Over the River and Through the Wood

[3] The poem was originally published as "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day" in Child's Flowers for Children.

Lydia Maria Child was a novelist, journalist, teacher, and poet who wrote extensively about the need to eliminate slavery.

Although the modern Thanksgiving holiday is not always associated with snow (snow in late November occasionally occurs in the northern states and is rare at best elsewhere in the United States), New England in the early 19th century was enduring the Little Ice Age, a colder era with earlier winters.

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.

The following verses appear in a "long version": 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, 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.

Fred Waring recorded a greatly expanded suite bookended by the song, Grandma's Thanksgiving, in 1947.

Grandma's Thanksgiving became a radio tradition on WBEN in Buffalo, New York under host Clint Buehlman.