Story Behind The Song

I am an avid cross-country skier (skinny ski). One day in December 2013 there was a beautiful early snow fall. I went out and the snow was sparkling all around. I was trying to find a rhyme for a Norwegian word I had just learned, "Tesscorahah" and the poem "A Bright, Cold Sunny Day" was born. Later that summer I met Pat Lane Diaz in my neighborhood and she agreed to draw the illustrations. I self published the paperback later the following year.

Song Description

Most adults as well as many children have a natural aversion to remaining outside during the cold winter months especially in the northern temperate zones above the 43rd parallel. However, there is so much life that still goes on in the natural world far away from fireplaces, furnaces, car heaters and radiators. Real life in the winter usually takes a back seat to invented life on TV and computer screens but it doesn't have to. "A Bright, Cold Sunny Day" tells the story of that "real" life in poetry and illustrations from the perspective of very young children who still yearn for real life experiences even during the bleakest of cold winter days. It encourages everyone to "get outside" and experience the physical joy of skiing, tobogganing, skating, sledding or just going for a walk in the woods. But what a myriad world of life awaits the brave sojourner if one is patient and inquisitive. The picture book, "A Bright, Cold Sunny Day" introduces the reader to many of the animals who stay awake and inhabit the winter forests "Up North". The lovable characters of a woodland vole, a raccoon, a ruffed grouse, a beautiful cardinal, a singing robin and a wise old owl come to life through the magic of JG Lightborne's musical poetry and Pat Lane Diaz' gorgeous illustrations. "A Bright, Cold Sunny Day" will surely become a source of winter enjoyment for many years to come.

Lyrics

A BRIGHT, COLD SUNNY DAY
by JG Lightborne
Wearing long-tail hats sporting tassels and bells
And our winter clothes festive and gay.
The sun is up and the whole world is white
We can't wait to get outside and play.
Then without any warning the snow starts a' falling.
It covers our fingers and toes.
Like a soft, white blanket it gives us a hug.
And tickles our cheeks like a spidery bug.

Hooray! Hooray! It's a bright, cold sunny day!
Let's get outside and into the snow to play!
There's a soft breeze singing in the pinewood trees.
Better wear your long-johns or you might freeze!
Put on your boots and grab your skis,
We're off to have some fun!
Hooray! Hooray! It's a bright, cold sunny day!

Now Vinnie the Vole is taking a stroll
His coat is fuzzy and warm.
While Reba Raccoon sings a twittering tune,
Our friends love to perform.
Gregor the Grouse flies out of his house
He's dressed in the latest high fashion.
But Carlito Cardinal's fiery red coat
is really quite an attraction!
Hooray! Hooray! It's a bright, cold sunny day!

As we glide along we can all hear the song
Of the robins singing: "Oh, La Tee Dah".
Up a steep hill we climb until we schuss down the backside,
Shouting, "Hooray" and "Tesscorahah"
The sky is so blue, our troubles are few,
Our cheeks have a nice rosy glow.
The air is so cold that we'll never grow old
As we ride on these ribbons of snow

Ice crystals are dancing in the new - made snow
They sashay and sparkle like diamonds so bright.
How they twinkle, how they glow,
They're like stars, on a clear and cold Milky Way night.

If we're still having fun as the day is near done,
Look closely, you might find a clue.
High up in a pine tree an owl asks politely
"whoo, whoo , whoo...... are .....you " ?
It's not really a riddle to stay fit as a fiddle,
You must move every day of the year.
Come on, let's celebrate! Winter is great!
Go skiing; the snow is now here!!

Hooray! Hooray! It's a bright, cold sunny day!
Let's get outside and into the snow to play!
There's a soft breeze singing in the pinewood trees.
Better wear your long-johns or you might freeze!
Put on your boots and grab your skis,
We're off to have some fun!
Hooray! Hooray! It's a bright, cold sunny day!