Over the River and Through the Wood

A winter fun song from 1844 that mentions Thanksgiving.
words by Lydia Maria Child
music by unknown

Accompaniment:

Over-the-River-and-Through-the-Wood – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  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
  2. 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
  3. Over the river and through the wood, when Grandmother sees 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

Sung here by Fred Feild: