A Picture Print by Currier and Ives

A Picture Print by Currier and Ives

Origins of the print mentioned in Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride"

by Ray Rojas

I was listening to Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and I had always been curious about the last verse in which the song sings:

“There’s a happy feeling nothing in the

World can buy

When they pass around the coffee and

The pumpkin pie.

It’ll nearly be like a picture print by

Currier and Ives.

These wonderful things are the things

We remember all through our lives.

Here's a great arrangement of Mel Torme singing "Sleigh Ride":

Specifically, who are Currer and Ives?

Leroy Anderson

“Sleigh Ride” was composed between July 1946 and February 1948 by Leroy Anderson, however, the lyrics were not written until 1950 by Mitchell Parish of “Star Dust,” “Stars Fell on Alabama,” and “Sophisticated Lady” fame (lyrics only).

He also wrote the English lyrics to “Volare” and “Moonlight Serenade.” He even claimed to have written the lyrics to Ellington’s “Moon Indigo.”

Lyricist Mitchell Parish

My question regarding this song was what is a “picture print by Currier and Ives.” I was certain that it must be some mid-20^th Century reference, but it goes back father than that.

It was more of a late-19^th Century reference to the firm of Currier and Ives who produced lithographs that were hand painted in color. Being lithographs, they were massed reproduced from 1835 to 1907.

The company started using the name “Currier and Ives” in 1857. The company described itself as "Publishers of Cheap and Popular Prints.” Over 7500 prints were made in the company’s 72-year history.

They liked to produce pictures of winter scenes.

In 1935, Bernard Herrmann composed a full orchestra piece called the “Currier and Ives Suite.”

Being that these pictures were mass produced, it was not out of the ordinary that Parish would draw this analogy to the dessert gathering of a family sitting for pumpkin pie.

DISCLAIMER: Owner of photo or photos above is unknown. Infringement is not intentional and photo is used for educational purposes only with in the Fair Use clause of Section 107 of the Copyright Act. We will will be obliged any take down request under the DMCA.