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—
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,
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
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 barn-yard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow,—
It is so hard to wait!
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!
Lydia Maria Francis Child (1802-1880) was a rights activist. She fought against slavery, worked for the protection of women, and defended the rights of Native Americans. She wrote tracts, novels, how-to books, and poems. But this is the work most people remember.
One of her books that is interesting to look through is The Girl's Own Book, which was published in 1833, and which is filled with crafts, games, activities, and puzzles for girls in that day. The games are particularly interesting; some of them would make good party games even today. One of the riddles: Why is Ireland likely to become very rich? Because its capital is always Dublin.
