Thanksgiving Poetry Special

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!  We're gonna make today's class quick, because we all have someplace we need to go today for our Thanksgiving celebration. 

"Yeah, I gotta get to my grandma's house!"

"Isn't there a song that goes 'Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go'?"

Yeah! I learned that song on "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!"

Yes, that song was written by Maria Lydia Child in 1844, and that's the poem of the day!  However, Maria Lydia's original version says, "To Grandfather's house we go!"  …It's exactly the same, except the words "Grandfather" and "Grandmother" are switched around!  So feel free to switch them back around if you want.  …Nevertheless, here's the extended edition of this timeless thanksgiving song...

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Over the River and Through the Wood, Maria Lydia Child, 1844

Part 1:

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—

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—

When Grandmother saw us come,

She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,

bring a pie for everyone."

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!

Part 2:

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!",

Hurrah 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-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound!

For 'tis Thanksgiving Day.

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.

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…And that's today's poem!  For your homework, simply share this song with your families and friends today while you celebrate!  I'm sure they will ALL be thankful to hear it.  -That's it for today, class!  And have a VERY Happy Thanksgiving!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_River_and_Through_the_Wood