About the Song
Album: Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present
Released: 1973
When you think of Merle Haggard, you probably think of Bakersfield grit, working-class ballads, and a voice steeped in truth and tradition. But in 1973, Haggard gave fans a gift they didn’t quite expect — a holiday album titled Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present, featuring his heartfelt rendition of the seasonal staple, “Winter Wonderland.”
While the song itself — first penned in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith — has been interpreted by countless artists over the decades, Merle Haggard’s version brings something uniquely his own: a gentle ruggedness, the voice of a man who’s seen hard times but still finds comfort in the simple joys of winter.
With a laid-back tempo and soft honky-tonk arrangement, Haggard’s take feels like a fireside gathering in a small-town home, where the snow may fall just outside the window, but the warmth inside is undeniable. His vocal delivery is unpretentious and tender, never straying too far from the spirit of country music — where stories matter and sincerity is everything.
There’s no gloss or glitter here, no elaborate choirs or sweeping strings. Instead, Haggard leans into the natural charm of the melody, giving it that down-home ease that only he could. It’s a version that feels like your grandfather humming along while stringing up lights, or a memory pulled straight from an old Christmas card.
“Winter Wonderland,” in the hands of Merle Haggard, becomes more than a festive tune — it becomes a cozy reminder of holiday moments that are slow, sincere, and rooted in love. It’s Christmas as it should be: honest, homespun, and wrapped in the warmth of a voice that knew how to tell a story — even in the snow.