Over the river, and through the wood, <br />To grandfather's house we go; <br />The horse knows the way, <br />To carry the sleigh, <br />Through the white and drifted snow. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />To grandfather's house away! <br />We would not stop <br />For doll or top, <br />For 't is Thanksgiving Day. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />Oh, how the wind does blow! <br />It stings the toes, <br />And bites the nose, <br />As over the ground we go. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />With a clear blue winter sky, <br />The dogs do bark, <br />And children hark, <br />As we go jingling by. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />To have a first-rate play- <br />Hear the bells ring <br />Ting a ling ding, <br />Hurra for Thanksgiving Day! <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood- <br />No matter for winds that blow; <br />Or if we get <br />The sleigh upset, <br />Into a bank of snow. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />To see little John and Ann; <br />We will kiss them all, <br />And play snow-ball, <br />And stay as long as we can. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />Trot fast, my dapple grey! <br />Spring over the ground, <br />Like a hunting hound, <br />For 't is Thanksgiving Day! <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood, <br />And straight through the barn-yard gate; <br />We seem to go <br />Extremely slow, <br />It is so hard to wait. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood- <br />Old Jowler hears our bells; <br />He shakes his pow, <br />With a loud bow wow, <br />And thus the news he tells. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood- <br />When grandmother sees us come, <br />She will say, Oh dear, <br />The children are here, <br />Bring a pie for every one. <br /> <br />Over the river, and through the wood- <br />Now grandmother's cap I spy! <br />Hurra for the fun! <br />Is the pudding done? <br />Hurra for the pumpkin pie!<br /><br />Lydia Maria Francis Child<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-new-england-boy-s-song-about-thanksgiving-day/
