Come The Winter Snow

"Come, the Winter Snow" was the first holiday song I wrote, and it is still my favorite. Early in December of 2007, I was in the basement of my college dorm, practicing piano. I was mostly playing Chopin at the time, and all of a sudden I felt the urge to write something for the holidays, which were right around the corner. The first thing I began playing was what eventually became the piano introduction to "Come, the Winter Snow".

Though it may not seem like it, the piano introduction still has that improvisational feeling to me. The left hand was playing a simple pattern, with a descending bass note –first chromatic and then diatonic – all the way to the supertonic, to the dominant, and then from there to the tonic. In the right hand, I was playing something to go with that simple, rocking motion. What I got was a lot livelier but still mellow, or tender. Together, the sound came off as peaceful, and reminiscent. When playing it, the image that came to my mind was a snowfall outside; a soft, quiet fall. With that thought, I wrote the opening lyric, 'Come, the winter snow'. After that opening, the rest of the song came to me handily, and I finished the piece in about two days.

There have been many revisions from then until now, but the overall feel of the piece is exactly the same. When I hear it now on a high-quality recording, I can still see the snow falling, and I get that feeling of Christmas, but the less realized side of Christmas. On one hand, Christmas is about glamorous decorations, giving gifts, and celebrating with friends and family. But on the other, it is about being at peace with loved ones by your side, watching the snowfall and thinking about the passing year. "Come, the Winter Snow" has that feel.

The singer in this recording is my sister Marisa Buchheit. Many thanks, Marisa! You did a wonderful job. I also extend thanks to Elton Smith for posting my song. - Joe, November 24, 2009.

Joe Buchheit

Recording by Joe and Marisa Buchheit mp3

Come, the winter snow
And cleanse the world
With white light shine upon us
So keep falling on our land
And show the world new life
Christmas snow pure and white
And no one who can not see
Christmas time love the snow
And share the warmth of it with ev'ry one you know

Home the place winter's warm
The place where snow and cold are decorations
So keep calling Mom and Dad
And sing a song with them
It's the time of year
And no one not caroling
Christmas time love the snow
And share the warmth of it with ev'ry one you know

Cold the bitter winter snow
All men will live with help from his brothers
So keep falling
We will live on
Come winter snow fall on Earth
We celebrate our life
For ev'ry one its worth

And show the world new life
Christmas snow pure and white
And no one who can not see
Christmas time love the snow
And share the warmth of it with ev'ry one you know

Copyright © 2009 Joe Buchheit

Comments  ( Leave a comment) View all comments for this song
Sorry it took so long, Thanks Bob! I'll let my sister know what you said Joe Buchheit 2010-03-15
Lovely Classical Christmas piece - well composed and performed Joe and Marisa Bob Forbes 2009-11-28

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