Wednesday, December 1, 2021 by Mary O'Connor | holiday

I've always liked Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride as a secular Christmas song :)  

It's not technically a Christmas song since the words never mention Christmas but it's often played now so it seems like a way to ease into the season. 

Anderson had the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946;  he finished the work in February 1948.  Lyrics, about a person who would like to ride in a sleigh on a winter's day with another person, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950. 

The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops Orchestra. The song was a hit record and has become the equivalent of a signature song for the orchestra. 

A fun arrangement has been made for piano duet.  I have copies here for loan and it's available on amazon  (of course! What isn't?) and I have copies available at the studio.

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