I was listening to some freinds caroling the other day. They went into numerous holiday songs eventually singing “Winter Wonderland.” One of the song’s lines confuses me:
Who is Parson Brown and why does he care if I’m married?
He’s just an ordinary snowman looking for a job.
[qoute]
In the meadow we can build a snowman…
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown…
He’ll say “Are you married?” we’ll say “No, man…
But you can do the job when you’re in town.”
[/quote]
Just a WAG, but “Parson” is a somewhat archaic term for a Protestant minister. I believe that you would address your minister as “Parson Such-n-such.” (Think: “Reverund.”)
Therefore, you can look at this verse three ways:
[ul]
[li]The young lovers in the song, frolicking about in the Winter Wonderland, build a snowman and pretend that he is the minister at their church. In this imaginary role, he scolds the young lovers for frolicking about in the snow, outside the bounds of Holy Matrimony, by saying “Are you married?” The young lovers rebuke him with humor, saying, “No, but you can do it.”[/li][li]The young lovers… imagine the minister sharing in their glee at frolicking about in the snow. He asks, playfully, “Are you married?” The lovers respond in kind.[/li][li]The young lovers… imagine the minister just being a minister, eager for the opportunity to do what ministers do (which is, marry people (among other things)).[/li][/ul]
At least, that’s always been how I interpreted it. YMMV.
My $.02.
or:
[ul]
[li]The young lovers imagine the minister is just being a minister eager for the opportunity to do what ministers do (which is, engage in a threesome, which would be even more erotic if the couple were married).[/li][/ul]
I’ve changed the title to something more descriptive for you, and I’m moving this to Cafe Society.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator
The man was no fool
Who taught Sunday school
And dear old Parson Brown
(there’s a line that goes here, but we’re recording tonight)
In my home town
–Tom Lehrer