Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

THE NEW ENGLAND BOY'S SONG

ABOUT THANKSGIVING DAY

by Lydia Maria Child

ca.1845

Over the river, and through the wood,

To grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way,

To carry the sleigh,

Through the white and drifted snow .

Over the river, and through the wood,

To grandfather's house away !

We would not stop

For doll or top,

For 't is Thaksgiving day .

Over the river, and through the wood,

Oh, how the wind does blow !

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go .

Over the river, and through the wood,

With a clear blue winter sky,

The dogs do bark,

And children hark,

As we go jingling by .

Over the river, and through the wood,

To have a first-rate play—

Hear the bells ring

Ting a ling ding,

Hurra for Thanksgiving day !

Over the river, and through the wood—

No matter for winds that blow;

Or if we get

The sleigh upset,

Into a bank of snow .

Over the river, and through the wood,

To see little John and Ann;

We will kiss them all,

And play snow-ball

And stay as long as we can .

Over the river, and through the wood,

Trot fast, my dapple grey !

Spring over the ground,

Like a hunting hound,

For 't is Thanksgiving day !

Over the river, and through the wood,

And straight through the barn-yard gate;

We seem to go

Extremely slow,

It is so hard to wait .

Over the river, and through the wood—

Old Jowler hears our bells;

He shakes his pow,

With a loud bow wow,

And thus the news he tells .

Over the river, and through the wood—

When grandmother sees us come,

She will say, Oh dear,

The children are here,

Bring a pie for every one .

Over the river, and through the wood—

Now grandmother's cap I spy !

Hurra for the fun !

Is the pudding done ?

Hurra for the pumpkin pie !

~*~

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Lana

~*~