Day 11 - Sleigh Ride (In The Sky)

 Day 11 - Sleigh Ride (In The Sky)

Sleigh Ride (In The Sky) - play song on Bandcamp 

Written initially for my imaginary Balham, south London-based band from 1971 - 'Valentina Way'. 

Valentina Way Bandcamp

During the COVID-19 pandemic, comedian Arfur Smith, the self-proclaimed Night Mayor of all Balham, used to hold regular imaginary expeditions throughout the world, where his social media followers would consider where they'd be, who they'd be with and what they'd do if free from the restrictions of the pandemic.

I participated in the excursions with glee and enthusiasm, introducing an imaginary bubblegum band from 1971 who would be gigging in whatever city Arfur had chosen that day, usually supporting a local tribute artist or band from the same era. For example, if in Paris, Valentina Way would be supporting the French Beach Boys, 'Les Garcons de la Plage' (apologies Eric Idle for stealing this gag from 'The Rutles' movie!)

I ran with this flimsy gag (come on, what else was there to do?) and my 'band' would play gigs with 'Bambole di New York', the Italian New York Dolls, 'Kýlindroi Bay City', the Greek Bay City Rollers, 'Orkestra e Dritës Elektrike', the Albanian Electric Light Orchestra or 'šouadivadi', the Macedonain Showaddywaddy!

I digress ...

I decided Valentina Way needed a Christmas Song and came up with this ditty in a late 60's style and chord changes, with a simple wish of going for a night-time sleigh ride with Santa. Nothing more complicated than that! This version is my re-recorded effort from this year.

'Sleigh Ride' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize

Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize

(c) Richard Longley 2025

lyrics

Shut your eyes and count to ten

And hope he’ll come around again

On a frosty night

Hands together say your prayers

It’s time for bed go up the stairs

On a moonlit night

And I

I want a sleigh ride in the sky

Go hand in hand, just you and I

A Christmas sleigh ride in the sky

Once upon a time a story

Read throughout the years and told

In candlelight

Every boy and every girl

Who listens in around the world

With eyes so bright

And I

I want a sleigh ride in the sky

Go hand in hand, just you and I

A Christmas sleigh ride in the sky