We’re walking in the air
We’re floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly
I’m holding very tight
I’m riding in the midnight blue
I’m finding I can fly so high above with you
Far across the world
The villages go by like trees
The rivers and the hills
The forests and the streams
Children gaze open mouth
Taken by surprise
Nobody down below believes their eyes
We’re surfing in the air
We’re swimming in the frozen sky
We’re drifting over icy mountains floating by
Suddenly swooping low on an ocean deep
Arousing of a mighty monster from its sleep
We’re walking in the air
We’re dancing in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly
Behind the Lyrics: Meaning & Story
“Walking in the Air” is the centerpiece of the 1982 British animated classic The Snowman. Written and composed by Howard Blake, the song provides the soundtrack to the magical journey where a young boy and his snowman fly to the North Pole.
While often associated with Aled Jones (who recorded a successful chart-topping cover in 1985), the original vocals in the film were performed by St. Paul’s Cathedral choirboy Peter Auty. Interestingly, Auty was not originally credited in the film’s opening titles, a correction that was only made in later anniversary editions.
The song is celebrated for its ethereal, haunting quality, capturing both the wonder of childhood imagination and the fleeting, bittersweet nature of the snowman’s existence. It has since become a holiday staple in the United Kingdom and around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually sang the original version in the movie?
The original film version was sung by choirboy Peter Auty. Aled Jones later sang the version used for the 1985 single release.
Who wrote “Walking in the Air”?
The song was written and composed entirely by English composer Howard Blake.
When was The Snowman first released?
The Snowman premiered on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom on December 26, 1982.
