⛄Who is Frosty the Snowman?⛄

The following video provides a brief history of the character, Frosty the Snowman. Get the Christmas workbook

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Frosty the Snowman is a loveable character that has endeared himself to generations of people. But where did Frosty come from? And when did he become so popular?

Frosty the Snowman was originally a song, sung by Gene Autry. Autry had recorded “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” the previous Christmas and was searching for another holiday hit. As luck would have it, he was sent a song written by Steve Nelson and Walter “Jack” Rollins. The song was “Frosty the Snowman”.

The song tells the tale of a fictional snowman that magically comes to life after children place a hat on his head. He has fun with the children who created him throughout the day, but eventually, the bright sun becomes too much for him. Frosty leaves, assuring the children that he'll “be back again someday!”

In 1950, this instant holiday classic reached #7 on the pop charts. That same year, Little Golden Books released a children’s book titled Frosty the Snow Man, which was based on the song.

However, Frosty did not permanently entrench himself into the Christmas season until 1969. That year, Rankin/Bass produced an animated Christmas special featuring the magical snowman. Frosty the Snowman featured the voices of Jimmy Durante as the narrator and Jackie Vernon as the title character. The program aired on CBS, and it is still broadcast once a year on that same network (meaning it has been shown every year for over forty years!)

TV Guide once ranked Frosty the Snowman at #4 on its list of Top Ten Best Family Holiday Specials. It has also produced a number of sequels including Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Frosty Returns, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, and The Legend of Frosty the Snowman.

Not everyone is a fan of Frosty, though. Since there is no actual reference to Christmas in the song, many feel that Frosty is merely a winter-based character and not a genuine icon of the Christmas season. His inclusion in the Christmas season has caused some to criticize the snowman and made him a surprisingly controversial figure amongst those who fear that Christmas is losing its religious significance.

Despite this minor controversy, Frosty lives on. Depictions of Frosty can be found on sweatshirts, hats, coffee mugs, ornaments, stuffed toys, and countless other items. There is no doubt that Frosty will remain a prominent figure on the Christmas landscape for years to come.

Lyrics:

Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul,

With a corn cob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made of coal.

Frosty the Snowman, is a fairytale, they say.

He was made of snow, but the children know he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found,

For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!

Oh, Frosty, the Snowman, was alive as he could be;

and the children say he could laugh and play,

just the same as you and me.

Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,

look at Frosty go.

Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,

over the hills of snow.

Frosty the Snowman, knew the sun was hot that day,

so he said, "Let's run, and we'll have some fun now, before I melt away."

Down to the village, with a broomstick in his hand,

Running here and there, all around the square,

sayin', "Catch me if you can."

He led them down the streets of town, right to the traffic cop;

and only paused a moment, when he heard him holler, "Stop!"

For Frosty, the Snowman, had to hurry on his way,

But he waved goodbye, sayin' "Don't cry, I'll be back again some day."