Over the river, and through the wood,

Grandmother Smith always loved this Thanksgiving song. She taught a verse or two to each of her classes each year. We would also sing it at home. Now, all these years later, this song always reminds me of her and of Thanksgiving. Her birthday was Novembe 26 and, depending on the year, it might actually fall on Thanksgiving. 

A Boy's Thanksgiving Day

by Lydia Maria Child.

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 woodoh,

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 the 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 Thanskgiving 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 huntinghound!

For 'tis 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 paw with a loud bowwow,

and thus the news he tells.

Over the river, and through the woodwhen

Grandmother sees us come,

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

bring pie for everyone."

Over the river, and through the woodnow

Grandmothers cap I spy!

Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?

Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Originally published in Flowers for Children, Vol. 2 in 1844, the poem has outshone the rest of the poems in that volume. 

Lydia Maria Child was one of the earliest American women to earn a living from her writing. She was the writer of one of the most popular domestic advice books, The Frugal Housewife, later renamed The American Frugal Housewife to distinguish it from a book published in England. She later published other advice books, including The Mother's Book , A Little Girl's Own Book and Juvenile Miscellany, an early American magazine for children. Her earliest novel, Hobomok, was one of the first American novels to depict pioneer life. When Maria turned to anti-slavery writing with her Appeal for the Class of Americans Called African, much of her devoted audience turned against her. Her most important contribution to history is probably The Appeal, but her poem about Thanksgiving is the best remembered.