Over the river and thru the woods,
To grandmother's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.
Over the river and thru the woods,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river and through the woods,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow
It is so hard to wait!
Over the river and through the wood --
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
This has always been one of my favorite songs for this time of year. I remember singing it going to my Grandma Black’s house when I was little. It was also on the Thanksgiving special for Charley Brown. You all know I love Hymn stories, but I had never found the story about this one until very recently.
The lyrics were actually written as a poem first. It was printed in a book of poems called Flowers for Children in 1844, the title of the poem was called “A Boy’s Thanksgiving.” The author was named Lydia Maria Child. She was one of the very first women to support herself as a writer. In her time she was more famous for a very popular book The American Frugal Housewife. She also published a magazine for children. In this magazine she rewrote the poem and called it “A Boy’s Christmas,” that is why this song is also heard at Christmas time and Thanksgiving Day is removed and Christmas Day is inserted.
Mrs. Child was a very interesting lady. She strongly believed that we are all created in God’s image. She used her writing talents to help in this cause. Before the Civil War she wrote anti-Slavery tracts. After the war she helped publish The Freedmen’s Book to help the released slave learn how to read. She also worked for Native Americans and their equal rights. She even wrote a book with the hero as a Native American during the Indian wars. Later in life, she wrote about religion and Inspirational essays.
I think it is encouraging to see someone with talent use it for God’s purpose. I wish more people would do what Mrs. Child did.
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