpi/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
winter /ˈwɪntər/ A1	noun - the coldest season of the year
wonderland /ˈwʌndərlænd/ B1	noun - an imaginary place of strange or delightful things
gone /ɡɒn/ A2	adjective - past; over
stay /steɪ/ A1	verb - to remain in a place
sing /sɪŋ/ A1	verb - to make musical sounds with the voice
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - an intense feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
stroll /stroʊl/ B2	verb - walk in a leisurely way noun - a leisurely walk
meadow /ˈmedoʊ/ B1	noun - a field of grass
build /bɪld/ A1	verb - construct something
pretend /prɪˈtend/ B1	verb - to behave as if something is true when it is not
dream /driːm/ A2	verb - to experience images or sensations during sleep noun - a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - combustion or burning
unafraid /ˌʌnəˈfreɪd/ B2	adjective - not afraid; fearless
plans /plænz/ A2	noun - a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something

Grammar:

• Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?

  ➔ Present continuous tense with an omitted auxiliary verb ('are'). Informal contraction 'listenin'' for 'listening'.

  ➔ The sentence is grammatically incomplete but understandable in a song context. The complete sentence would be 'Are you listening?'. The omission of 'are' is common in informal speech and song lyrics. Using 'listenin'' instead of 'listening' adds to the informal tone.

• In the lane, snow is glistenin'.

  ➔ Present continuous tense ('is glistenin'') used to describe an ongoing action or state. The contraction 'glistenin'' is an informal substitute for 'glistening'.

  ➔ The present continuous highlights the ongoing nature of the snow's glistening. Using 'glistenin'' adds to the informal and playful tone of the song.

• Gone away is the bluebird

  ➔ Inversion. The subject 'the bluebird' comes after the verb 'is'. This is for emphasis or poetic effect.

  ➔ Normal word order would be 'The bluebird is gone away'. The inverted order places emphasis on the fact that the bluebird has departed, highlighting the shift in seasons.

• Here to stay is a new bird

  ➔ Another example of inversion. Similar to the previous line, 'a new bird' (subject) comes after 'is' (verb) for emphasis.

  ➔ The inversion highlights the arrival of the 'new bird,' contrasting it with the 'bluebird' that has departed, again emphasizing seasonal change and perhaps new beginnings.

• We'll pretend that he is Parson Brown

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood ('is' instead of 'was') after 'pretend'. Although in modern English this is often replaced by the indicative mood ('was'), the subjunctive is still grammatically correct and adds a slightly more formal or literary tone.

  ➔ The subjunctive mood suggests a hypothetical or imagined scenario. While 'We'll pretend that he *was* Parson Brown' is also acceptable, 'We'll pretend that he *is* Parson Brown' emphasizes the present act of pretending.

• He'll say, "Are ya married?"

  ➔ Informal contraction 'ya' for 'you'. The use of 'ya' contributes to the casual and conversational tone of the song.

  ➔ 'Ya' is a very common informal pronunciation of 'you' and is used to make the dialogue sound more realistic and approachable.

• But you can do the job when you're in town

  ➔ Use of 'can' to express ability or possibility. Contraction 'you're' for 'you are'.

  ➔ 'Can' indicates the Parson Brown (snowman) is capable of performing the marriage ceremony, if he were a real parson and not a snowman. The 'you're' simplifies the sentence for a smoother rhythm.

• Later on, we'll conspire

  ➔ Future simple tense ('we'll conspire') using the contraction 'we'll' for 'we will'.

  ➔ The future simple indicates a planned or expected action in the future. The contraction 'we'll' makes the sentence sound more conversational and less formal.