Over the river and through the wood, to Grandmother'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-ling." 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 - now Grandmother's cap I spy. Hurrah for the fun, is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! -- Lydia Maria Child |
When all the leaves are off the boughs, and nuts and apples gathered in, And cornstalks waiting for the cows, and pumpkins safe in barn and bin, Grandmother says, "My children dear, the fields are brown, and autumn flies; Thanksgiving Day is very near, and we must make thanksgiving pies!" -- Author Unknown |
The year has turned its circle, the seasons come and go. The harvest all is gathered in and chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, fields, their yellow grain, So, open wide the doorway...Thanksgiving comes again! -- Old Rhyme |
To the Pilgrims The breaking waves dash'd high on a stern and rock-bound coast, And the woods against a stormy sky, their giant branches toss'd. And the heavy night hung dark, the hills and waters o''er, When a band of exiles moor'd their bark on the wild New England shore. Amidst the storm they sang, and the stars heard, and the sea; And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang to the anthem of the free. The ocean eagle soared from his nest by the white wave's foam, And the rocking pines of the forest roared, this was their welcome home. -- Felicia Dorothea Hemans, 1808 |
Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in early colonial times in New England. The actual origin, however, is probably the harvest festivals that are traditional in many parts of the world After the first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists in 1621, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by the colonists and neighboring Native Americans. In 1623, a day of fasting and prayer during a period of drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because the rain came during the prayers. Gradually, the custom prevailed in New England of annually celebrating thanksgiving after the harvest. During the American Revolution, a yearly day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom and by the middle of the 19th century, many other states had done the same. In 1863, Pres. Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving and since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, generally designating the fourth Thursday of November as a holiday. Thanksgiving is a holiday in Canada, as well, celebrated since 1957, on the second Monday in October. Observance of the day began in 1879. -- From Wikipedia |
Thanksgiving Comes Again |
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