Over the River and Through the Woods has its roots in Thanksgiving, with the original version by Lydia Maria Child published in 1844. The lyrics are the author’s own recollections of visiting family during childhood at Thanksgiving. It was first written as a poem titled “The New England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day” and at a later date, music was added by an unknown source.
Although its primary purpose is to celebrate Thanksgiving, the lyrics are sometimes changed to “Christmas Day” instead, especially outside the US. It is not known widely around the world like some of the other American classics due to the specificity of the holiday date which is unique to America.
The phrase “over the river and through the woods” is also used now to refer to a task that is very difficult to complete all thanks to this song. Although the common phrase in the song speaks of grandmother’s house, the original words were actually grandfather.
Over the River and Through the Woods Lyrics
Over the river and through the woods,
To grandfather’s* house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.
Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the woods,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river and through the woods,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!
Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
Over the River and Through the Woods Music Sheet
