I was reading the Guardian this evening when I saw a small feature about the ten best Christmas songs. Clicking on the link, I recognized all of the songs, except one.
It’s called “Walking in the Air” and it didn’t sound like any Christmas song that I was familiar with. It’s from the 1982 short animated film, “The Snowman”, based on Raymond Briggs’s book, The Snowman.
It’s a lovely little piece, and I hope you take a few minutes to watch and listen. The song is just beautiful and a little melancholy.
I love finding new things.
Personally I would vote for Yoko Ono's song -Listen the snow is Falling ' and the Lennon classic And so this is Christmas War is over
ReplyDeleteCharming animation
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favourite Christmas pieces and one of my favourite Christmas films!
ReplyDeleteAngela
So sweet... thank you Meg... xv
ReplyDeleteSweet song. Bill recognized it immediately, but I've never heard it before. Then again, I wasn't here in the 80s and we don't watch much TV - even less this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh, sung by the very Welsh Aled Jones! It's playing non-stop here in the UK :-)
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Thank you for posting - such happy memories of watching it with my son when he was little. I think Charlotte Church did a cover as well, but I love Aled Jones best.
ReplyDeleteHi Meg, This is so sweet. The music is gorgeous and I've heard it before; I didn't know that it was a Christmas song. Thank you --now this tune will run through my head for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about this lovely song. My husband will not be home for Christmas so it brought some tears while watching it. Here is my all time favorite British Christmas song and video..."Wish I had a home for Christmas."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yC-tLBSDeA
Love the slight menace of the tune.
ReplyDeleteMy fave is "Carol of the Bells," which has an ominous undertone I enjoy.
So utterly charming! I adored the singers voice and the animation of the film. All new to me and I thank you so much for sharing this very sweet piece. I intend to save it and will watch it again and again. The song IS indeed a bit haunting....all the better!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard "Walking in the Air" until I lived in London and actually lived in the very same building as Howard Blake, the composer. I very quickly discovered what a big deal the song is in England and I will never forget how I stuck my foot in my mouth when my landlady told me who one of my neighbors was!
ReplyDelete"The Snowman" has been a favorite for years. Why can't Americans think up wonderful things like that?
ReplyDeleteA sweet and fond reminder of watching The Snowman with my children in frozen Maryland winters.
ReplyDeleteToday I heard for the first time "A Spaceman Came Travelling" by the Irish Chris de Burgh, surprisingly provocative and compelling.
It reminds me of something Nicki Minaj would sing.
ReplyDeleteGranted, not a song the choir belts out at church after Joy to the World, but it is my all-time favorite Christmas song nonetheless. So mysterious- it always reminds me of how I felt as a child on Christmas Eve. It's the song you play where you're alone in front of the fire late at night with no lights except the Christmas tree, a hot toddy and the dog lying on your feet.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the video. I had not seen that for years and it's just as touching as I remember. I just love the music (that voice!), though the animation amazing, too.
ReplyDeleteMy children and I have loved the video and music all these many years. What a shame someone has replaced Peter Auty singing the song on this video. I suggest downloading the original song from iTunes. It's absolutely beautiful.
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