Favorite Thanksgiving Songs

Singing for holidays is a tradition passed down from parents to children. The most famous being Christmas carols sang during the Christmas season. Thanksgiving, also, has songs special for the celebration of it.

One of the favorites for Thanksgiving is "Over the River and Through the Wood." I remember learning and singing this when I was a kid in grade-school. And, it was special because we always went to my grand-parents house for Thanksgiving. Now my house is the one my children and grandchildren come home to. I hope my grandchildren enjoy this song. The lyrics were written by Lydia Maria Child. The tune is traditional.

"Over the river and through the wood

To Grandfather's house we go

The horse knows the way

To carry the sleigh

Through white and drifted snow..."

"Grandma Stuffed the Turkey" is a favorite of children. My children and grandchildren like to occupy themselves and entertain the grownups with singing while the food preparations are being made.

"Then the Turkey Sure Stuffed Us"

by Ronald J. Euliano ©1997

Chorus:

"Grandma stuffed the turkey

Then the turkey sure stuffed us.

Brussel sprouts, turnips,

And her fresh cut asparagus,

Her pumpkin and apple pies

Make with her famous crust;

Yea, Grandma stuffed the turkey,

Then the turkey sure stuffed us."

"We Gather Together" is often sung at churches. It is also a very good song to be used at the beginning or end of the meal blessing. It is easy to remember and easy to sing. In the early 1600s, Dutch settlers brought the Prayer of Thanksgiving to the "New World". Music, based on a Netherlands folk hymn, was added and it became a favorite in the colonies and today is a traditional Thanksgiving hymn. This a translation by Theodore Baker (1851-1934).

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;

He chastens and hastens his will to make known;

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,

Sing praises to his name: He forgets not his own."

There are many religious songs that are appropriate for Thanksgiving. Including,

"Faith of Our Fathers"; Lyrics Frederick W. Farber, 1814-1863; Music: Henry F. Hemy, 1818-1888s

First verse:

"Faith of our fathers! Living still

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

O how our hearts beat high with joy

When we hear that glorious word!

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death

Come, Ye Thankful People Come"

Sir George J. Elvey (1816-1893), organist at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle for nearly fifty years, wrote the music to the well-loved Thanksgiving hymn about 1844. The lyrics are by Henry Alford (1810-1871).

"Come ye thankful people come,

Raise the song of harvest home!

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin;

God our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied:

Come to God's own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest home."

"Fly Turkey", "Turkey Hunt", "Scarecrow" by Geof Johnson, "Turkey Trot" by Ron Brown and Pilgrim Children by M. Ryan Taylor are all cute and fun songs for children.

Full lyrics are available at http://www.songsforteaching.com/thanksgivingsongs/
http://www.thanksgivingnovember.com/thanksgiving-songs/index.html