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The New-England Boy's Song 
about Thanksgiving Day

Lydia Maria Child,
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 'tis Thanksgiving 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!"
Hurray 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 snowball,
And stay as long as we can.

Over the river and through 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 wood,
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,
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!
Hurray for the fun!  Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!


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Updated 18 May, 2005